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Guide
to the Jewish Wedding It's much more than just passing a
ring. Learn the deeper significance, and print out a
copy for the wedding guests, too!
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An
explanation of the laws and customs
of a Jewish Wedding. In traditional
Jewish literature marriage is
actually called kiddushin |
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An experienced
wedding photographer will document
your wedding day. |
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A
Jewish wedding is one of the
cornerstones of the Jewish life
cycle and as with all religions, is
a great cause for celebration.
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How
to Plan a Jewish Wedding. Jewish
weddings can vary a great deal
depending on whether the bride and
groom are Orthodox, Conservative or
Reform |
Judaica Specialties
Complete selection of ceremonial items for a
Jewish wedding, including Shardz, The Wedding
Cube and Rosenthal.
More Info
Huppahquilt.com
On your wedding day, imagine being married under
a unique Huppah Quilt, lovingly created by the
people most important to you. HuppahQuilt.com
provides a Kit that lets you invite friends and
relatives to create a one-of-a-kind wedding
canopy.
More Info
Hero Entertainment
Full service entertainment agency booking bands,
dj, classical musicians, bar/bat mitzvah dance
troupes
More Info
Jewish Wedding Planner
Planning a Jewish wedding - traditions and
ideas.
More Info
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Customs & Traditions of Jewish Weddings by Anna
Karden,
The Jewish Bride & More!
The purposes of marriage in the Bible are for
companionship and procreation. In the past, they were
usually arranged by parents, but the bride's consent was
asked.
Jewish weddings can occur any day of the week except the
Sabbath, Jewish festivals, the three weeks between the
17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av, and the "sefirah"
period Passover & Shavuot (Lag Ba-Omer and other
exceptions).
It is customary for the bride to wear white and a
headdress & veil. Jews from oriental countries wear
elaborate costumes richly embroidered. The groom may
wear a "kitel" (a white garment) along with a tallit.
Before the ceremony, the groom, in the presence of
witnesses, undertakes an act of "kinyan" (the
obligations of the Ketubah). This is done by taking a
handkerchief or some other object by the Rabbi, lifting
it and returning it. The groom and witnesses then sign
the Ketubah. The groom is then led to the "Huppah" by
two male relatives facing Jerusalem. The bride is led in
by the Mothers usually to the accompaniment of a
blessing of welcome chanted by the Rabbi. Sometimes the
bride is led in 7 circles around the groom to ward off
evil spirits.
The bride stands to the right of the groom and the Rabbi
recites the marriage blessings over a goblet of wine.
Both the bride & groom then drink from the glass. The
groom places the wedding ring on the forefinger of the
bride's right hand and recites the marriage formula. The
"ketubah" (marriage contract) is then read and the 7
marriage benedictions are recited.
In most ceremonies, the groom then crushes the glass
under his right foot and the Rabbi invokes the "priestly
blessings". The couple is then escorted away.
Related Terminology:
Huppah: The term was originally referred to as the
bridal canopy or bridal chamber. It consists of a cloth
spread on four staves. The cloth can be of an elaborate
design or a large Talis may be spread over the staves.
The Ring: It has become universal Jewish practice to use
a ring, except in a few communities where a coin is
used. The ring must belong to the bridegroom and be free
of any precious stones. In the ceremony, the groom gives
the ring to the bride as an act of acquisition and the
bride, by accepting it, becomes his wife.
Ketubah: It is a document recording, in Aramaic, the
financial obligations which the husband undertakes
toward his wife in respect of their marriage. It was
instituted for the purpose of protecting the woman so
that the husband would not find it easy to divorce her.
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