Jewish wedding traditions are deep with symbolism. Everything from what is worn to the actions done earlier in the week has deep meaning. Marriage is looked upon as part of the circle of life and is holy. Jewish marriage and the various Jewish wedding traditions are something everyone looks forward to.
For an entire week leading up to the wedding it is customary that the groom and the bride do not see each other. But on the Sabbath of the week of the wedding the bride and groom have the honor of reciting the blessing over the Torah reading. This is called the Auf Ruf. When a couple or family do not belong to a temple, it can be arranged in the home of the family as long as a Minyan of 10 over the age of 13 years of age in order for Shabbat service with a Torah reading to take place. Always good to check with the Rabbi there is a Torah.
On the wedding day before the ceremony the bride is veiled. The veil is in remembrance that when Jacob was to be wed to Rachel, but wed Leah for she was wearing a not-see-through veil over her face. The veil symbolizes modesty and the groom often veils the bride himself before the ceremony making sure it is indeed his bride, true love and partner in marriage.
The normal Jewish wedding lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Traditionally, the bride would circle the groom before 2 blessings were recited over a cup of wine. Today, however, it’s customary for the groom to also circle his bride. This symbolizes the fact that both have equal footing in the marriage and that they are central now to each other’s lives. Next, the blessings are recited and the blessings are to remind the bride and groom about the commandments of marriage.
After the blessings are recited the groom and bride puts the ring on each other’s index finger, above the knuckle, on the right hand. The ring is to be a plain band with no engravings, decorations or gems…this is to symbolize that there is no beginning and no end. When the ring is placed upon each of their fingers, they each recite the traditional Jewish Wedding Vows “Haray At” for the Groom and “Haray Atah” for the Bride.
After the rings exchanged, the Ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract and symbolizes the commitment to one another, as well their love for one another. The bride and groom stand under the Chuppah, a canopy with four poles that symbolizes their home that will now be built through both of their efforts. The Chuppah is so important that the wedding ceremony is often called the ceremony ‘Under the Chuppah.’
As part of Jewish wedding traditions, the groom and bride hear the seven blessings chanted both in Hebrew and English to further fulfil the Jewish wedding traditions. These 7 blessings are called the Sheva Berachot. Each blessing begins in a similar manner, saying that the couple is blessed by God:
1. Blessed by God who has created everything in his glory
2. Blessed by God who has created man and woman
3. Blessed by God who has created man in the image of God
4. Blessed by God who makes Zion rejoice with the children
5. Blessed by God who brings happiness to the bride and groom
6. Blessed by God who has made both joy and gladness and who brings gladness to the bride and groom
7. Blessed by God who is the creator of the fruit of wine
After the 7 prayers are recited the bride and groom then drink the wine sharing one cup. After a few more blessings, being pronounced as husband and wife as per Civil Marriage Laws, the groom gets his big moment to break the glass on the floor. The breaking of the glass symbolizes that the temple was destroyed. The breaking glass also represents that relationships are fragile, can be difficult to repair if damaged and that it’s both the bride and groom’s responsibility to care for it.
Following this the couple retires to a private room for a short period that symbolizes the new union in their home together. Then there is a festive meal along with the reception to join their guests for extended celebration.
With Jewish wedding traditions, there is traditionally music and festive dancing. During the celebration and reception a common Jewish wedding tradition is the wedding dance. This is a circle dance called the Hora. Here the guests get into a circle and dance around the bride and groom. The bride and groom are lifted up in chairs to symbolize trust and raised to symbolise they are special on their wedding day. For parents that celebrate their last child in marriage, they too are honoured in a circle dance and crowned with a ring of flowers. A joy for the bride and groom, a joy for the parents to have the blessing of their children married.
Jewish weddings traditions are full of symbolism and are cause for happy celebration. It is thought that once married the bride and groom are complete and that man and woman belong together.