JEWISH WEDDING TRADITIONS : WHAT TO KNOW

“Jewish wedding traditions & symbols”. Everything you need to know before getting married.

When we talk about Jewish culture, it is important to learn about its background. This culture has a history of more than four thousand years an was born in ancient Israel. Judaism is not only a matter of belief but also includes practices, making it not only a religion but an orthopraxy. In this article you will find aspects of the culture like traditions and symbols, taking into account that the Jewish culture has had a huge expansion in recent times.

Judaism is an ancient culture, and mantaining a close connection with its symbols and traditions is extremely important. The Jewish people have one of the most interesting and remarkable cultures and traditions nowadays, this is mainly due to the fact of their loyalty to their origins and ancestors. Family values are very important in the Jewish community. Within their most common celebrations we can find the Hanukkah, Bar Mitzvah and the Jewish wedding ceremony.

Important aspect in the Jewish wedding

The most important aspect in the Jewish religion regarding celebrations is the wedding ceremony. Looking back in history we can see how important is family in the Jewish culture. This is because the family has been the spiritual strength of the Jewish people for ages, being the basic and central institution of Jewish life. The Synagogue takes a secondary place in relation to the family. Judaism can survive without the Synagogue, but never without the family.

Jewish marriage is not only the formalization of a relationship, it is so much more than a vague union. It is the unique encounter of two souls that after being apart at the beginning of life, come together again. In Hebrew the marriage ceremony is called Kiddushin, wich means consecration; a sanctified act and a divine commandment. This reflects a life dedicated to spiritual values and ideals.

When it comes to a traditional Jewish wedding, the celebration is full of meaningful rituals symbolizing the beauty of the relationship between husband and wife as a united whole. It also shows their obligations to each other and to the Jewish people. In this article we will take you on a journey to experience  the beauty and joy of Jewish wedding traditions, as well as the meaning that couples have among the Jewish community.

Also remember that you won´t be alone on this journey. We will be with you in every step, through each important stage of your wedding. Making sure that everything becomes the most beautiful memory for all your guests and for you. Bellow, you will find a list of all the topics related to this article. And it will make you fully inmerse in the love given by the Jewish culture.

The wedding day

This is the happiest day in a bride’s life, a memorable event that will make you fell whole, beautiful, and perfect. This is the moment where everything begins and takes shape. On this day, as a bride you will be giving a moment to forgive all the mistakes of the past. And in this way, the two souls will be joining and emerging as one complete soul.

As the Hebrew language is a huge part of the ceremony and culture, is important to know that the groom is called Jatán and the bride is Kalá. This important day of forgiveness and union is known as Yom Kippur. It is also to be noted that during this day the bride and the groom fast the whole day from the early morning until the conclusion of the wedding ceremony. During the ceremony the groom wears a traditional outfit called kitel wich is a white traditional robe worn specifically for this day.

Jewish wedding traditions: Kabalat panim

In the week before the wedding, the groom and bride won’t see each other; the idea of meeting at any time it’s completely out of the question . This separation is intended to increase the expectation and excitement as days go by. Once the ceremony begins, the Jatán (groom) and the Kalá (bride) will happily great the guests but totally remain apart from each other. This is what we call “Kabalat Panim”.

This Jewish tradition makes the couple feel like a queen and a king, creating an amazing moment for both of them. The bride takes a sit on a “Throne”, ready to receive and greet their guests. Meanwhile, the groom is surrounded by his guests who will sing a song and celebrate with him. After this, the groom’s mother and the bride will break a plate, this is to symbolize the seriousness of their commitment. Just as a broken plate cannot be fully repaired, this act represents that a relationship, once broken, cannot be completely mended.

Badeken

At this part of the ceremony, the groom will cover the face of the bride with a veil. The veil symbolizes modesty, this refers to the idea that physical beauty is secondary to the soul and character. The veil will show how superior a woman’s soul, character and personality are to her appearance. The groom along with family and friends will approach the bride and cover her face with the veil. This beautiful and touching moment is an ancient tradition. In it, the groom shows how important his bride is by commiting to dress and protect his wife.

Another Jewish wedding symbol is the “Chuppah”

The place where the wedding takes place is called the Chuppah. The Chuppa is a canopy on which the Jewish couple will stand during the wedding ceremony. This symbolizes the house that they will build together as a couple. It is open on all sides, representating Abraham and Sarah’s tent where they received friends and family with unconditional hospitality.

The Chuppah is celebrated outside, under the sky and stars, which simbolizes the blessing giving by God to the patriarch Abraham. The groom and bride don’t wear any jewelry when they are under the Chuppah. This represents their commitment as something that doesn’t involve material possession, but the union as human beings.

The parents of the couple will join them on their way to the Chuppah.  Once under the Chuppah, the bride will circle the groom seven times symbolizing that the world was built in seven days and representing the Kalá’s role in building the walls of the new world of the couple. The number seven has a great importance in Jewish culture, symbolizing that wholeness and integrity can not be achieved when they are apart. After this ritual, the bride will stand next to the groom, positioned to his right.

Blessings of commitment (Kiddushin)

For the next part of the ceremony, two wine glasses will be needed; the first glass is used for the blessing of commitment. After the blessing is recited, the couple will drink from the cup. Wine is a symbol of joy in Jewish tradition and is associated with the Kiddush, the sanctification prayer recited on the Sabbath and holidays. The marriage, also known as Kiddushin, is the sanctification the union between a man and a woman.

“THE RING” Typical Jewish Symbols

In Jewish culture and law, the marriage becomes official when the groom gives an object of value to the bride. This act is done, traditionally, with a ring made out of pure gold; free of any stains or adornments such as diamonds or gems. Just as their marriage the ring is expected to meet the most simple standards of beauty, imparting a message of humbleness and grace.

The groom will take the wedding ring on his hand and in the presence of two witnesses he declares to his wife, “Now you are committed to me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel”. After that the groom places the ring on the index finger of the bride’s right hand. According to Jewish law and traditions, this is the central moment of the wedding ceremony, and the couple is officially getting married.

Ketubah (Marriage contract)

The next step in the celebration is the reading of the ketubah (the marriage contract) in its original Aramaic text. In a Jewish marriage the groom will asume different responsibilities that are outlined in the ketubah. The groom’s responsibilities are various and include providing food, shelter, and clothing for his wife, as well as attending to her emotional needs. As a reminder that not only the material aspect is important, but the spiritual aspect as well.

For the protection of the Jewish woman rights, the marriage cannot be officially completed until the ketubah is finalized. The document is signed by two witnesses, and has the power of a legally binding agreement. The Ketubah will remain in the possession of the bride and she must have access to the document throughout her entire marriage.

JEWISH Traditions: The seven blessings

The seven blessings, also known as Sheva Brachot, are recited with the second cup of wine. These blessings are the way to bind the groom and the bride to faith in God, as the creator of the world, the giver joy and love, and the redeemer of the Jewish people. These blessings are pronounced by the rabbi or other person that the families wish to honor. At the end of the seven blessings, the couple will once again take some wine from the cup.

“BREAKING THE GLASS” The most visual Jewish wedding tradition

In this part of the ceremony a glass cup is placed on the ground, and the groom breaks it with his foot. This is a symbol of the sadness felt during the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalemand and it connects the couple with the spiritual and national destiny of the Jewish people. The Jewish community, even at the moment of greatest happiness in their lifes, is always completely aware of the psalmist’s plea to “establish Jerusalem above my highest joy” emphasizing the importance of their roots. This marks the end of the Jewish wedding ceremony, culminating with everybody acclaiming the world’s best know phrase to congratulate in the Jewish culture “Mazel Tov”.

Jewish wedding: Yijud

After the ceremony the Yijud will be taking place. This is when the couple is escorted to a private room, and left alone for a few minutes. These moments manifest their new condition, which is living together as husband and wife. The couple has been fasting since morning, so it’s the moment to end their fast.

The banquet (Seudá)

Finally we come to the last step of the celebration, the banquet. During this event there is a lot of music and dancing to celebrate the newlyweds. In order to bring joy to the occasion, some guests may perform feats of juggling and acrobatics. After the meal, the Birkat Hamazon (the blessing after the meal) is recited and the Sheva Brachot (The seven blessings) are said one more time.

During the week following the wedding, it’s usual for friends and family to prepare banquets in honor of the couple. This is known as the Sheva Brachot Week, named after the blessings recited at the end of each banquet. This way, the Jewish wedding ceremony is completed.

A Jewish ceremony is something completely unique and attractive reflecting a profound commitment that extends beyond a physical and legal union. Even couples outside the Jewish culture may be attracted to how meaningful it can be.

That is why when it comes to a Jewish wedding ceremony, it is best is to have a planner to help the couple organize every detail. If you are having a Jewish wedding ceremony and you need help, you know who to contact to have the most special and stress-free ceremony. We will have everything under control so you can simply enjoy your big day, focusing on each moment without any worries.

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