Rhiannon Hendricks
Hasidic weddings are intimate events, with only close family and friends in attendance. They are known for their unique customs, such as the separation of men and women during the celebrations. The women spend the evening with the bride, while the men celebrate with the groom. Another interesting custom is the mitzvah tantz, where family members or respected individuals are invited to dance with the bride by holding a cord that the bride holds at the other end. The length of a Hasidic wedding can vary, with dancing often continuing late into the night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Guest list | Only close family and very dear friends are invited |
| Dress code | Men: suit and tie with a kippah; women: long sleeves, long dress, high neckline, and a good coat in winter |
| Gifts | Gifts, cash, or something from the couple's registry |
| Food | Not mentioned, but food is presumably served |
| Entertainment | Dancing, singing, and a possible emcee (badchan) |
| Photography | Only the women can be photographed, and their faces must be concealed |
| Duration | Not mentioned, but the celebration could last multiple days |
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What You'll Learn
Men and women celebrate separately
At Hasidic weddings, men and women are separated for most of the evening. The women will chat, eat, dance, and celebrate with the bride, while the men will do the same with the groom. This separation is usually done by holding two receptions in two separate rooms or by dividing one room with a partition. The partition is often removed so that men and women can watch certain proceedings together, such as the Mitzvah Tanz, which is often emceed by a badchan, a jester who introduces the various honorees through humour and rhymes.
The separation of the sexes is a common feature of daily life in the Hasidic community, and it is based on the idea of modesty. This custom is also practised in Orthodox Synagogues to avoid distractions, especially those of a sexual nature. The concealment of femininity is integral to the lives of Hasidic women, who are not allowed to be seen in the outside world or within their own community.
The women at these weddings are expected to dress modestly, with long sleeves that cover their elbows, long dresses that cover their knees, and necklines that cover their collarbones. The men are expected to wear suits and ties, along with kippahs to cover their heads.
The wedding ceremony itself is held under a canopy called a chuppah, and it usually takes place outdoors. The bride and groom are walked to the chuppah by their parents and grandparents, and they circle each other seven times while music is played. After the ceremony, the couple may participate in the Ashkenazi practice of Yichud, where they spend 8-20 minutes alone in a private room.
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Modest dress is required
For women, modest dress is required at Hasidic weddings. This means covering almost every inch of skin, including legs, shoulders, knees, and cleavage. Women should opt for a skirt or dress that covers the knees and wear hosiery if their feet are exposed. A shawl or other item with sleeves can be worn during the ceremony if the dress is sleeveless. Muted lipstick colours and subtle jewellery are also recommended.
For men, a dark-coloured suit, dress shirt, and tie are appropriate. It is also considered appropriate for both Jewish and non-Jewish men to wear a kippah, or Jewish religious head covering, if offered at the ceremony.
The level of modesty in dress may depend on the particular norms of the community in which the couple is based. For example, dress codes in Israel are much less formal, and there are likely to be fewer men in ties. On the other hand, Syrian or Persian Jewish weddings tend to be more formal, with women often wearing heels.
It is worth noting that Hasidic weddings are known for their separation of men and women, reflecting their way of life. This separation also extends to photography, where the concealment of femininity is considered integral.
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It's an intimate event
A Hasidic wedding is an intimate event, with only close family and very dear friends expected to attend. The event is marked by the separation of men and women, who celebrate in different rooms or in a single room divided by a partition. The women spend the evening with the bride, chatting, eating, dancing, and celebrating, while the men do the same with the groom.
The dress code for men is a suit and tie, with a kippah to cover the head. Women's attire should be consistent with traditional Jewish values of modesty, or tznius, with long sleeves, a long dress, and a high neckline. The celebration includes a custom known as a mitzvah tantz, where family members and respected individuals are called up to dance with the bride by grasping a cord held by the bride. The groom and the bride's father are the only men who dance directly with the bride. During this time, the partition is often removed, and men and women can observe the proceedings together.
The bride is veiled before the ceremony, and the veil is removed after she is married. This marks her transition from girlhood to wifehood. The Hasidic community maintains strict rules regarding the concealment of femininity, and women are typically not allowed to be seen outside their community. As such, photographers must find creative ways to capture images of the women while maintaining their modesty.
The presence of children is also notable at Hasidic weddings, reflecting the community's recognition of the importance of family and the role of marriage in starting a family.
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The bride wears an opaque veil
At Hasidic weddings, the sexes are separated, and men and women celebrate the occasion in different rooms or spaces. The bride is covered by an opaque veil by her future husband before the ceremony, which is removed after she is married. The veil is a striking element of the wedding, marking the bride's transition from girlhood to a wife. The custom of wearing a veil also underscores the Hasidic value of modesty and the concealment of femininity. The bride is typically only revealed to the groom and close female friends and family.
The veil is just one aspect of the unique traditions and customs observed at Hasidic weddings. For example, the mitzvah tantz is a custom in some chassidic communities where various family members or respected individuals are invited to dance "with" the bride. They dance by grasping a cord held by the bride at the other end. The groom and sometimes the bride's father are the only ones who dance directly with her. During this time, the partition between the men and women is often removed, and both groups come together to watch the proceedings.
The separation of men and women during the wedding celebrations is a reflection of the Hasidic way of life, where men and women live and celebrate separately. Despite this separation, the Hasidic weddings are described as exultant, with close connections and deep relationships between women being a notable aspect of these events.
The opaque veil worn by the bride is a powerful symbol of the transition into a new stage of life, marking the beginning of her life as a wife and the responsibilities and expectations that come with it within the Hasidic community.
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The Mitzvah Tanz dance ritual
The ritual, which predates Hasidism and was first mentioned in the medieval Machzor Vitri, is based on the Talmudic expression, "how does one dance before the bride?" The dance, descriptions of dance, and questions of behaviour during the dance appear in Jewish texts, including the Talmud, Rabbi Joseph Caro's Shulhan Arukh, responsa literature, and other rabbinical books.
During the dance, the bride, who usually stands still at one end of the room, holds one end of a long sash, gartel, or handkerchief, while the person dancing in front of her holds the other. In some variations, gloves, tablecloths, wedding dress trains, or belts are used instead of a handkerchief. The dance is usually a highly charged emotional moment and offers the bride a rare break from dancing, allowing her to sit back, be entertained, and temporarily rest.
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Frequently asked questions
The duration of Hasidic weddings is not specified, but they involve a lot of dancing and celebrating, so they could be quite long.
One unique aspect is that men and women celebrate separately. The women will spend most of the evening with the bride, and the men with the groom. There is also a custom known as a mitzvah tantz, where family members or respected individuals are called up to dance "with" the bride by grasping a cord that the bride holds at the other end.
For men, the dress code is a suit and tie, with a kippah to cover the head. For women, the dress code is modest clothing that covers the elbows, knees, and collarbone.
