Do Orthodox Jews Include Bridesmaids In Their Wedding Ceremonies?

Bridesmaids and groomsmen are not a traditional part of Jewish weddings. However, they are becoming more common in modern Jewish weddings, especially in the United States. In less religious or more secular weddings, bridesmaids and groomsmen may walk down the aisle in pairs, while in more religious weddings, they walk down the aisle separately. During the procession, the groomsmen usually enter first, followed by the best man and the groom, while the bridesmaids enter after the groom, followed by the maid of honor, ring bearer, flower girl, and finally, the bride.

Bridesmaids walk down the aisle before the bride

The processional and recessional orders in Jewish ceremonies differ from traditional Christian ceremonies. In a Jewish wedding, the bride stands on the right, and the groom on the left, under the chuppah. This is the opposite of a traditional Christian ceremony. In a Jewish wedding, both sets of parents also stand under the chuppah with the couple and rabbi.

During the procession, the bridesmaids walk down the aisle before the bride, one at a time, and the groomsmen walk down the aisle before the groom. The bridesmaids are followed by the maid or matron of honour, and then the flower girl and ring bearer, if there are any. The bride is then escorted by her parents.

In less religious or more secular weddings, the bridesmaids and groomsmen may walk down the aisle in pairs.

In an Orthodox Jewish wedding, the bride is escorted to the chuppah by both mothers, and the groom is escorted by both fathers. In another custom, the couple is escorted by their respective parents.

The bridal party is like a royal court

The bridal party has a few duties, including escorting the bride and groom down the aisle and helping them with any tasks. They are there to support the couple and share in their excitement.

In an American modern orthodox wedding, the bridal party usually walks down the aisle one by one before the bride and groom make their entrance. The bridesmaids walk in front of the bride, and the groomsmen walk before the groom. In less religious or more secular weddings, the bridesmaids and groomsmen may walk down the aisle in pairs.

The bridal party also has a role in the recessional, where the procession is reversed, and the groomsmen escort the bridesmaids.

The bride circles the groom seven times

In Jewish wedding ceremonies, it is customary for the bride to circle the groom three or seven times. This custom is usually observed in Ashkenazi communities and is not performed by Sephardic Jews. The bride circles the groom at the start of the chuppah marriage ceremony, under the wedding canopy.

There are several reasons for the bride circling the groom seven times:

• The number seven is significant in the Jewish religion, representing the seven wedding blessings, the seven days of the week, and the seven heavens.
• The seven circuits symbolise the completion of the seven-day process of Earth's creation. During these seven days, the Earth revolved on its axis seven times.
• The bride circling the groom symbolises the removal of any barriers between the couple, mirroring the story of the Israelites capturing the ancient city of Jericho after Joshua walked around its walls seven times.
• The number seven corresponds to the six days of the week that God spent creating the world, with the seventh day designated as a holy day of rest. Thus, the number seven symbolises completion and holiness.
• The seven circuits can also be seen as representing the four imahot (matriarchs) and the three avot (patriarchs).

There are also a few reasons why the bride may circle the groom three times:

• The three circuits may represent the three virtues of marriage: righteousness, justice, and loving kindness.
• The number three corresponds to the three times the Torah says, "When a man takes a wife..."
• The three circuits can also represent the groom's three biblically mandated obligations to his wife: sustenance, clothing, and intimate relations.

The groom breaks a glass

The groom breaking a glass is a famous tradition at Jewish weddings. The glass is usually wrapped in a napkin or a special bag and placed under the groom's right foot for him to break.

There are several reasons for this tradition, which dates back to the Talmud. One interpretation is that it is a reminder to temper joy with a sombre reflection on the destruction of the two Jewish temples. This interpretation is based on two accounts in the Talmud, where rabbis broke a vessel to calm an exuberant wedding celebration. The custom is also said to symbolise the fragility of human relationships and the need to 'cut' a covenant in marriage.

The breaking of the glass also has sexual connotations, symbolising the release of sexual union and, historically, the breaking of the hymen. This is why it is considered important for the groom to break the glass.

The act of breaking the glass marks the end of the wedding ceremony and the beginning of the celebrations. After the glass is broken, guests shout "Mazel Tov", clap and sing as the couple departs.

The bride and groom are escorted by their respective parents

In Jewish weddings, the bride and groom are often escorted by their respective parents. In some Jewish communities, the bride is escorted by both mothers, and the groom is escorted by both fathers, known by Ashkenazi Jews as unterfirers. In other cases, the bride and groom may be escorted by their respective parents. The escorts can also be any happily married couple, if parents are unavailable or not desired.

In Ashkenazi tradition, the bride walks around the groom three or seven times when she arrives at the chuppah. This may be derived from Jeremiah 31:22, "A woman shall surround a man". The three circuits may represent the three virtues of marriage: righteousness, justice, and loving kindness. The seven circuits may derive from the Biblical concept that seven denotes perfection or completeness.

During the procession, the rabbi and/or cantor enter first, followed by the grandparents of the bride and then the groom. The groomsmen usually enter with the best man and groom entering last. This is followed by the bridesmaids, maid of honour, ring bearer, flower girl, and finally, the bride, escorted by her parents.

The Jewish wedding ceremony is usually performed by a rabbi if held in a synagogue. The ceremony may also be conducted in a temple or another location of the couple's choosing. The ceremony is considered a serious religious event, while the wedding feast is considered a fun, lively celebration for the couple.

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