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Chuppah
Traditionally, the Jewish wedding ceremony takes place under the chuppah, or wedding canopy. Often the chuppah is made from cloth; however, there are no standard materials or legal requirements for the construction of the chuppah. Therefore, the couple may decorate or design the chuppah according to their own personal tastes – using anything from fabric paint to flowers. Many couples have collected cloths and items from friends and family members and had these items quilted together to form their chuppah. Other couples have sent out pieces of fabric and asked close ones to decorate these pieces of fabric with thoughts and memories of the couple. The look of the chuppah is entirely up to you.
Symbolically, the chuppa is representative of the home that the couple will create together and is often representative of our forefather Abraham’s tent which was open on all four sides to welcome guests.
Circling the Groom
In this tradition, the bride walks around the groom under the chuppah before the rabbi begins the wedding ceremony. Brides are expected to circle the groom seven times. Just as Joshua circled the wall of Jericho seven times and then the walls fell down, so, too, after the bride walks around the groom seven times, the walls between them will fall and their souls will be united. Some couples choose to circle each other – the number of circles you do can be discussed with your wedding officiant.
The Ceremony: Part One : Kiddushin
The Jewish wedding ceremony is composed of two parts. The first part is called Kiddushin and signifies sanctification and dedication.
The Kiddushin ceremony begins with the Kiddush, or blessing over the wine. In Judaism, the blessing over the wine indicates a time of joy and happiness. The wedding officiant then recites the betrothal blessing, or birkat erusin, which praises God for the gift of marriage. After these blessings, the bride and groom take a sip of wine (if the bride and groom have been fasting, this sip of wine marks the end of their fast).
Next, the groom is to place the ring on the bride’s right forefinger. The ring is placed on the right hand as the right side is a symbol of strength and love. The forefinger is chosen because it is said to be a direct link to the heart and soul and because it is used as the pointer finger when reading the Torah. The bride may move the ring to her ring finger after the ceremony. Traditionally, Jewish wedding bands are very plain with no jewels or decorations beyond engraving on the inside. Some couples prefer a double ring ceremony. Discuss this option with your wedding officiant. When the ring is placed on the bride’s finger the groom should recite the following in both English and Hebrew: “Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring in accordance with the laws of Moses and Israel.”
Although the ketubah has already been signed and witnessed before the ceremony, often, the rabbi or wedding officiant will reread the ketubah for all to hear at this point of the ceremony. The reading of the ketubah separates the two portions of the wedding ceremony. The wedding officiant may also make his or her own remarks at this time.
The Ceremony: Part Two: Nesuin
Once the Ketubah has been read aloud, the second portion of the wedding ceremony will begin. At this point, the seven traditional wedding blessings are read. Continue to Page 4 >>
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Sections in this article:
Before the Wedding
At the Wedding
Jewish Elements To Include During
The Reception
Jewish Wedding Traditions From
Around the World
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