Marriage as a Jew-Traditional Routines of Jews
My name is Atara and I´m planning my wedding with my boyfriend, his name is Barak, we both have several friends that are not Jewish and we have to explain to the what is the meaning of marriage to us, that is why I´m writing this for them to understand marriage from our perspective,.
We have different traditions for this day
1. Wedding Day: is the happiest day in a person’s life. This day is considered a personal Yom Kippur for the chatan (Hebrew for groom) and kallah (bride), for on this day all their past mistakes are forgiven as they merge into a new, complete soul.
2. Kabblat Panim: This means that the chatan (Hebrew for groom) and kallah (bride) do not see each other for a week preceding the wedding. This increases the anticipation and excitement of the event. Therefore, prior to the wedding ceremony, the chatan and kallah greet guests separately. This is called "Kabbalat Panim."
3. Bakeden: the veiling of the kallah by the chatan. The veil symbolizes the idea of modesty and conveys the lesson that however attractive physical appearances may be, the soul and character are paramount. It is reminiscent of Rebecca covering her face before marrying Isaac (Genesis ch. 24). This costume is made by the groom as a signal of his commitment to take care of the wife.
4. Chuppah: The wedding ceremony takes place under a chuppah, this is the symbol of the house that they would build together.
5. Blessing of Bethrohal: This are two cups of wine are used in the wedding ceremony. The first cup accompanies the betrothal blessings, recited by the rabbi. After these are recited, the couple drinks from the cup.
Wine, a symbol of joy in Jewish tradition, is associated with Kiddush, the sanctification prayer recited on Shabbat and festivals. Marriage, called Kiddushin, is the sanctification of a man and woman to each other.
6. Giving of the Ring: The marriage comes official when the groom gives the bride the ring. The ring should be made of plain gold, without blemishes or ornamentation (e.g. stones) ― just as it is hoped that the marriage will be one of simple beauty.
7. Ketubah: Is a document that the bride and groom have to singed in this document tell´s the groom what he has to do and the bride what she has to do as well.
8. The Seven Blessing: For these is what they need the second cup of wine The theme of these blessings links the chatan and kallah to our faith in God as Creator of the world, Bestower of joy and love, and the ultimate Redeemer of our people.
These blessings are recited by the rabbi or other people that the families wish to honor.
At the conclusion of the seven blessings, the chatan and kallah again drink some of the wine.
9. Breaking the Glass: This marks the conclusion of the ceremony. With shouts of "Mazel Tov," the chatan and kallah are then given an enthusiastic reception from the guests as they leave the chuppah together.
10. Yichud: The couple is escorted to a private "yichud room" and left alone for a few minutes. These moments of seclusion signify their new status of living together as husband and wife.
11. The festive Meal: There is music and dancing as also as food with their friends and relatives, during the week following the wedding, it is customary for friends and relatives to host festive meals in honor of the chatan and kallah. This is called the week of Sheva Brachot, in reference to the blessings said at the conclusion of each of these festive meals.
These are all the important traditions for us. I hope you enjoyed the information and use it in your own wedding someday, not just because you´re Jewish, but because each details shows the love you have for the other.
We have different traditions for this day
1. Wedding Day: is the happiest day in a person’s life. This day is considered a personal Yom Kippur for the chatan (Hebrew for groom) and kallah (bride), for on this day all their past mistakes are forgiven as they merge into a new, complete soul.
2. Kabblat Panim: This means that the chatan (Hebrew for groom) and kallah (bride) do not see each other for a week preceding the wedding. This increases the anticipation and excitement of the event. Therefore, prior to the wedding ceremony, the chatan and kallah greet guests separately. This is called "Kabbalat Panim."
3. Bakeden: the veiling of the kallah by the chatan. The veil symbolizes the idea of modesty and conveys the lesson that however attractive physical appearances may be, the soul and character are paramount. It is reminiscent of Rebecca covering her face before marrying Isaac (Genesis ch. 24). This costume is made by the groom as a signal of his commitment to take care of the wife.
4. Chuppah: The wedding ceremony takes place under a chuppah, this is the symbol of the house that they would build together.
5. Blessing of Bethrohal: This are two cups of wine are used in the wedding ceremony. The first cup accompanies the betrothal blessings, recited by the rabbi. After these are recited, the couple drinks from the cup.
Wine, a symbol of joy in Jewish tradition, is associated with Kiddush, the sanctification prayer recited on Shabbat and festivals. Marriage, called Kiddushin, is the sanctification of a man and woman to each other.
6. Giving of the Ring: The marriage comes official when the groom gives the bride the ring. The ring should be made of plain gold, without blemishes or ornamentation (e.g. stones) ― just as it is hoped that the marriage will be one of simple beauty.
7. Ketubah: Is a document that the bride and groom have to singed in this document tell´s the groom what he has to do and the bride what she has to do as well.
8. The Seven Blessing: For these is what they need the second cup of wine The theme of these blessings links the chatan and kallah to our faith in God as Creator of the world, Bestower of joy and love, and the ultimate Redeemer of our people.
These blessings are recited by the rabbi or other people that the families wish to honor.
At the conclusion of the seven blessings, the chatan and kallah again drink some of the wine.
9. Breaking the Glass: This marks the conclusion of the ceremony. With shouts of "Mazel Tov," the chatan and kallah are then given an enthusiastic reception from the guests as they leave the chuppah together.
10. Yichud: The couple is escorted to a private "yichud room" and left alone for a few minutes. These moments of seclusion signify their new status of living together as husband and wife.
11. The festive Meal: There is music and dancing as also as food with their friends and relatives, during the week following the wedding, it is customary for friends and relatives to host festive meals in honor of the chatan and kallah. This is called the week of Sheva Brachot, in reference to the blessings said at the conclusion of each of these festive meals.
These are all the important traditions for us. I hope you enjoyed the information and use it in your own wedding someday, not just because you´re Jewish, but because each details shows the love you have for the other.