What Is A Jewish Wedding Ceremony Like?

A Jewish wedding is a complex and multi-generational event that follows Jewish laws and traditions. It begins with the decision to get married, followed by a tenaim ceremony that reads a commitment document. The Jewish wedding ceremony combines two formerly separate ceremonies: erusin (betrothal) and nissuin (marriage). In traditional communities, erusin is still observed separately.

The ketubah, or marriage contract, is signed by two witnesses, including a rabbi or officiant and close family members. This ceremony fulfills one of three elements of marriage in the Jewish tradition: cohabitation, exchange of silver, something valuable, and giving of a contract. The Sheva Brachot (seven blessings) are the heart of the Jewish wedding.

Marriage is highly valued in Jewish culture and is one of the most important events in the life cycle. Images from the early eighteenth to the late nineteenth centuries show the variety of Jewish wedding traditions and customs that evolved over time as religious ceremony and practices were adapted to different countries.

The Jewish wedding ceremony comprises two major sections: erusin (betrothal) and nissuin (marriage). The erusin ceremony begins with two blessings recited by the presiding rabbi, who holds a cup of wine. The first stage of the Jewish wedding process is the shidduch, or matchmaking, where a close friend or relative suggests they meet.

During the ceremony, the couple is celebrated with a joyous ritual before the ceremony, with close family and friends surrounding them. The ceremony includes two distinct rituals: the betrothal (kiddushin) and the actual marriage (niusin).

Why does the bride circle the groom seven times?

The groom is the center of the new Jewish home. He is the first to stand under the chuppah. The bride’s circling of the groom symbolizes their new world together. She goes around seven times, showing that she is the foundation of the home and that her husband-to-be is the foundation of their home. Then she stands with her husband-to-be in the center of the circle. Once the house is built, the husband and wife stand in the middle, surrounded by the walls the wife made for their home. A man without a wife is without Torah. The Tikkunei Zohar explains that the first letters of the words for “woman” and “man,” nun and gimmel, add up to 53, which is the number of Torah parshiot. Some say that the seven circuits of the bride bring the number up to 60, which is the number of books in the Mishnah. So, the seven circuits connect the Torah and Mishnah. What does this have to do with a wedding? The Talmud says that a man who lives without a wife lives without Torah. This means that her circling shows that his Torah accomplishments are due to her.

Why do the couple tie their wrists together?

What is handfasting? Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ritual where the hands are tied together to symbolize the joining of two lives. It is often included in Wiccan or Pagan ceremonies, but is also used in religious and secular ceremonies.

The History and Meaning of a Handfasting Ceremony. The handfasting ceremony comes from ancient Celtic tradition and goes back to 7000 B.C. In ancient Ireland, when two people got married, they had a braided cord or ribbon tied around their hands in front of a priest. This was just to show that the couple were engaged. It usually lasted a year.

It was a public sign that the woman was engaged and not to be harassed, says Michelle Johnstone Clark, founder of Water Lily Weddings. After a year, the couple went back to the priest. They either said they wanted to get married or said they weren’t a good match. Then they could choose another partner.

Do Jews wear wedding rings?

The wedding band is an important part of a Jewish wedding. Jews didn’t historically marry with rings. Jewish wedding rings look different from other wedding rings. Are you getting married in Judaism? We can help! Sign up for Breaking the Glass, an email series that will help you plan your Jewish wedding.

History. The exchange of rings wasn’t part of Jewish marriage at first. The Bible doesn’t mention wedding rings. Jews have taken this custom from other cultures. It is now an important part of Jewish weddings.

Why do Jews break a glass at the wedding?

In a Jewish wedding, the couple smashes a glass. This is to remember the destruction of the Jewish temples. The glass also has several meanings. In the past few years, people have argued about shouting “Mazel tov!” after they break the glass.

A Jewish wedding is a very detailed process, with hundreds of different customs and traditions. At some point during the wedding, a glass wrapped in cloth is placed on the ground under the canopy. One member of the couple taps it, and the congregation shouts “Mazel tov!” in congratulations.

What happens at a Jewish wedding ceremony?

A Jewish wedding is a wedding ceremony that follows Jewish laws and traditions. While wedding ceremonies vary, common features of a Jewish wedding include a ketubah (marriage contract) which is signed by two witnesses, a chuppah or huppah (wedding canopy), a ring owned by the groom that is given to the bride under the canopy, and the breaking of a glass. *Technically, the Jewish wedding process has two distinct stages.1 The first, kiddushin (Hebrew for betrothal; sanctification or dedication, also called erusin) and nissuin (marriage), is when the couple start their life together. It is at the first stage (kiddushin) when the woman becomes prohibited to all other men, requiring a get (religious divorce) to dissolve it, while the second stage permits the couple to each other. The ceremony that accomplishes nissuin is also known as chuppah.2 *Today, erusin/kiddushin occurs when the groom gives the bride a ring or other object of value with the intent of creating a marriage. There are differing opinions as to which part of the ceremony constitutes nissuin/chuppah, such as standing under the canopy and being alone together in a room (yichud).2 Erusin/kiddushin has evolved from a period in which the man was to prepare financially to marry his wife into becoming the first half of the wedding ceremony. While historically these two events could take place as much as a year apart,3 they are now commonly combined into one ceremony.2.

Why do Jews break a glass at weddings?

Breaking the glass also has sexual connotations. It symbolizes the release of sexual union, which is required of married couples. For centuries, breaking the glass symbolized breaking the hymen. This was why it was so important for the groom to succeed. The crash of glass ends the hush of mythic time under the huppah, and the world rushes in. Everyone cheers, “Mazel tov!” The party starts. You can break any kind of glass. Make sure it’s wrapped well to prevent injury. A cloth napkin is standard, but you can buy a satin pouch or velvet bag. Some artisans make mementos out of the shards. A lightbulb wrapped in a linen napkin makes a louder pop, but it’s not as good as the original symbol.

Excerpted with permission from The Jewish Wedding Now (Simon & Schuster).

What is the layout of a Jewish wedding ceremony?

In a traditional Jewish wedding, the bride’s side is on the right and the groom’s is on the left. Both sets of parents stand under the chuppah during the ceremony, while the grandparents take their seats after the processional. When I interview brides and grooms for my Real Jewish Weddings, I always ask, “What song did you walk down the aisle to?” I get different answers and great choices. I made a Spotify playlist with the top songs. For something more modern, check out Smashing the Glass’s Top 10 Coolest Chuppah Entrance Songs for 2015.

How long does a Jewish wedding ceremony last?

Jewish wedding ceremonies last about 30 to 45 minutes. This is because there are usually lots of religious rituals and traditions. For info on wedding ceremony length, see our guide. What words are said at a Jewish wedding ceremony? During a Jewish wedding ceremony, the vows and rings are exchanged at the same time. They exchange words.

What day of the week do Jews get married?

Jewish weddings usually happen on Sundays. Never on Saturday or Friday, as the Jewish Sabbath (when weddings are not permitted) runs from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Other good days for Jewish weddings are Tuesdays and Thursdays. Have you been invited to a Jewish wedding? If so, you probably have questions and want to know more. We invited Michelle Jacobs of Elegante by Michelle J, a Jewish wedding planner and English Wedding Blog member, to tell us about a typical Jewish wedding. The beautiful images are by Italian wedding photographer David Bastianoni. Jewish weddings usually happen on Sundays. Never on Saturday or Friday because the Jewish Sabbath (when weddings are not permitted) runs from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday.

Do Jews go on honeymoons?

Your Jewish honeymoon is meant to be one of the most exciting, romantic, and special moments in your life. It’s a celebration of your new beginning with your spouse.