The Timeless Duration Of Hasidic Jewish Weddings: A Cultural Exploration

Hasidic Jewish weddings are central to the community's life and are celebrated every day, except on the Sabbath. The wedding ceremony itself is quite short, often no more than 20 minutes, and includes prayers and blessings, songs, and a few words of Torah.

Hasidic Jewish weddings are short, often no more than 20 minutes

The first stage of the Jewish wedding process is kiddushin (Hebrew for "betrothal"; sanctification or dedication, also called erusin). This is when the couple start their life together. It is at the first stage when the woman becomes prohibited to all other men, requiring a get (religious divorce) to dissolve it, while the second stage permits the couple to each other. The ceremony that accomplishes nissuin is also known as chuppah.

Today, erusin/kiddushin occurs when the groom gives the bride a ring or other object of value with the intent of creating a marriage. There are differing opinions as to which part of the ceremony constitutes nissuin/chuppah, such as standing under the canopy and being alone together in a room (yichud).

The separation of the sexes is the basis of their way of life, and although I am uncomfortable around such extreme inequality, I feel privileged to be allowed into this exclusive world. As a secular Jew, Hasidism has always been foreign to me, but as I record one of the most important moments of their lives, being accepted by them — however briefly — has been a revelation.

Weddings are central to the community’s life. In the secular world, people socialize at bars, clubs etc. — all places forbidden to this group. Weddings are celebrated everyday, except on the Sabbath and are gathering places where men and women, separated by the “mechitzah” (movable wall), dance, drink and enjoy themselves.

The ceremony includes prayers, blessings, songs, and Torah

A Hasidic Jewish wedding is a short affair, often lasting no more than 20 minutes. The ceremony is split into two stages: kiddushin (Hebrew for 'betrothal') and nissuin (marriage). The first stage is when the couple start their life together and the woman becomes prohibited to all other men. The second stage is when the couple are permitted to each other.

The ceremony itself is short and sweet, with prayers, blessings, songs, and Torah being said. The groom will step on and break a glass to signify the end of the ceremony.

The Hasidic community is very traditional and men and women are separated during the ceremony. The separation of the sexes is the basis of their way of life.

The Hasidic community is very exclusive and weddings are central to their life. The Hasidic community is very traditional and weddings are celebrated every day, except on the Sabbath. The weddings are gathering places where men and women, separated by the “mechitzah” (movable wall), dance, drink and enjoy themselves.

The groom breaks a glass to signify the end of the ceremony

The groom breaking a glass to signify the end of the ceremony is a Hasidic Jewish wedding tradition. The ceremony itself is quite short, often no more than 20 minutes or so. Some prayers and blessings will be said, a couple of songs will be sung, and someone might say a few words of Torah. Then the groom will step on and break a glass and that will be it.

The breaking of the glass signifies the end of the ceremony and the start of the couple's life together. The glass is typically broken by the groom, who steps on it with his right foot. This is a symbolic act that represents the destruction of the world to come and the start of a new life together.

The Hasidic Jewish community is very traditional and observant when it comes to weddings. The ceremony is often very short and intimate, with only the immediate family and friends in attendance. The groom and bride are often separated during the ceremony, with men and women sitting separately by gender.

The Hasidic Jewish wedding tradition of breaking a glass to signify the end of the ceremony is a symbolic act that represents the destruction of the world to come and the start of a new life together. It is a beautiful and meaningful tradition that reflects the values and beliefs of the Hasidic Jewish community.

Men and women are separated during the wedding

In Hasidic Jewish culture, separation of the sexes is the basis of their way of life. During a wedding, men and women are separated by a "mechitzah" (movable wall). This separation is integral to their lives and extends to most of their daily activities.

The Hasidic wedding ceremony itself is quite short, often no more than 20 minutes. It typically involves prayers and blessings, a few songs, and someone saying a few words of Torah. The groom then steps on and breaks a glass, which marks the end of the ceremony.

During the celebration, men and women dance, drink, and enjoy themselves separately. The groom will go see the bride at some point, and then everyone moves on to the place where the wedding ceremony will take place. If people are sitting separately by gender at the ceremony, it is recommended to follow the crowd and do the same.

This separation of the sexes is a central part of the community's life, and it is important to respect their traditions and customs. It is also worth noting that photos of Hasidic weddings are often not displayed publicly, as concealment of femininity is integral to their lives.

The wedding is a gathering place for the community to socialize

The Hasidic community inspires the curiosity of outsiders, but cannot display their pictures publicly; concealment of femininity is integral to their lives. During a Hasidic wedding, as in most of their daily activities, men and women are separated; it is my job to photograph the women.

Technically, the Jewish wedding process has two distinct stages. The first, kiddushin (Hebrew for "betrothal"; sanctification or dedication), and nissuin (marriage), is when the couple start their life together. It is at the first stage (kiddushin) when the woman becomes prohibited to all other men, requiring a get (religious divorce) to dissolve it, while the second stage permits the couple to each other.

The ceremony that accomplishes nissuin is also known as chuppah. Today, erusin/kiddushin occurs when the groom gives the bride a ring or other object of value with the intent of creating a marriage.

Jewish wedding ceremonies are actually quite short. Often no more than 20 minutes or so. Some prayers and blessings will be said, a couple of songs will be sung, and someone might say a few words of Torah. Then the groom will step on and break a glass and that will be it.

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