What Do Jews Call Marriage?

Jewish marriage is a sacred and religious institution in Israel, with all marriages conducted according to Orthodox Judaism. The rabbinate does not recognize these marriages as Jewish. A traditional Jewish wedding, called a chatunah, is a tapestry woven from various threads, including biblical, historical, mystical, cultural, and legal aspects. The rituals associated with Jewish weddings begin with the tenaim ceremony, which involves breaking a plate to symbolize the destruction of the temples. The reading of the ketubah serves as a divider between the betrothal and marriage ceremonies. The nissuin ceremony involves the recitation of seven blessings, called the sheva berakhot.

Marriage is a covenant made by breaking or cutting something, and at a wedding, broken glass “cuts” the covenant. Breaking the glass also has sexual connotations, as it prefigures the release of sexual union. In Jewish tradition, the bride and groom do not embark on a honeymoon immediately after the wedding; they remain for a full week to celebrate. The Shiv’at Y’mei Mishteh, or Seven Days of Feasting, are believed to have been ordained by Moses and go back to patriarchal times.

The Bible has no single word for marriage, but the codes define it by these two categories: ishut and kiddushin, persons and process. Judaism believes in the concept of soul mates, called bashert, and that marriage is not solely for procreation but for companionship, love, and intimacy. The ceremony includes two distinct rituals: the betrothal (kiddushin) and the completion of the marriage itself (niusin).

What do Jews say when they get married?

Mazel tov! Mazel tov! is a Jewish wedding tradition. Once the ceremony is over, guests will cheer Mazel tov! Mazel tov means good luck or congratulations. It means wishing the person good luck or a great future. Mazel tov is the perfect thing to say at a wedding!

Yichud. After the ceremony, couples spend at least eight minutes alone. This wedding custom lets the newly married couple reflect on their new relationship and bond. The bride and groom also share their first meal together as husband and wife during the yichud. Meals vary from community to community. They can range from golden soup to chocolate chip cookies.

Hora and Mezinke. At the reception, guests dance in a circle to the hora. Sometimes women dance with women and men dance with men. The bride and groom are lifted up while holding onto a cloth napkin. There is also a dance called the mezinke, which is a special dance for the parents of the bride or groom when their last child is wed.

Why is divorce a mitzvah?

A chuppah is a Jewish ritual often paired with a hora. It is a mitzvah done with joy. Some marriages end in divorce. There is a mitzvah associated with divorce, but it is less well known. Maybe it should be. The ritual of Jewish divorce, the giving and receiving of a get, is a mitzvah that can bring closure and remind us of the importance of personal freedom. We often think of mitzvot as happy or spiritual. The word “mitzvah” doesn’t mean “good deed.” It means “commandment.” A mitzvah is an opportunity to make everyday moments special. A mitzvah reminds us that spirituality can affect every part of our lives, even the difficult ones. Kabbalah says that Jewish rituals around death and mourning help the soul move on and comfort mourners. The mitzvah of giving and receiving a get can help ease this painful time of transition. The words said during the get process can be healing because they release the couple from marriage vows. In my work as director of the Boston Agunah Taskforce, I have seen women from all backgrounds face a spouse who uses the get to hurt them, keep control, or get a better deal. For five years, we have helped hundreds of women. We have accompanied them to the Boston Rabbinical Court, helped them over the phone, and answered their questions on our support site, getyourget.com.

What is the bride in Judaism?

Jewish weddings traditionally take place outside with a canopy covering the bride and groom. The ceremony has two parts: betrothal and marriage. Jewish culture values marriage, and weddings are important events. Images from the early 1700s to the late 1800s show how Jewish wedding traditions and customs changed over time. These scenes show the Middle East and the wealthy Rothschilds. Many of the books and materials in the Sondheim collection were originally written by Gentiles, so many scenes show how Jewish rituals are different. Most of the scenes in this section show Ashkenazi Jews or those from Eastern Europe. Bohème – La vieille synagogue de Prague shows Sefardic Jews in Amsterdam. Jewish weddings are traditionally held outside with a canopy covering the bride and groom. The ceremony has two parts: betrothal and marriage. In kiddushin, the bride accepts money and a signed contract from the groom. The payment is usually a ring, but in Sefardic weddings it can be a coin. Wine is served in two glasses at each step. Prayers are said over the first glass before the ring, and seven blessings are said over the second glass after the ketubah is read. The groom breaks the glass. The breaking of the glass symbolizes the destruction of the Second Temple. It reminds the assembled party to be mindful of unhappiness even at moments of great joy.

Do Jews say wedding vows?

Jewish wedding vows. Wedding vows aren’t part of Jewish tradition, so couples have flexibility in what they recite. Many modern couples exchange spoken vows, which are becoming more common in Reform and Conservative weddings. Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg of Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk, Virginia, created the below marriage vows for couples to use at their wedding.

Reform. Do you, ______, take ______ to be your wife/husband? Will you cherish and protect her/him, in good times and bad? Will you seek together a life hallowed by the faith of Israel?

Conservative. Do you take your spouse to be your lawfully wedded wife/husband, to love and cherish?

What is the Hebrew word for marriage?

Marriage. Hebrew name: Ownah. Cohabitation with conjugal rights. Meaning: A man and a woman marry in front of God.

What does God call marriage?

God made marriage for us. As described in Genesis and later by Jesus, marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman. This lifelong, sexually exclusive relationship brings children into the world and helps to take care of the earth. Biblical marriage is about faithfulness, sacrificial love, and joy. It shows the relationship between God and his people. While people may change their ideas about marriage, followers of Jesus should follow what Jesus said in Matthew 19:4-6. Jesus replied, “Have you not read that at the beginning, God made them male and female? A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” They are now one flesh. God joins together what God joins together.

Is it Badeken or Bedeken?

Badeken, Bedeken, Badekenish, or Bedekung is the Jewish wedding ceremony where the groom covers the bride’s face. Before the wedding ceremony, the groom covers the bride’s face with a veil. The Rabbi then blesses the couple. The bride wears the veil until the end of the ceremony.

Sources The Talmud mentions that a virgin bride wears a veil.