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Broken Wedding Glass
Mezuzah with Breaking Glass
Gary Rosenthal
$140.00 US
[Details]
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Choosing which traditions and customs to incorporate into your wedding ceremony isn’t always easy. There are so many different customs to consider and so many people to please – including yourselves and your wedding officiant! It is best to be as informed about these Jewish traditions as possible so you can create a ceremony that is truly your own. Read on to find out about some unique twists on some ancient traditions.
Before the Wedding:
Aufruf
The word Aufruf is Yiddish for “calling up” and refers to the event that occurs the Sabbath before the wedding. At that time, the couple is publicly honored by being called up to the Torah to recite the blessings before and after the Torah reading. In Orthodox congregations, the groom alone will be called to the Torah. In more egalitarian congregations, however, the couple may be called to the Torah to say the blessings together. Traditionally, the couple will be showered with candies and sweets - a symbol of good cheer and a blessing of sweetness - as they return to their seats.
The Henna Party
This tradition is most often performed in Sephardic circles (Jewish descendents from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Middle East). However, there is nothing to stop you from incorporating this tradition into your wedding regardless of your background.
The traditional Henna party is hosted by the mother and mother-in-law of the bride and, usually, only women are invited to attend. The women create elaborate designs with henna, a non-permanent red dye made from vegetables, on the bride’s hands and feet in order to make her even more beautiful for her wedding day.
A note for the fidgety: Henna takes around 24 hours to dry completely and the bride must sit perfectly still while the henna is being applied and drying. On the upside: Having to sit perfectly still means that others must dote on you and feed you all sorts of traditional delicacies including nuts, olives, honey and pastries.
Separation Of the Couple Before The Wedding
Traditionally, Jewish couples separate for a period of time before the wedding. While some couples choose to begin this separation immediately after the Aufruf (a week before the wedding), others limit the separation to only two or three days. This separation heightens the excitement for the couple when they see each other for the first time at the ceremony itself.
Attending the Mikvah
Before the wedding, Jewish brides are expected to attend the mikvah... Continue to page 2 >>
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