FAQs

Question

Why are there separate receptions for the Bridge & Groom?

Answer

Nurit and Tzvi are having separate receptions (in the same area), as is appropriate for the culmination of their lives as individuals. Once the receptions end, they will never be entirely separate again. Your presence, joy, wonder, prayers, blessings, love, tears and laughter in their last moments as single people mean so much to the chatan (groom) and kallah (bride). You are welcome to attend both receptions - there is no required separation for guests!

Question

What is The Tish?

Answer

The tish, or Groom Reception, is where Tzvi will celebrate with his friends, family and community and a couple events take place: 1) The Signing of the Ketubah and 2) Breaking of the Plate (different than the glass!)

Question

What is The Bride's Chair?

Answer

Nurit sits on her royal throne, where she receives friends and family like a queen. It is a time of tremendous spiritual potential, and a time ripe for blessing and prayer. Tradition teaches that a bride on her wedding day has a special power to give blessings, and it is common for women to come before her and ask for the blessings she is uniquely empowered to give.

Question

What is the Bedeken?

Answer

The Bedeken (yiddish for “covering”) is one of the most auspicious and powerful moments of a wedding, saturated with meaning and significance. Nurit and Tzvi have not seen each other for the entire week leading up to the wedding as per Ashkenazi Jewish tradition. When they set eyes on each other, it’s as though they are seeing each other for the first time. Why cover the face of the bride? There are many answers. Reb Shlomo Carlebach connects it to the first couple who walked the earth. Reb Shlomo explains that the real mistake in the Garden of Eden was that when G-d confronted Adam about eating the forbidden fruit, he immediately blamed Eve. A husband and wife are meant to cover for each other, to take responsibility even when not at fault. By covering Nurit's face, Tzvi is telling her, “I’ll always cover for you, I’ve got you covered.” Later, under the chuppah, Nurit returns the gesture by presenting Tzvi with a tallit, which he will use to cover himself during prayer.

Question

What is the Chuppah?

Answer

The chuppah is Nurit and Tzvi's first house together! The space between the four poles, and the cloth suspended above them, symbolically represent four walls and a ceiling, which has a halachic (Jewish legal) as well as poetic meaning. Nurit and Tzvi must arrive at the chuppah with their pockets empty, and free of all jewelry, to make clear that the marriage is not based on any ‘assets’ that the Groom or Bride may be bringing with them, rather on on their love for each other alone. The Circling The Chuppah begins with the Bride circling the Groom seven times. Kiddushin | Engagement: The Giving of the Ring The kiddushin ceremony is actually an engagement. Even though Nurit and Tzvi have been engaged for months, the engagement has had no legal or halachic status. After Tzvi gives Nurit the ring and she accepts it, they are officially engaged. Nisuin | Marriage: The Reading and Presentation of the Ketubah The Ketubah is a legal contract that Tzvi presents to Nurit, in which he promises to work for, protect, honor and treasure her. The Ketubah will be read aloud, so that everyone present can bear witness to the commitment being made. The Ketubah is Nurit and Tzvi's promise to keep it real with each other. The Breaking of the Glass | Remembering Brokenness Even in Times of Joy In the midst of our utmost joy, we take pause to remember that we still live in a broken world. We break a glass, shed a tear, and don’t forget that we have much work to do to perfect our world. The Giving | The Tallit (Prayer Shawl) The tallit is Nurit's gift to Tzvi. At the bedeken he covers her with a veil, now she covers him with a tallit. Every time he prays in it, he is wrapping himself in her eternal love for him. The Sheva Brachot | Seven Blessings “Blessed is Hashem for bringing happiness to groom and bride!” These blessings will be recited again at the birkat hamazon (the blessing after the meal).

Question

What is the Yichud Room?

Answer

The Cheder Yichud, or Yichud Room, is a chance for Nurit and Tzvi to spend a few moments alone, together. A wedding is a very public event and the whole community is present to see Nurit and Tzvi join as one. Yet at its heart it is an intensely personal matter. In the yichud room there is finally a space for the two of them to unite with no outside energies. There must even be two guards standing outside the door to ensure that no one disturbs the couple’s first moments together. In the meantime, please begin the festive meal! One actually draws closer to G-d by celebrating with food, drink and dancing to honor the union of the groom and bride!