|
|
|Back|
Jewish Wedding Traditions
Marriage is considered
a holy institution in most religions and especially so in Judaism, where
a wedding is considered as the coming together of two halves of one
soul. Jewish wedding traditions date back thousands of years and consist
of many meaningful sacred customs that are practiced to this day. In
fact, the very name for marriage in Hebrew is “kiddushin” which means
“sanctification.”
Traditional Jewish wedding ceremonies are initiated with the signing of
the marriage contract known as Ketubah by the bride and groom. This is
usually a beautiful and ornate document that outlines the duties and
expectations of a married couple. It is later framed and displayed in
the new home of the couple.
After signing the Ketubah, the groom looks at the bride’s face and then
lowers her wedding veil. This wedding custom is related to the biblical
chronicle where Jacob married the wrong woman because her face was
concealed behind a veil.
The beginning of the wedding is marked by a procession of the wedding
party members towards the wedding site. Then the parents of the bride as
well as the groom escort them down the aisle to a canopy, know as the
Chuppah, where the actual ceremony is performed. The Chuppah is meant to
embody the presence, protection and shelter of God.
According to Jewish tradition, the wedding ring should be a flawless
band minus any details, engravings or stones, such that there is nothing
to differentiate the beginning from the end.
After the wedding vows have been exchanged, the rabbi reads seven
marriage blessings or Sheva B’rachot to the bride and groom. In the
final stages of benediction, it is customary to drape the couple in two
prayer shawls, know as tallitot, around their shoulders. This is a sign
of the private Jewish life the couple is expected to live together.
Following this, the groom steps on a wine glass, which marks the
conclusion of the ceremony and symbolizes the fragility of human
happiness.
Immediately after the end of the ceremony, the bride and groom are given
a few moments time to be alone with each other so that they may relax
and embrace each other. This tradition is known as Vichud and it is
observed to give the newly-wed couple a special few moments alone
together before the reception.
Jewish law brings together the entire community to wish the bride and
the groom joy and happiness. The couple is expected to live each day of
their marriage by loving and adjusting with each other in order to
establish the foundation for a faithful Jewish home that is Bavis
Ne’eman B’Yisrael.
Thus a Jewish wedding is indeed a very beautiful and elaborate affair
that involves many colorful traditions that gives all those present at
the wedding a wonderful memory to cherish for life.
|
Featured Product:
The Wedding
Dance Mastery System
|
