|
The purposes of marriage
in the Bible are for companionship and procreation.
In the past, Jewish marriages were usually arranged
by parents, but the bride's consent was asked. Jewish
weddings can occur any day of the week except on
the Sabbath, on Jewish festivals, during the three
weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av,
and the "sefirah" period Passover & Shavuot
(Lag Ba-Omer and other exceptions).
For a Jewish Wedding, it is customary for the bride
to wear white along with a headdress, and a veil.
Despite this, Jewish brides from oriental countries
wear elaborate costumes richly embroidered. The groom
may wear a "kitel" (a white garment)
along with a tallit.
Before the ceremony, the groom, in the presence
of witnesses, undertakes an act of "kinyan" (the
obligations of the Ketubah). This is done by taking
a handkerchief or some other object by the Rabbi,
lifting it and returning it. The groom and witnesses
then
sign the Ketubah. The groom is then led to the "Huppah" by
two male relatives facing Jerusalem. The bride is
led in by the Mothers usually to the accompaniment
of a blessing of welcome chanted by the Rabbi. Sometimes
the bride is led in 7 circles around the groom to
ward off evil spirits.
The bride stands to the right of the groom and the
Rabbi recites the marriage blessings over a goblet
of wine. Both the bride & groom
then drink from the glass.
The groom then places
the wedding ring on the forefinger of the bride's
right
hand and recites the marriage formula. The "ketubah" (marriage
contract) is then read, and the 7 marriage benedictions
(seven blessings) are recited.
In most ceremonies, the groom then crushes a glass
under his right foot and the Rabbi invokes the "priestly
blessings".
The couple is then escorted away.
TERMS OF INTEREST:
Huppah: The term was originally referred to as the
bridal canopy or bridal chamber. It consists of a
cloth spread on four staves. The cloth can be of
an elaborate design or a large Talis may be spread
over the staves.
The Ring: It has become universal Jewish practice
to use a ring, except in a few
communities where a coin is used. The ring must belong
to the bridegroom and be free of any precious stones.
In the ceremony, the groom gives the ring to the
bride as an act of acquisition and the bride, by
accepting it, becomes his wife.
Ketubah: It is a document recording, in Aramaic,
the financial obligations which the husband undertakes
toward his wife in respect of their marriage. It
was instituted for the purpose of protecting the
woman so that the husband would not find it easy
to divorce
her.
By Anna Karden
The Jewish
Bride...& More!
Go back to Articles
|
