A Wedding Before Hanukkah: Is It Possible?

While Jewish weddings are forbidden on certain holidays, such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover, they may be held during Hanukkah. In fact, Hanukkah, and the entire month of Kislev in which it is celebrated, is considered a great time for Jewish weddings due to the symbolism of adding light to the world. The holiday is also a relatively minor one in religious terms, so it's unlikely to be very inconvenient for guests. However, some people may find it difficult to plan the rest of their Hanukkah if they need to spend a lot of time and money on the first day of the festival.

Jewish weddings are not held on Shabbat (the Sabbath)

While weddings can technically be held on Saturday night after Shabbat concludes at nightfall, no preparations can begin until after sunset, making this option impractical during the winter months and nearly impossible in the summer.

In addition, Jewish tradition dictates that each opportunity for joy and celebration should be observed individually and not combined with another. This is another reason why weddings are not held on Shabbat or other Jewish holidays.

Tuesday is considered an auspicious day for a wedding

For those asking "can a wedding happen before Hanukkah?", the answer is yes. In fact, it is considered very auspicious to have a wedding during Hanukkah. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind.

Now, on to the main topic. Tuesdays are considered an auspicious day for a wedding in Jewish culture. This is because, in the account of the third day of creation, the phrase "and God saw that it was good" appears twice in the Torah (Genesis 1:10,12). Therefore, Tuesday is considered a doubly good day for a wedding.

In some communities, couples might also choose Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the Jewish month, as their wedding day. This is because the waxing moon is considered "a symbol of growth and fertility". Sunday and Wednesday were also considered good days for a wedding in Talmudic times, as the court met on Monday and Thursday, so any contention as to the bride's virginity could be lodged immediately after the wedding night.

While some days are considered preferable, there are also explicitly prohibited days for Jewish weddings. These include Shabbat (the Sabbath), Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach (Passover), Shavuot, and the first and last days of Sukkot.

The first day of the month (Rosh Chodesh) is considered auspicious

The first day of the month, Rosh Chodesh, is considered an auspicious day to begin a marriage. The waxing moon is seen as a symbol of growth and fertility, and the start of a new lunar month is an ideal time for new beginnings.

Rosh Chodesh is a time for introspection, contemplation, and personal renewal. It is a day of celebration, marking the start of a new lunar month. It is also an opportunity for communal gathering and connection, with a special focus on women. The day is marked by specific prayers, and some choose to celebrate with a festive meal or by wearing special clothes.

In ancient times, Rosh Chodesh was declared by the beit din (Jewish court) after two credible witnesses testified to seeing the new moon. Since the fourth century, however, it has been determined by a preset calendar. The length of each month varies, with some months having 29 days and others 30. This variation is taken into account when observing Rosh Chodesh.

Rosh Chodesh is considered a minor festival, but it holds significant spiritual meaning for many Jews. It is a time to reflect on the past month and look forward to the new one, setting intentions and goals for the days ahead.

In addition to being a positive day for weddings, Rosh Chodesh is also a day when people wish each other "chodesh tov," meaning "a good month." It is seen as an opportunity to connect with others and celebrate new beginnings, making it an ideal time for a wedding.

The first 15 days of the Jewish month are considered auspicious

The Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar, with months reflecting the phases of the moon. The first day of the month, Rosh Chodesh, is marked by the first sighting of the new moon.

The first 15 days of the Jewish lunar month are considered auspicious for weddings. The waxing moon is seen as a symbol of growth and fertility. The moon is a metaphor for the Jewish nation, and the days of the month when the moon is waxing are considered lucky days for a Jewish couple to marry.

The third day of the week, Tuesday, is also considered an auspicious day for a wedding. This is because the phrase "and God saw that it was good" appears twice in the account of the third day of creation in the Torah.

While certain days are considered auspicious for weddings, there are also days when weddings are prohibited. These include Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach, Shavuot, and the first and last days of Sukkot.

Hanukkah is a great time for a wedding

Hanukkah is a wonderful time of year for Jewish weddings. The Festival of Lights is a time of celebration and joy, and the symbolism of adding more light to the world makes it an especially romantic time to get married.

A time of celebration

Hanukkah is a minor holiday in religious terms, but it has major cultural significance, especially for secular Jews. It is a time of celebration and joy, and a great time to gather everyone together in a beautiful, twinkly-light-filled setting. The inherent celebratory nature of the festival means it is a great time to bring people together for a wedding.

Symbolic meaning

The symbolism of light is an important part of Hanukkah. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum, and the miracle of the oil is widely regarded as a legend. The miracle of the oil is said to have occurred when the Maccabees discovered only a small amount of oil to light the menorah in the Temple, but miraculously, it burned for eight days. This is a powerful symbol, and the idea that light grows when shared is a wonderful sentiment to incorporate into a wedding celebration.

A time for family

The timing of Hanukkah means it is a great time for a wedding as it often coincides with the Christmas period, when people are already gathering with family and friends. It is a time when people are already in a festive mood, and it is a great opportunity to bring people together to celebrate.

A time for love

The entire Hebrew month of Kislev, in which Hanukkah is celebrated, is considered an auspicious time for a wedding. The symbolism of light and the fact that the festival falls at a time when people are already in a celebratory mood makes it a great time to begin a marriage of light and happiness.

A time to be flexible

The fact that Hanukkah is a relatively minor holiday means that there are fewer restrictions on what you can and can't do. For example, there are no restrictions on work, so you can be more flexible with your plans.

Frequently asked questions