Jewish Wedding Heritage, Customs and Traditions, Including the Ketubah, Chupah, Breaking Glass-2

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This is continuation of Part 1 of the article

*In Jewish tradition, a bride and groom are akin to king and queen and sit on chairs that are highly decorated to resemble thrones. It is a Mitzvah - commandment and an obligation, to cause the bride and groom to rejoice. This is why in many Jewish wedding celebrations the bride and groom are lifted on their special chairs, by their friends who sing and dance with joy. The best way to rejoice with the bride and groom is to express your joy, love and best wishes.

Chuppah
The actual Jewish wedding ceremony is conducted under a Chuppah or canopy.
The chuppah, which is either a tallit - prayer shawl, or a decorated* square of cloth held up by four poles, symbolizes the new home being created by the couple. It is open on all sides, just as Abraham and Sarah had their tent open all sides to welcome friends and relatives in unconditional hospitality. It is customary for the bride and groom to honor four of their best friends and - or siblings ro hold the poles during the ceremony. This adds love, warmth and intimacy to the ceremony. The bride and groom stand under the chuppah during the ceremony, with the bride to the right of the groom. Traditionally, Jewish wedding ceremonies were held out doors under the stars as a reminder of God’s blessing, bestowed upon Abraham that his children shall be will be as numerous “as the stars of the heavens.”

In Orthodox Jewish weddings that separate men from women, the groom is led to the chuppah by the 2 fathers or other 2 male relatives, while the bride is led by the mothers. In Conservative and Reform - less restrictive Jewish weddings, the groom is accompanied to the chuppah by his parents and the bride is accompanied to the chuppah by her parents.

Under the chuppah, the Rabbi recites the marriage blessings and a blessing over wine, and then a blessing that praises and thanks God for giving us laws of sanctity and morality to preserve the sanctity of family life and of the Jewish people.
Both the bride and the groom then drink from the wine.

*If you are looking for a great chuppah idea, read the article “Wedding Quilt - Chuppah, A Gift of Love” But instead of creating a quilt, create a chuppah.

Circling the groom
Traditionally, though it is not obligatory that the bride alone or with both her mother and the mother of the groom circle the groom. That is go around and around him. Because the number 7 is so significant in Judaism 7 circlings have become the norm. The most beautiful explanation is that in circling him 7 times, the bride enters the 7 spheres of her beloved´s souls.

The Wedding Ring
The groom, now takes a plain solid gold ring and places it on the index finger of the bride’s right hand and in the presence of two witnesses, recites “Behold you are sanctified to me with this ring, according to the Law of Moses and Israel.”
The ring symbolizes the concept of the groom encompassing, protecting and providing for his wife. After the ring was placed on the bride’s index finger, the Ketubah is read aloud and given to the bride.
At this point, the bride can place a ring on the groom’s finger.
The ring symbolizes the concept of the wholeness of th union and of the groom encompassing, protecting and providing for his wife. The reason for the solid plain unblemished gold ring is three fold.

A solid, un-blemished ring represents complete wholeness in the marriage with no holes or obstacles.

The bride and groom should consider the marriage and devotion to each other without considering wealth.

So every groom could afford to buy a ring for his bride.

If the groom is too poor, someone from the community would buy it for him, as the ring given to the bride must belong to the groom and no one else.
After the ring was placed on the bride’s finger, the Ketubah is read aloud and given to the bride.

Seven Blessings
The Rabbi recites seven blessing over a full cup of wine. After this, the couple again share in drinking the cup of wine, and the groom breaks a glass by stamping on it.

Breaking a Glass in Jewish Weddings
This custom puzzles many who seek explanation. Actually, this custom dates back to Talmudic times, to remind us of the destruction of the holy temple in Jerusalem. Another interpretation given is that the smashing of the glass is irrevocable and permanent. So too should the marriage be. As the bride and groom bond together, the glass should be the last thing to break, between them. Yet another interpretation is that uniting a man and a woman and creating a new family is divine. Thus, even at an occasion of such great rejoicing, one must take measures to ensure that the celebration remains within bounds of propriety and holiness.
After the breaking of the glass the musicians play and the guests shout “Mazal tov! Mazal tov” - Good Luck. When the bride and groom arrive at the reception, as Mr. and Mrs., everyone joins in dancing around the “king and queen.”

Nily Glaser, the CEO of A-wedding Day at: a-weddingday.com She writes important articles, and has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA.
To read more of her articles CLICK HERE Her web site is very popular for its discount wedding gifts, bridal accessories, print your own invitations, favors and the very unique items offered including the exclusive line of wedding Accessories By Nily.

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January 21 2008 01:19 am | Wedding Ceremony, Vowes & Speeches and Wedding Tradition & Etiquette

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