Jewish Wedding
|
A Jewish Wedding ceremony can take place after the marriage license waiting period. (see below)Congratulations! You’re engaged to be married - so joyful for you both.
Your families are so happy; you are going to have a Jewish Wedding! It is a wonderful Simcha in Jewish tradition. I provided some information below that could be helpful so that both of you are not too overwhelmed. As the planning of your wedding day shifts into high gear, remember this most important message. Your wedding day is a reflection of your marriage. Your marriage lasts longer than your wedding day. Your wedding will be memorable because it is your wedding with family and friends to share your day. Plan the details, try to keep the stress level under control and look to your future with your life partner.
A New York State marriage license is valid for 60 days from the time a couple receives the license? However, a couple must wait a full 24 hours before their marriage ceremony can be performed. (Exception: active military personnel are extended to 180 days).
Marriage license's are required by secular law. Ketubah's are required by Jewish law.
See New York State's "Getting Married in New York" web site for additional information.
Did You Know?
A couple can have a Jewish Wedding ceremony any day of the week. According to the laws of Judaism, throughout each Hebrew Calendar year there are specific days when a couple cannot be married as well as on specific Jewish Holidays including Shabbat.
If couples decide to have a weekday Jewish Wedding, Tuesday would be the “chosen day” of the week. Tuesday is the third day of creation, and in the Torah it is repeated twice: "and G-d saw how good it was".
For those couples choosing to have a wedding on a Saturday would have to wait until sundown, which is when Shabbat ends. Jewish law prohibits combining a holy day with the joy and celebration of betrothal. They are to be observed individually.
Sundown times varies according to the Hebrew Calendar. As most know, in late fall the sun sets earlier and in late spring the sun sets later. Shabbat candle lighting times for the different time zones will be the best guide to when sundown begins and ends. This can be found on within a Jewish Hebrew Calendar. Contact Rabbi A. Frank if you need assistance for when sundown sets on Shabbat for a Saturday evening Jewish wedding.
The weekend wedding was originated due to many couples and their guests having weekly obligations i.e. work, school age children etc.
Elements for Jewish Wedding Ceremonies
- Bride and Groom to-be
- Marriage License
- (2) Kiddush cups (wine cups, wine goblets)1
- White wine
- A Chuppah (wedding canopy) & 4 poles 2
- Ketubah3
- Plain wedding bands (rings)4
- Both Hebrew names5
- (2) Witnesses6
- Over sized Tallit (prayer shawl)7
- Breakable wine cup wrapped in cloth
1Kiddush Cups (two wine cups, wine goblets) - wine is a central feature during a Jewish ceremony. Two physical bodies will elevate their relationship to the spiritual level. (Actually, 2 wine cups. One old representing your either of the bride or bridegroom's family tree and one new for the bride and bridegroom's union.)
2 A Chuppah - The marriage ceremony is conducted under a marriage canopy. There are two meanings for a Chuppah.The Kallah (bride) and Katan (bridegroom) standing under the Chuppah recite sacred vows to each other. Making the wedding ceremony spiritual.
It symbolizes both the new household the bride and bridegroom are forming and represents the public recognition of their new status as man and wife. The Jewish home is filled with acts of love. Read one brides touching Chupah Story
3 Ketubah - The Jewish Wedding Contract between bridegroom and bride.
4 Wedding Rings - plain gold bands. This symbolizes the wholeness and eternity of one’s commitment to one’s spouse. (The rings should belong to the bridegroom's family providing the marriage of that couple did not end in divorce.)
5 Hebrew Names - Hebrew names is a person's link to their family tree, their heritage.
Your Hebrew name has 5 elements:
1. Your Hebrew name
2. bar/bat (son of/daughter of)
3. Your father's Hebrew name
4. ve (and)
5. Your mother's Hebrew name
6 Witnesses - 2 Jewish witnesses are needed to sign the Ketubah (cannot be an immediate family member). A cousin is acceptable. Your marriage license witness' do not need to be Jewish.
7 Over sized Tallit (prayer shawl) - 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.
Jewish Wedding article now has a Part II - the Order of the Jewish Ceremony
View the Hebrew Calendar's Cycle of Jewish Holidays when planning your Jewish Wedding
Read one bride's touching Chupah Story
Ketubah - read its history and view samples
Find the Best Wedding Dress Advice - Click Here
Need Wedding Reception Assistance - Click Here
"Two Kiddush cups for your Jewish Wedding Ceremony will be memorable when one of them is an heirloom from either of your families"
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWeb
