Amanda & Warren
Our Jew-ish Wedding
SUNDAY FUNDAY
Why is your wedding on a Sunday?
Saturday is the Jewish day of rest or sabbath. On "shabbat," work and travel are not permitted. Since weddings historically involved a monetary transaction and the signing of a legal contract, rabbinic law prohibited weddings during the sabbath. Although we don't view weddings as a business transaction, we honor the tradition. According to the Mishnah, the Jewish oral tradition, weddings are not celebrated on the sabbath or on holidays because joyous occasions are not supposed to be combined. Challah for thought!
PRE-WEDDING
Tisch & Kabbalat Panim
The tisch and kabbalat panim are pre-wedding celebrations for the bride and groom. We'll be kicking this off around 2:00 pm. The word tisch means table in Yiddish. Imagine a long table where people are hanging out, drinking, and singing. This pre-game is traditionally meant for the groom and his male family and friends. Kabbalat panim, which translates to "receiving faces" in Hebrew, is traditionally meant for the bride and her female family and friends. It looks a lot like the bride sitting on a throne while people greet her. We'll host a co-ed tisch and kabbalat panim - each of these customs is your opportunity to receive a blessing from us. In Jewish mythology, the bride and the groom are believed to have special, spiritual strength on their wedding day that they can bestow onto their loved ones!
CANOPY OF LOVE
What is a chuppah?
We'll be married underneath a chuppah, a canopy that represents our new home in marriage. The chuppah has four posts, each supported by our families. The chuppah does not have walls, which is a nod to the Jewish tradition of hospitality.
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
What is a ketubah?
A ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract that details our commitment to one another. The ketubah is traditionally signed by the officiating rabbi and two Hasidic men. In our case, the ketubah will be signed by our officiant and two close friends.
#BLESSED
What the hell is going on?
It is customary for the bride and groom to circle each other seven times. This is called hakafot. Seven is the number of days of creation. We circle each other to represent the creation of our marriage. Kiddushin, which traditionally means betrothal, refers to a blessing made over wine. Wine is used for a prayer of sanctification during most Jewish observances. The Sheva Brachot, meaning seven blessings, are the traditional blessings recited to the couple under the chuppah. There are many English interpretations, some of which use neutral or feminine God language instead of the traditional male imagery. Many interpretations still sound a bit biblical so we opted for something more modern.
STOMPING ON THE GLASS
When do we say mazal tov?
At the end of the ceremony we'll break a glass. One common interpretation of this tradition is that Jewish history is marred with destruction and brokenness, and even in the most joyful of moments, we recall the sadness of the past. Another common interpretation is that it represents the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. For our Jew-ish purposes, we're doing it because it is so synonymous with Jewish weddings. We're also happy to adopt the interpretation of honoring the past, while moving forward in joy. After Warren stomps on the glass, everyone can cheer "Mazal Tov!"
Saul Goodman's Klezmer Band
How do I learn the steps?
Prepare to be dazzled by the acoustic, musical stylings of Saul Goodman's Klezmer Band! In the Ashkenazic (Jews from Eastern Europe) tradition, Klezmer music is used to elevate a given simcha or joyous occasion such as a wedding. Celebrated Jewish dance master, Bruce Bierman, will help everyone learn some of the steps to traditional Jewish dances when the moment strikes. No experience required to partake! http://www.saulgoodmansklezmerband.com