Jewish Wedding Traditions
Published under Traditions
Jewish wedding traditions are rich with meaningful rituals that not only symbolize the significance and purpose of marriage, but also the relationship between husband and wife and the obligations they hold to one another, as well as to the Jewish people.
The wedding day is viewed as a personal Yom Kippur for the chatan, (groom) and kallah, (bride). On this day, all past mistakes are forgiven. Both the chatan and kallah fast from dawn until the completion of the wedding ceremony. The chatan also wears the traditional white robe worn on Yom Kippur known as the kittel.
The wedding ceremony takes place under a canopy that is open on all sides and is the symbol for the home to be built and shared by the couple. This canopy is called the chuppah and is set-up outside under the stars. The chatan, followed by the kallah are escorted into the chuppah by their respective sets of parents. Neither the kallah no chatan wear any jewelry while under the chuppah.
After the betrothal blessing, the couple drinks from a cup of wine. This is then followed by the chatan declaring the kallah as his wife as he places the ring on the forefinger of her right hand. The ring is a single plain gold band. At this point, the couple is now fully married.
The Ketabuh, (marriage contract) is then read in Aramaic text. The document is then signed by two witnesses and presented to kallah, often to be displayed in the home.
A Rabbi then recites the Seven Blessings over the second cup of wine. The blessings are meant to link the chatan and kallah to God as creator of the world, bestower of joy and love, and the redeemer of the Jewish people.
The ceremony ends with the chatan breaking a glass with his foot. This Jewish wedding tradition serves as an expression of sadness at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and identifies the couple with the spiritual and national destiny of the Jewish people.
The ceremony is followed by music, dancing, and food as the guests celebrate in the joy of the marriage with the couple. For the week following the wedding, the chatan and kallah attend numerous festive hosted by relatives in their honor. This week is referred to as the Shiva Brachot, because of the blessings that are recited at the end of each meal.
