Jewish Wedding Date Flexibility: A Cultural Tradition

Jewish weddings are steeped in tradition and ritual, and choosing a date for the ceremony is no exception. There are several factors to consider when selecting a date for a Jewish wedding, including religious, cultural, and practical considerations.

Firstly, it is customary to avoid holding weddings on the Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, which runs from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. This is because certain activities, such as work and travel, are prohibited during Shabbat, making it impractical for both the wedding party and guests. While some Reform clergy may officiate weddings before Shabbat ends, most Jewish weddings take place on Sundays.

In addition to the Shabbat, there are several other dates and periods that are considered unsuitable for Jewish weddings. Major Jewish holidays, such as Passover, Sukkot, Shavuot, Purim, Rosh HaShanah, and Yom Kippur, are off-limits, as these days are meant to focus on their unique meanings and observances. The period between Passover and Shavuot, known as the Omer, is also typically avoided, except for the 33rd day, Lag BaOmer, which is a festive day. The three weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av, a time of national mourning for the destruction of the Holy Temples, are also not considered appropriate for weddings.

On the other hand, certain days are considered particularly auspicious for Jewish weddings. Tuesdays are considered doubly good because the phrase and God saw that it was good appears twice in the account of the third day of creation in Genesis. Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the month, is also favourable, as the waxing moon is seen as a symbol of growth and fertility. The entire month of Kislev, which includes the holiday of Hanukkah, is considered a great time for weddings due to its symbolism of adding light to the world.

Tuesday is considered an auspicious day for a Jewish wedding

Tuesday: An Auspicious Day for a Jewish Wedding

For much of Jewish history, the third day of the week, Tuesday, has been considered an auspicious day for a wedding. 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. This has been interpreted by the Sages to mean that the day is doubly good — "Good for Heaven, and good for the creations".

Reasons for the Auspiciousness of Tuesday

In recounting the story of Creation, Tuesday is the only day on which the Torah uses the phrase "and God saw that it was good" twice. This has been interpreted as a sign of divine blessing and approval, making Tuesday a doubly good day for a wedding.

Other Factors in Choosing a Wedding Date

While Tuesday is considered a good day for a Jewish wedding, there are also other considerations that play a role in setting the date. These include the couple's convenience, the timing of the wedding season, and avoiding a chuppat niddah. Additionally, certain days are prohibited for weddings due to halachic technicalities or the nature of the day.

Prohibited Days for Weddings

Jewish weddings are not held on the Shabbat or any other major holiday such as Rosh Hashanah and Pesach, as these days involve legal transactions and travel, which are not permitted. Weddings are also forbidden during certain periods of mourning, such as the three-week period between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av, and the seven-week Omer period from Passover to Shavuot.

Preferred Days for Weddings

While there is no single "ideal" day for a Jewish wedding, some days are considered more auspicious than others. In addition to Tuesday, the beginning of a Jewish month (Rosh Chodesh) is considered auspicious, as are the first fifteen days of the waxing moon. The month of Adar, which is traditionally associated with joy, is also considered a lucky month for a wedding.

In summary, while Tuesday is considered an auspicious day for a Jewish wedding, the choice of date ultimately depends on various factors and considerations that are important to the couple and their community.

Weddings are forbidden on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot, and the first and last days of Sukkot

Jewish custom has prohibited marriages on specific dates and times during the Jewish year. A strict interpretation of Jewish law prohibits work on certain days: Shabbat, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, and the first and last days of festivals, such as Passover and Sukkot. As weddings historically involved a monetary transaction and the signing of a legal contract, both were considered forms of work, and thus forbidden on these days.

Although contemporary Jews and Jewish movements may not view weddings as legal transactions, most rabbis maintain the custom of not officiating weddings on these days. There is an additional reason not to officiate weddings on Shabbat and festivals: the Rabbinic sages taught that weddings are not celebrated on these days “because we do not mix one simchah with another”.

Therefore, weddings are forbidden on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot, and the first and last days of Sukkot. However, weddings may be held on Purim, the intermediate days of Sukkot, and during Hanukkah.

The Sabbath is also prohibited for weddings

Jewish weddings are not held on the Sabbath, or Shabbat, because work and travel are prohibited on this day. The Sabbath is considered a day of rest, and activities such as writing, driving, and turning on electric lights are not allowed. Since weddings historically involved a monetary transaction and the signing of a legal contract, they were considered forms of work and thus prohibited by Rabbinic law.

Additionally, the Rabbinic sages taught that weddings should not be celebrated on the Sabbath "because we do not mix one simchah (happiness) with another". This means that each opportunity for joy and celebration should be observed individually and not combined with another. For this reason, two members of the same family could not be married on the same day.

While some Jewish clergy are willing to officiate weddings during the Sabbath, it can be difficult to find a rabbi or cantor who is available and willing to do so, as they are often preoccupied with leading worship, study, and servicing their communities. Furthermore, if a couple chooses to get married on the Sabbath, they may face challenges such as finding a venue and vendors that are open and operating on that day, as well as ensuring that their guests, especially those who are observant, are comfortable attending a wedding on the Sabbath.

The Hebrew month of Kislev is an extremely auspicious time for Jewish weddings

The Hebrew month of Kislev is considered an extremely auspicious time for Jewish weddings. The entire month is considered a time of celebration, as it is the month in which the holiday of Hanukkah falls. The message of Hanukkah is the eternal power of light over darkness and good over evil. This symbolism of adding light to the world, and the idea that light, like love, grows when shared, makes it a wonderful time to begin a marriage.

The holiday of Hanukkah also has a practical benefit for weddings. In North America, sundown comes earlier, so Saturday evening weddings are not likely to conflict with Shabbat. This is especially beneficial for Jewish weddings, as they are not usually held on Fridays or Saturdays.

The date of a Jewish wedding is not chosen arbitrarily, and there are several other auspicious dates throughout the year. For example, Tuesdays are considered "doubly good" as the phrase "and God saw that it was good" appears twice in the account of the third day of creation. Similarly, the beginning of each Jewish month, or Rosh Chodesh, is considered an auspicious time for a couple to begin their married life together.

There are also dates that are prohibited for Jewish weddings. These include major Jewish holidays such as Passover, Sukkot, Shavuot, Purim, Rosh HaShanah, and Yom Kippur.

The first day of the Jewish month, or Rosh Chodesh, is considered a good day for a wedding

The first day of the Jewish month, or Rosh Chodesh, is considered an auspicious date for a wedding. In fact, it is one of the few named dates that is considered extremely auspicious for a Jewish wedding.

Rosh Chodesh is considered a good day for a couple to begin their married life together. The waxing moon is seen as a symbol of growth and fertility, and the moon is a metaphor for the Jewish nation. The days of the month when the moon is waxing are considered auspicious days for a Jewish couple to marry.

In some communities, couples would choose Rosh Chodesh for their wedding day, perhaps influenced by the symbolism of the moon. However, they would avoid any conflict with Shabbat or other prohibited days.

While Rosh Chodesh is considered a good day for a wedding, there are also other days that are considered auspicious, such as Tuesdays. 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, making Tuesday a doubly good day.

On the other hand, there are also days that are prohibited for Jewish weddings, such as Shabbat, certain Jewish holidays, and periods of mourning.

Frequently asked questions