According to the Torah, the notion of marriage dates back to Adam and Eve. It is interesting to note that some believe God actually officiated at the marriage between Adam and Eve. As such it accentuates the important place weddings hold in Judaic life. Moreover one of the mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah is to be fruitful and multiply.
In ancient times marriage was actually the reserving of a woman, for in those days women were considered more like property. In the times of the Bible, marriages were more of an arrangement. While romantic love did exist, parents generally sought out appropriate mates for their children. This practice of arranging unions, between men and women led to the notion of shadchan or matchmaker. In keeping with the concept of women being more like property, the man wishing to marry a daughter paid a sum of money (bride price) to the father for the daughter.
After all women were able to make a home and work very hard, and if a father was now going to lose his daughter, he should be compensated. As time passed the (bride price) became more symbolic and the money was used to purchase the trousseau. The exchange of rings has also developed from the practice of monetary compensation for the bride. The ring, symbolizing value, is given to the bride. Today, the ring also represents a never ending circle similar to a never ending love/marriage.
A wedding cannot occur on certain days of the Jewish Calendar. For example, one cannot get married on Shabbat, the holidays, nor days of fasting. Traditionally Jewish people would wear white at their wedding to symbolize purity. The Shabbat before the wedding, the groom (and bride in liberal settings) is called up to read the blessings over the Torah. This ceremony is called the aufruf.
In addition to the traditional rituals that take place before the wedding, there are key symbols that are associated with the actual wedding day. The huppah (marriage canopy) that we see today is based on the ritual practiced in ancient times where a bride was escorted by the groom to a special room where the couple was able to be alone. A huppah can be a tallit or a velvet cloth. friends of the couple use four poles to support and hold the covering over the Rabbi and couple during the ceremony.
There are many other rituals that Jewish people may complete depending on the sect of Judaism they practice. For example, Orthodox Jews have the bride circle the man seven times during the ceremony in an attempt to symbolize the courting of a man.
Similarly in an Orthodox or Conservative ceremony the Ketubah or marriage contract is read aloud and signed. The Ketubah serves to protect the rights of the bride and ensure her interests are protected.
The Jewish wedding is divided into two parts - the betrothal or sanctification, and the marriage, which is the consumation of the betrothal.
For the betrothal, the groom places a ring on the finger of the bride and says to her: "Be sanctified to me with this ring in accordance with the law of Moses and Israel." Once she consents she has become his wife and the consumation of the marriage takes place as the newly weds stand under a chupah or special wedding covering. This cupah symbolizes the consummation of the marriage.
Seven blessings are read out to the newly married couple over a cup of wine, from which they both drink. An ornately designed wedding contract, known as a ketuba, which was drawn up before the ceremony is read aloud. This contract is traditionally a prenuptial agreement, outlining the responsibilities of the groom to his bride, to protect her in case of divorce.
At the conclusion of the wedding ceremony the groom traditionally crushes a small glass wrapped in a napkin under his foot. This is done to recall the destruction of the Second Temple, indicating that even at the hour of their greatest joy they bride and groom should not forget this enormous tragedy that befell their people.
The ceremony is followed by a festive meal, which in turn is accompanied by music, dancing and expressions of joy by all who are in attendance. More information ....
 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. |
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. |
Ketubah - At the reception itself, the first thing usually done is the completion, signing and witnessing of the ketubah, or marriage contract. |
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." |
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. |
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." |
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. |
Cheder yichud - Now that the couple are married they are accompanied by dancing guests to the cheder yichud, "the room of privacy." |
Jewish Wedding Ring
Marriage/Wedding |
According to the Torah, the notion of marriage dates back to Adam and Eve. It is interesting to note that some believe God actually officiated at the marriage between Adam and Eve. As such it accentuates the important place weddings hold in Judaic life. Moreover one of the mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah is to be fruitful and multiply.
In ancient times marriage was actually the reserving of a woman, for in those days women were considered more like property. In the times of the Bible, marriages were more of an arrangement. While romantic love did exist, parents generally sought out appropriate mates for their children. This practice of arranging unions, between men and women led to the notion of shadchan or matchmaker. In keeping with the concept of women being more like property, the man wishing to marry a daughter paid a sum of money (bride price) to the father for the daughter.
After all women were able to make a home and work very hard, and if a father was now going to lose his daughter, he should be compensated. As time passed the (bride price) became more symbolic and the money was used to purchase the trousseau. The exchange of rings has also developed from the practice of monetary compensation for the bride. The ring, symbolizing value, is given to the bride. Today, the ring also represents a never ending circle similar to a never ending love/marriage.
A wedding cannot occur on certain days of the Jewish Calendar. For example, one cannot get married on Shabbat, the holidays, nor days of fasting. Traditionally Jewish people would wear white at their wedding to symbolize purity. The Shabbat before the wedding, the groom (and bride in liberal settings) is called up to read the blessings over the Torah. This ceremony is called the aufruf.
In addition to the traditional rituals that take place before the wedding, there are key symbols that are associated with the actual wedding day. The huppah (marriage canopy) that we see today is based on the ritual practiced in ancient times where a bride was escorted by the groom to a special room where the couple was able to be alone. A huppah can be a tallit or a velvet cloth. friends of the couple use four poles to support and hold the covering over the Rabbi and couple during the ceremony.
There are many other rituals that Jewish people may complete depending on the sect of Judaism they practice. For example, Orthodox Jews have the bride circle the man seven times during the ceremony in an attempt to symbolize the courting of a man.
Similarly in an Orthodox or Conservative ceremony the Ketubah or marriage contract is read aloud and signed. The Ketubah serves to protect the rights of the bride and ensure her interests are protected. |
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The Jewish wedding 