Jewish Weddings
General Knowledge
As in all religions marriage is a big cornerstone and a great celebration. Although in a Jewish wedding there are many laws and traditions associated with the wedding itself. Many traditions happen at the wedding bu other rituals take place in the weeks leading up to the wedding. In the past it is common for marriages to be arranged. This can be arranged by parents or a match maker, known as Yenta. Although today only ultra-Orthodox communities follow this practice. Although the marriages were arranged, the man still had to ask the father of the bride to be for his daughter’s hand. Before the Wedding Rituals begin as soon as the couple are engaged, with a ceremony called Tena’im. Tena’im involves breaking plates to symbolize the destruction of the temples in Jerusalem. This theme is then repeated with the breaking of glasses. The wedding itself can be held on any day of the week apart from during Jewish Sabbath. This runs from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday. The wedding can also not be on major Jewish Festivals such as the Day of Atonement or Jewish New Year. Ultra-Orthodox couples often hold weddings on weekdays. Although weddings should not be held during the Passover and Shavout which is a time of sadness and reflection in the Jewish calendar A week before the wedding is an exciting time. A special ceremony is arranged for the groom called Ufruf. This is when the groom must go to the synagogue and take an active part in the service. At the end of this service the groom must announce his engagement to the congregation. Ufurf is followed by a private celebration lunch for the respective families. The bride a week before the wedding will visit the ritual bath known as the Mikveh, this is so she cleanses herself spiritually and can enter the marriage in a state of purity. To properly fulfill the requirements of Mikveh, the women must remove all jewelry even nail polish to fully cleanse her body. She must also recite a special pray, the women is supervised during her ritual bath to ensure it is done correctly. Men may also visit the ritual bath during the week, but it is not compulsory. ·It is traditional for the bride and groom not to see each other in the week before the wedding. The Wedding It is traditional for the wedding to be held outside but now days it is held indoors as it helped avoid any weather problems. Although the wedding can also be held in a synagogue. The couple are married underneath a special canopy called the Chupa. The wedding is also under a rabbi's supervision. The bride and groom must fast on the day of the wedding, it is done to cleanse themselves before getting married The wedding begins with the signing of Ketubah, the marriage contract. This is done prior to the main ceremony. This contract that is signed states they are not to get divorced (Get) or to remarry. Bedecken is the next ceremony in which the bridegroom places the veil over the brides face, this is to show the grooms intent to clothe and protect his wife. The bride’s father is the one who normally walks the bride to the Chupa, but there is no rule for this. The bride is also the last to enter and to walk around their groom seven times During the ceremony a bottle is wrapped in a cloth and smashed on the ground with his foot to signify strength. The groom also wears a Kippah on his head. Also in some communities a hat is also worn on top of this as well. After the ceremony Dancing is to be separated, women dance then men dance, never at the same time. At the reception the blessing over the Challah bread and the seven blessings are made to the bride and groom. The man, bridegroom and father of the bride will give speeches, and presents are given to the bride and groom and also members of the wedding (parents of bride and groom, bridesmaids, etc.). Information sourced from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/ |