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Jewish
Wedding Traditions |
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 A
traditional Jewish wedding
is full of meaningful
rituals, giving expression
to the deepest
significance and purpose
of marriage. These rituals
symbolize the beauty of
the relationship of
husband and wife, as well
as their obligations to
each other and to the
Jewish people.
In traditional Jewish
literature marriage is
actually called kiddushin,
which translates as
"sanctification" or
"dedication."
"Sanctification,".
Shidduch - The very
first stage of a
traditional Jewish
marriage, is the shidduch,
or matchmaking. |
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When the families have
met, and the young couple
have decided to marry, the
families usually announce
the occasion with a small
reception, known as a vort. |
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Ketubah - At the
reception itself, the
first thing usually done
is the completion, signing
and witnessing of the
ketubah, or marriage
contract. |
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Bedekin - After the
signing of the ketuvah,
which is usually
accompanied by some light
snacks and some hard
liquor for the traditional
lechaims (the Jewish
salute when drinking,
which means, "to life!"),
the groom does the bedekin,
or "veiling." |
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Chuppah - The next
stage is known as the
chuppah, or "canopy." The
chuppah is a embroidered
cloth stretched or
supported over four poles,
and is often carried by
attendants to the location
where the ceremony will
take place. It is meant to
symbolize the home which
the couple will build
together. Embroidered
cloth usually used is a
tallit. |
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Kiddushin - The
groom, now takes a gold
ring and places it on the
finger of the bride, and
recites in the presence of
two witnesses, "Behold you
are sanctified (betrothed)
to me with this ring,
according to the Law of
Moses and Israel." |
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Sheva Brachos -
After this, the sheva
brachos, or seven
blessings, are recited,
either by one Rabbi, or at
many weddings a different
blessing is given to
various people the
families wish to honor. |
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Cheder yichud - Now
that the couple are
married they are
accompanied by dancing
guests to the cheder
yichud, "the room of
privacy." |
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