Jewish Wedding Traditions
Question
The Bedeken
Answer
Our wedding will begin with the Jewish wedding traditions of the Tisch and Bedeken. “Bedeken” means veiling, and it is the ceremony where Jake will cover Sofie with the veil. (This Jewish tradition is inspired by a story in the Torah where Jacob, a forefather of Judaism, accidentally marries the wrong woman — awkward!) Before the veiling, though, Sofie will sit with the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom while guests visit and wish them luck and love. Sofie will be sitting on a platform to symbolize the Jewish belief that brides are close to god on their wedding day. You can think of the Bedeken as a cocktail hour! Food and drink will be served, so come hungry. :)
Question
The Tisch
Answer
The Tisch will happen at the same at the Bedeken. All guests are welcome to attend both the Tisch and the Bedeken. The Tisch is a joyous celebration traditionally hosted by the groom. At the tisch, guests will come together to sing, cheers, and watch the signing of the wedding documents. The two wedding documents will include the Ketubah, or wedding contract, and the Tannaim, or marriage contract between the families. After the Tannaim is signed, the mother of the bride and mother of the groom will break a plate. This breaking of the plate symbolizes the couple’s commitment to each other, just as a broken plate cannot be put back together. After the wedding documents are signed at the Tisch, Jake will be danced in to the Bedeken and brought to Sofie where he will place the veil over her face. Then, it’s time for the ceremony!
Question
The Wedding Ceremony
Answer
The wedding ceremony will take place under a chuppah, the canopy under which Jewish wedding ceremonies take place. The chuppah represents the new home that the bride and groom will begin together! To begin the wedding ceremony, Sofie will circle Jake seven times. The seven circles symbolize the Sheva Brachot, or the seven blessings recited on the wedding day. Later in the ceremony, family members will be invited to the chuppah to each read a blessing. After the seven blessings are finished, the Ketubah (or marriage document) is read. The marriage ceremony will end with the tradition of the groom stepping on a glass — while there are many interpretations to why a glass is smashed at the wedding, the most common are that it represents both the happiness and sorrow of life, and that it allows us to honor the destruction of the Jewish temples. After the groom smashes the glass the guests will yell, "Mazel Tov!" (Or, congratulations!) Then, it's time to party!!