The long awaited wedding day is finally at hand and obviously the chatan and kallah (Hebrew for groom and bride respectively) are at the peak of their excitement. Traditional Jewish weddings are not only beautiful, but also full of symbolic traditions. The following is a step by step brief guide of the whole Jewish wedding process.
Personal Yom Kippur
Just like during the Yom Kippur, the chatan and kallah fast and pray for the forgiveness of their sins. This fast lasts from dawn of the wedding date till after the ceremony. The bride and groom will also have spent a week without seeing each other. On the wedding day, the chatan wears the white robe traditionally worn during Yom Kippur.
Kabbalat Panim
This is the traditional Jewish greeting of guests. The chatan and kallah greet the guests separately with the kallah at her throne and the chatan mingling with the guests. At this point, the chatan and kallah are still yet to get into direct contact.
Ashkenazi
Once you break a plate, it can never be completely repaired. In the same way, relationships in general and marriage in particular are difficult to repair once broken. For this reason, the mother of the bride and mother of the groom symbolically break a plate together to show how serious the marriage commitment is for both families.
Badeken
The groom is about to undertake the full time commitment and responsibility of protecting and clothing his wife. To symbolize this, the chatan will be accompanied by his friends and family to the kallah’s throne where he will place a veil over her face.
Chuppah
The Jewish people have a tradition of open hospitality and thus, the bride and groom continue this tradition by holding the wedding ceremony under an canopy that’s open to guests from all four sides. Except for the Sefardim, all other Jewish cultures have their wedding outdoors under the stars to symbolize God’s endless blessings. Escorted by their respective parents, the chatan leads the kallah into the chuppah where the kallah proceeds to circle the chatan 7 times. This is symbolic of them making their world in 7 days just as God made the universe in 7 days. The kallah will then stand on the right side of the chatan.
Kiddushin
The Rabbi recites the betrothal blessings then the couple drinks from one of the two cups of wine. This is closely followed by the chatan placing a plain golden ring that is free of any adornments on the kallahs right forefinger. However, if the kallah also wishes to give the chatan a ring, it should be done later and not under the chuppah.
Ketubah
This is the marriage contract and spells out the husband’s responsibility to feed, clothe, protect, and provide material and emotional needs of the wife. It is signed in the presence of two witnesses and afterwards it remains the property of the kallah. She must have unrestricted access to the ketubah throughout her married life.
Sheva Brachot
These are the 7 blessings recited as the couple drinks from the second cup of wine. This links the Nissuin (marriage) to God’s love and faith in Him. This recital is done by the Rabbi and any other important personalities that the couple would like to honor.
Breaking of Glass
The chatan shatters a glass cup or plate with his foot with sadness. This signifies the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the tenuous relationship with God.
Yichud
The couple will be left together in privacy for some moments in the Yichud room to signify their coming together to build a new home. It is at this point that they will also break their fast.
Seudah
This is the point when the fun really begins and Jewish wedding music rings amidst shouts of joy. Birkat Hamazon (prayer after meals) will be recited once all have eaten and the Sheva Brachot may be repeated.
Jewish wedding bands create simcha (joy) when celebrating the union of two people in love. The rich traditions and prayer sessions also bring closeness to the creator for all in attendance.
Personal Yom Kippur
Just like during the Yom Kippur, the chatan and kallah fast and pray for the forgiveness of their sins. This fast lasts from dawn of the wedding date till after the ceremony. The bride and groom will also have spent a week without seeing each other. On the wedding day, the chatan wears the white robe traditionally worn during Yom Kippur.
Kabbalat Panim
This is the traditional Jewish greeting of guests. The chatan and kallah greet the guests separately with the kallah at her throne and the chatan mingling with the guests. At this point, the chatan and kallah are still yet to get into direct contact.
Ashkenazi
Once you break a plate, it can never be completely repaired. In the same way, relationships in general and marriage in particular are difficult to repair once broken. For this reason, the mother of the bride and mother of the groom symbolically break a plate together to show how serious the marriage commitment is for both families.
Badeken
The groom is about to undertake the full time commitment and responsibility of protecting and clothing his wife. To symbolize this, the chatan will be accompanied by his friends and family to the kallah’s throne where he will place a veil over her face.
Chuppah
The Jewish people have a tradition of open hospitality and thus, the bride and groom continue this tradition by holding the wedding ceremony under an canopy that’s open to guests from all four sides. Except for the Sefardim, all other Jewish cultures have their wedding outdoors under the stars to symbolize God’s endless blessings. Escorted by their respective parents, the chatan leads the kallah into the chuppah where the kallah proceeds to circle the chatan 7 times. This is symbolic of them making their world in 7 days just as God made the universe in 7 days. The kallah will then stand on the right side of the chatan.
Kiddushin
The Rabbi recites the betrothal blessings then the couple drinks from one of the two cups of wine. This is closely followed by the chatan placing a plain golden ring that is free of any adornments on the kallahs right forefinger. However, if the kallah also wishes to give the chatan a ring, it should be done later and not under the chuppah.
Ketubah
This is the marriage contract and spells out the husband’s responsibility to feed, clothe, protect, and provide material and emotional needs of the wife. It is signed in the presence of two witnesses and afterwards it remains the property of the kallah. She must have unrestricted access to the ketubah throughout her married life.
Sheva Brachot
These are the 7 blessings recited as the couple drinks from the second cup of wine. This links the Nissuin (marriage) to God’s love and faith in Him. This recital is done by the Rabbi and any other important personalities that the couple would like to honor.
Breaking of Glass
The chatan shatters a glass cup or plate with his foot with sadness. This signifies the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the tenuous relationship with God.
Yichud
The couple will be left together in privacy for some moments in the Yichud room to signify their coming together to build a new home. It is at this point that they will also break their fast.
Seudah
This is the point when the fun really begins and Jewish wedding music rings amidst shouts of joy. Birkat Hamazon (prayer after meals) will be recited once all have eaten and the Sheva Brachot may be repeated.
Jewish wedding bands create simcha (joy) when celebrating the union of two people in love. The rich traditions and prayer sessions also bring closeness to the creator for all in attendance.