Jewish Wedding Customs
Question
What happens before the Ceremony?
Answer
We kindly ask guests to arrive a little after 5pm so they may partake in the pre-Chuppa festivities, namely: Kabbalat Panim | קבלת פנים A traditional Jewish pre-wedding reception where the bride and groom, separated, greet guests as royalty (much like Kings & Queens received their guests) before the main ceremony, building excitement and allowing for blessings, songs, and toasts, with the bride seated like a queen on a throne and the groom at a celebratory tisch (table) before the chuppah. Tisch | טיש Literally meaning "table" in Yiddish, the Tisch is a celebration that the groom hosts for his male friends, relatives, and the Rabbi. This reception features singing, dancing, and lots of liquor. The Tisch happens at the same time as the bride's reception for her female guests. Ketubah | כתובה Two shomer shabbat witnesses unrelated to the bride and groom will sign the Ketubah (this will happen during the Tisch). Bedeken | בדקן A highly emotional ceremony where the groom, often accompanied by his own father and his father in law, places a veil over the bride's face.
Question
What is the Ketubah?
Answer
כתובה Literally meaning "written" in Hebrew, the Ketubah is an Aramaic document drawn by witnesses in accordance with Jewish civil law, in which they testify that the husband guarantees to his wife that he will meet certain minimum human and financial conditions of marriage. The Ketubah signing is considered one of the most important parts of the Jewish wedding ceremony and it takes place before any of the festivities start.
Question
What is the Chuppah
Answer
חופה The wedding ceremony takes place under the Chuppah, which symbolizes the new home that the bride and groom will create together as husband and wife. It is also said to be like the tent of Abraham and Sarah, which was open in all four cardinal directions to always receive visitors. The word Chuppah means "canopy" in Hebrew, and serves as a roof for the bride and groom at their wedding.
Question
What is the circling?
Answer
הקפות The custom of the bride circling the groom seven times parallels the seven days of creation. It symbolizes that the bride and groom are about to build a "new world" together.
Question
Why do we break a glass?
Answer
שבירת הכוס The breaking of the glass has a variety of interpretations. One is that it reminds us that even in our happiest moments, we remember the destruction of the holy temple in Jerusalem. Another explanation is that, much like irreversibility of broken glass, the marriage is final. As the glass is broken, all guests are encouraged to shout "Mazal Tov!"