Jewish Wedding Ceremony Program
In addition to prayers, remarks and readings, a Jewish wedding ceremony is filled with special rituals. Each tradition has particular symbolism and meaning for the couple and the congregation gathered to witness the union. The number and detail of the rituals performed during the ceremony will differ depending on the denomination of Judaism--Orthodox, Conservative or Reform--practiced by the couple.
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The Huppah
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A "huppah," or a wedding canopy, is one of the most recognizable elements of a Jewish wedding ceremony. The huppah is made up of four poles with a prayer shawl or other piece of fabric stretched between them. Often the couple will use a cloth that has a special significance, such as a family heirloom, to construct the huppah. The huppah symbolizes the couple's home and must be large enough to cover the bride, groom and rabbi. The sides of the huppah are left open to symbolize the importance of the community to the couple.
Pre-Ceremony
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Before a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony begins, the groom may present a lecture on the week's Torah reading for his male family and friends. The lecture, or "tish," is intended to be fun, silly and a way for the groom to relax.
Just before the ceremony starts, the couple (or, in Orthodox communities, just the groom) will sign a "ketubah." According to Rabbi Devon A. Lerner, the original purpose of the ketubah was to outline the rights and obligations of the bride and groom--much like a prenuptial agreement. A modern ketubah will likely focus on the couple's personal commitment to each other, and the couple might frame a decorative ketubah to hang as artwork in their home.
During the "b'deken," or veiling of the bride, the groom covers the bride's face. The ritual is intended to show that the groom is most interested in the bride's inner beauty. Some brides may also place a yarmulke on the groom's head at this time.
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Processionals and Recessionals
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During a Jewish wedding ceremony, the groom's family and friends sit on the left side of the sanctuary and the bride's family and friends sit on the right side of the sanctuary (with left and right determined by facing the front of the sanctuary). As the service begins, the rabbi enters first, followed by the grandparents of the bride, grandparents of the groom, the groomsmen, the best man, the groom with his parents, the bridesmaids, the ring bearer and/or flower girl and the bride with her parents. The order is reversed for the recessional at the end of the ceremony, but the groomsmen escort the bridesmaids up the aisle.
Wedding Blessings
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In addition to the customary prayers recited during a Jewish religious service, the rabbi or family and friends of the bride and groom recite a special set of seven blessings, known as the "sheva b'rachot," during the wedding ceremony. According to Rabbi Lerner, the seven blessings offer praise for wine (known as the "Kiddush"), the earth, humanity, the creation of man and woman in God's image, the miracle of birth, bringing the bride and groom together, and the joy of the couple and the hope for a world filled with joy and children. The blessings are normally recited in both Hebrew and English.
Exchange of Vows and Rings
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According to theknot.com, a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony does not contain an exchange of vows. Rather, promises between the bride and the groom are understood to be an unspoken part of the ceremony, and the marriage vow is complete when the groom places a ring on the bride's finger and recites a prayer: "Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring, according to the laws of Moses and Israel." In modern Jewish wedding ceremonies, the bride will repeat the same words as she places a ring on the groom's finger.
Post-Ceremony
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The groom stomps on a glass--and the congregation shouts "Mazel Tov!"--to mark the conclusion of the Jewish wedding ceremony. Traditionally, the breaking of the glass symbolizes the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. According to Rabbi Lerner, the broken glass also symbolizes the fragility of human relationships, and the act of breaking the glass carries an implied prayer that the couple's marriage shall never break. Just after the ceremony, the newly married couple may seclude themselves for a short period of time, called the yichud, before joining their guests to celebrate the union at the reception.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit wedding cake image by Anna Mironova from Fotolia.com
