Friday Night Jewish Wedding Ceremony

by Jewish Bride

Q: I am thinking about having a Friday night ceremony and reception, but have not booked it yet. It would be about 6:30pm in the summer, before sunset- but will I be able to find a Rabbi to have the ceremony? We are both Jewish and would like a Rabbi for the ceremony.



A: Dear Bride-to-Be:

Thank you for your question.

Mazel Tov!

Having a Jewish wedding ceremony about 1-1/2 hours before Shabbat may or may not be a problem depending on the Rabbi that officiates your wedding ceremony.

There are Rabbis' with congregations and will have congregational responsibilities. Most likely they will not be available. The summer time, most congregational Rabbis are officially on vacation and or traveling on a congregational trip to Israel.

Then there are the independent Rabbis' that do not have a congregation with congregational responsibilities. Not necessarily on vacation.

Though I cannot speak for all Rabbis', you would want to consider the Rabbi's observance of Shabbat and possibly compromise a little on the start time of your ceremony by making it earlier. This offers the Rabbi enough time to officiate your Jewish Wedding ceremony without rushing and being able to travel back for observance of Shabbat.

You will most likely want to find a Rabbi that does not have to travel too far to your ceremony location. This will reduce the travel time for the Rabbi and his/her observance of Shabbat becomes a non-issue.

Also, you will want to take into consideration of your invited guests. If they observe Shabbat, they most likely will not be able to attend your wedding ceremony and the celebration reception that follows. It will all depend on the location and the distance of traveling for them as well.

With the right planning, consideration of those involved, I am sure it will all work out for you and your fiance'.

All my best,
Rabbi Andrea Frank