Jewish Ceremony, Jewish Wedding Part II
The wedding day ceremonies are in three parts. Ketubah Signing The Ketubah -- the Jewish wedding contract -- is signed. Today, the modern Ketubah is signed by two appointed witnesses, who are not blood related family members to the bride and groom. The traditional Ketubah text talks about the groom's financial responsibilities to the bride, as well as his obligation to respect her and provide for her needs. The modern Ketubah texts feature poetic words about love and commitment. As well as the significant information of the wedding date in both English and Hebrew. A Ketubah is often a beautiful lithograph that a couple frames and displays in their home as a piece of custom wedding art. It is taught to adorn your home with Judaica. The tradition of the Ketubah signing is usually a private ceremony between the bride, groom and their parents. I advise my couples to make the Ketubah signing part of the ceremony with their guests. The Ketubah signing is a significant element of a Jewish Ceremony. The bride and groom are married according to Jewish Law. Have your guests gather in an area where your Ketubah signing ceremony can take place in a half circle where all can view this beautiful ceremony. A small table and festive pen is all that is needed along with the Ketubah of course. The bridesmaids escort the bride and lead her to the side of the Rabbi and the Ketubah. The groom will then be escorted by his groomsmen and be presented to his bride. Music will enhance this moment by using a professional musician. A violinist playing a Jewish melody would keep the theme of your day. Involving guests in this ritual will add a meaningful moment for them all. When the bride first sees her bridegroom and visa versa, it will be quite emotional. This is a moment that will not be forgotten by the bride, her groom and guests. After the signing of the Ketubah, in the same place, the Badeken, (the veiling of the bride by her bridegroom), takes place. The Rabbi assists the groom in reciting a specific blessing to his bride and then lowers the veil. Today, the modern ceremonies are balanced with the bride's placing a wedding kippah on her bridegroom’s head. I instruct my couples to include a white wedding Kippah /Yarlmulka for the bridegroom to receive from his bride. The original meaning of the Badeken represents the Biblical story of Jacob and Rachel, when after their wedding; Jacob found that he had actually married Leah, Rachel's sister. So now, to make sure the groom has the right bride, he lowers the bride’s veil himself. Also, at this time, a couple’s parents will recite a blessing to their children and their new daughter-n-law and or son-n-law. Chuppah (also known as wedding canopy) The guests are instructed to take their seats for the Jewish ceremony under the Chuppah. Depending on the planning, the Chuppah can be designed by the florist which is usually stationary and in place. If the bride and groom plan for a more traditional Jewish ceremony Chuppah, then it can be walked down the aisle as part of the processional. Having a personalized Chuppah can become a family heirloom and past down to the next generation for their Jewish ceremony under the Chuppah. The bride and groom then take part in two marriage ceremonies under the Chuppah. It symbolizes the home that the bride and groom will make together. The Chuppah is open on all four sides to show that their home will be a place for guests to visit -- like Abraham's tent in the days of the Bible. Kiddushin The first part of the Jewish ceremony is called Kiddushin. The bride and groom are welcomed into the Chuppah, with blessings recited by the Rabbi. The bride and groom approach the Chuppah separately, accompanied by their respective parents. The groom is escorted to and stands with them under the Chuppah. The bride is escorted down the aisle and stops in the middle. The parents or honored relatives walk ahead and take their place under the Chuppah on the right side. The groom standing under the Chuppah leaves to greet and escort his bride to the Chuppah. The rabbi recites two blessings over the wine. For guests, they will notice the bride stands on the right side of her groom under the Chupah, both facing the rabbi. Why does the bride stand on the groom's right side under the Chupah for their Jewish Ceremony? The position of the bride on the right side of the groom is based on an interpretation of a verse in Psalms (45:10) "The queen stands on your right hand in fine gold of Ophir." In Jewish tradition the bride is a queen, and the groom a king. The Ring Ceremony is part of the Kiddushin. The exchange of rings is the central act of the marriage ceremony. In Jewish law, a verbal declaration of marriage is not legally binding. There must be an act of formal physical acquisition of some object of known value. This answers the every popular question, "why does the groom place the ring on the bride's index finger?" It symbolizes the acceptance of the object from the groom to his bride and honoring Jewish law. During the ring ceremony, the groom places a plain gold ring onto the bride's index finger of her right hand. Judaism states it is the index finger of the bride that is closest to the heart. The bride then places a ring on the ring finger of the groom. This is honoring contemporary life and equality with couples today joining in marriage. The use of plain gold rings, owned by family members of the groom, without gems reflect the unbroken circle that represents a pure and eternal union. It would not be a blessing to use rings of a couple that have divorced. Then, the Ketubah is recognized aloud during this time in the ceremony and that it has been witnessed, signed by both the bride and her bridegroom. Nisuin The second part of the Jewish ceremony is called Nisuin. A second cup of wine is poured, and the Sheva B’rachot (seven blessings) is either sung or recited. These blessings praise God for creating human beings, and for making the groom and bride as happy as Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden. The blessings declare, 'The sound of joy, the sound of celebration, the voice of the groom, the voice of the bride. After the blessings, the bride and groom drink the wine. There are times couples wish for family members to recite the Sheva B’rachot, offering a more personalized wedding ceremony. Your Officiant will chant each of the blessings and have a family member recite them in English. It allows all who are present to understand the blessings since it is common for most guests, including the bride and groom not able to translate Hebrew. No worries, a Rabbi is well aware of this and will recite both English and Hebrew for couple's Jewish ceremony. Breaking of the Wineglass Then comes the part where the groom breaks the glass with his foot at the conclusion of the Jewish ceremony. It reminds us of the destruction of the Holy Temple. The breaking of the glass also is a warning of the frailty of a marriage. That sometimes a single thoughtless act, breech of trust, or infidelity can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo - just as it would be so difficult to undo the breaking of this glass. Knowing that this marriage is permanent, the bride and groom should strive to show each other the love and respect befitting their spouse and love of their life. Once the glass is broken, the guests rejoice, 'Mazel Tov!' The shards of glass can be saved and placed in a piece of art and displayed in the bride and groom’s home. View available Breaking Glass styles to purchase from a reputable online Judaica retailer. Yichud After the ceremony, the bride and groom are required to have time alone away from family and guests to reflect on what just took place - marriage. Depending where the ceremony takes place, there may not be a room nearby. The couple can go off to the side and share a special moment. At this time, they can exchange the rings that are adorned with stones (diamonds) and will wear forever. The rings used in the ceremony are often returned to the groom’s family members. This concludes the order of the Jewish wedding ceremony Part II. Enjoy your wedding reception and keep the Jewish theme going to the last dance.
Some Rabbis will wrap together the bride and groom by a single tallit (prayer shawl) and offer a personal, private blessing including the priestly blessings for the wedding couple. The tallit represents the number 32, which is the number of fringes on the tallit shawl. The number 32 is the numerical value for heart in Hebrew. For Weekday Jewish Weddings Tuesday would be the “chosen day” of the week to have a Jewish wedding. Tuesday is the third day of creation, and in the Torah it is repeated twice: "and G-d saw how good it was".
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