Casey Sara & Chagit
Traditions
Tisch
tisch - table in Yiddish
The tisch is essentially a time to really get the party started at a Jewish wedding. Though, in the past, this has occasionally been a ceremony only for the groom and the male guests of the wedding, we’re a bit short on grooms in this wedding, so both Casey Sara and Chagit will be participating. It’s a time for drinking whiskey, singing, jumping around and banging on tables. It creates energy and celebration around Chagit and Casey Sara signing their ketubah and getting their wedding started with joy and fun.
Ketubah
the wedding contract
The aforementioned ketubah is simply a wedding contract. In the past the Ketubah outlined the husband's financial obligations to his wife. We wrote our own ketubah to reflect our Shvu'a (oath) to each other. It has been beautifully decorated by Chagit’s mother Catherine and will be signed by two witnesses to confirm that they have witnessed our commitment to each other.
Bedecken
bedecken - covering/veiling in Yiddish
Traditionally, this is the part of the wedding where the person the bride is marrying places her veil over her face. At our wedding, Chagit will be traditionally “bedecking” Casey Sara with her veil, while Casey Sara will be “bedecking” Chagit by tying her tie. There are a lot of ideas for what this ritual can mean, from establishing the bride’s partner's love for her inner beauty, instead of her outer beauty, ensuring that everyone is marrying the right person and not an imposter, symbolising that although they are becoming one unit after getting married, the marriers are still two separate people. At our wedding, it is a little bit of all of these things, and it will be a special moment for us to help each other prepare for this big moment in our lives.
Chuppah
the wedding canopy
The chuppah refers to both the traditional wedding canopy and the ceremony that happens underneath it. The physical structure of the chuppah itself was important to us, as it represents the home we will make together. The canopy is formed by Chagit’s father Peter’s tallit, or prayer shawl, bringing Chagit memories of being wrapped in it as a child. We wanted the canopy to be held up by friends and family, showing how important it is that we not only support each other, but to be supported by loved ones and community. When reaching the Chuppah, Casey Sara and Chagit will circle each other seven times, the number representing perfection and creation in Judaism.
Shvu'a
the oath
Instead of the Kiddushin, the Jewish tradition of marrying in which one partner acquires the other with a ring, Casey Sara and Chagit have chosen to get married through a Shvu'a (oath), a biblical and Rabbinic practice rooted in the oath between G'd and the Jewish people taken at Mount Sinai. The oath we will each be taking, Chagit and Casey Sara promise to cherish, honor, support, and sustain each other. The oath is bound by a contract and witnessed by 2 witnesses. As part of our Shvu'a, we will also be exchanging rings.
Sheva Brachot
seven blessings
The Nissuin (nuptials) consists of the sheva brachot, or seven blessings, which will be read under the chuppah by some of our friends and family, each first in Hebrew, and then in English. These blessings are so significant, not only will they be read to Casey Sara and Chagit multiple times on their wedding day, but at least once a day for the 7 days following their wedding. The blessings praise God for creating the world and creating all of us in God’s divine image, thank God for the joy of the happy couple, and pray for a hopeful and bright future for the world.
Breaking of the Glass
ending with a bang! (or a smash)
At the end of the wedding ceremony, Chagit and Casey Sara will step on a glass. We break the glass to recognize that even in this moment of enormous joy, the world continues to be broken. In our marriage we will work to do our part to improve the world and make it a little more whole. (This is also the part when you say 'Mazel Tov!')
During the Meal
a few more small rituals
Before the meal, there will be a short blessing over the bread, and after the meal, there will be a short period of prayer called “bentsching” where the seven blessings will be recited again. There will be some singing during this time, and there will be books on this table (called “bentchers”, feel free to take one home with you) with the words if you feel like joining in. If not, feel free to take this time for quiet contemplation, going to check if anything is in your teeth after eating, or stretching to get back to dancing after we’re done.