Junior Rasmussen
A Jewish wedding is a ceremony that follows Jewish laws and traditions. While the ceremonies vary, there are some common features, including a ketubah (a marriage contract) signed by two witnesses, a chuppah or huppah (a wedding canopy), and the groom giving the bride a ring. The ketubah is a legally binding agreement that outlines the groom's obligations to the bride, such as food, clothing, and marital relations. The chuppah symbolises the new home being built by the couple. The wedding ceremony usually takes place under this canopy, and guests are expected to dress in smart casual attire. In addition to the two witnesses, a Jewish wedding may also include bridesmaids, groomsmen, and a best man, although these roles are not considered traditional.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of male witnesses required to sign the ketubah | 2 |
| Minimum number of people required to recite the last blessing | 3 |
| Minimum number of people required for the blessings of the nuptials | 10 |
| Number of male, unrelated witnesses observing the seclusion of the bride and groom | 2 |
| Number of groomsmen | Variable |
| Typical male guest attire | Smart casual |
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What You'll Learn
- Two male witnesses are required to sign the ketubah (marriage contract)
- A minyan (community of ten) is required for the blessings of the nuptials
- The groom gives the bride a ring, traditionally a plain band, under the chuppah (wedding canopy)
- The veiling ritual, known as badeken, is performed by the groom
- The bride and groom are escorted to the chuppah by their parents
Two male witnesses are required to sign the ketubah (marriage contract)
A Jewish wedding is a ceremony that follows Jewish laws and traditions. One of the oldest traditions is the ketubah, a marriage contract written in Aramaic and signed by two male witnesses. The ketubah outlines the groom's obligations to the bride, including food, clothing, and marital relations. It also states that the groom has "acquired" the bride and agrees to support her.
While the ketubah was once male-oriented, modern ketubot are more egalitarian. They are often written in Hebrew and English and detail how the couple will support each other and the Jewish home they are establishing. The ketubah is signed before the wedding ceremony and is considered a legally binding agreement. It is then read aloud under the chuppah, either in the original Aramaic or in translation.
The two male witnesses who sign the ketubah are typically not closely related to the couple. However, family and friends are usually present for the signing. The witnesses play an important role in the wedding, as their signatures are required for the ketubah to be valid.
In addition to the ketubah, other key elements of a Jewish wedding include the chuppah or huppah (wedding canopy), the exchange of rings, and the breaking of a glass. The chuppah symbolizes the new home being built by the couple and is often placed outdoors under an open sky. The ring is typically a simple metal band, and the groom places it on the bride's finger while reciting a declaration of commitment.
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A minyan (community of ten) is required for the blessings of the nuptials
A minyan, or a community of ten, is required for the blessings of the nuptials in a Jewish wedding. The minyan symbolises the integration of the married couple into the Jewish community. The presence of a minyan during the wedding ceremony is also said to declare that the marriage is celebrated before God, and that the union has cosmic significance.
The requirement for a minyan at a Jewish wedding is a relatively recent development. In Talmudic times, the nuptials and betrothal were two distinct ceremonies that were separated by up to a year. The nuptials were emphasised, while the betrothals were often held informally at home. However, this loose structure led to many "doubtful" marriages, so the community began to require an ordained rabbi and a minyan to be present at the betrothal for the public pronouncement of the blessings.
The blessings of the nuptials may not be recited if there is no minyan present. In addition, the seven nuptial blessings that are recited on each of the seven days following the wedding also require a minyan. If there is no minyan, only the last blessing, asher bara, may be recited, but this still requires the presence of at least three people.
The minyan is typically made up of ten adult Jewish males, including the groom and his two witnesses. However, in more progressive Jewish communities, adult women may also be counted in the minyan, with a requirement of ten men and ten women.
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The groom gives the bride a ring, traditionally a plain band, under the chuppah (wedding canopy)
A Jewish wedding is a ceremony that follows Jewish laws and traditions. While wedding ceremonies vary, a common feature of a Jewish wedding is the groom giving the bride a ring under the chuppah (wedding canopy). The chuppah symbolises the new home being built by the couple when they become husband and wife. The groom gives the bride a ring, traditionally a plain band without stones or marks, and recites a declaration:
> Behold, you are consecrated/betrothed to me with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel.
The ring is placed on the bride's forefinger or, in contemporary Jewish circles, directly onto the ring finger. The groom's declaration is made in the presence of two witnesses, who also sign the ketubah before the wedding ceremony. The ketubah details the groom's commitments to the bride, including food, clothing, and marital relations. The ketubah is then read under the chuppah, usually in its original Aramaic text, and given to the groom to hand to the bride.
The chuppah is a canopy held up by four poles. The canopy can be made of cloth or velvet, or it can be a tallit (a prayer shawl) worn by the groom, which he wraps around himself and his bride after the ceremony, signifying their joining. The chuppah is traditionally placed outdoors under an open sky. The couple stands under the chuppah during the wedding ceremony, along with their family. Before the ceremony, the bride is escorted to the chuppah by both mothers, and the groom is escorted by both fathers. The bride then walks around the groom three or seven times, symbolising the building of a wall of love around the relationship.
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The veiling ritual, known as badeken, is performed by the groom
The veiling ritual, known as the badeken, is performed by the groom and is one of the most emotional parts of a Jewish wedding. The term comes from the Yiddish word 'to cover' and is a short but meaningful ceremony where the groom covers the bride's face with her veil. The badeken is steeped in multiple layers of meaning and emotion and is a momentous ritual.
The badeken is often the first time the bride and groom see each other on their wedding day, and for religious couples, it may be the first time they have seen each other for 24 hours or even seven days. The ceremony takes place immediately before the chuppah (the wedding canopy) and brings both families together to impart blessings upon the couple. The badeken can be held anywhere, from a separate room to the aisle itself.
The custom originates from the biblical story of Jacob, who was tricked by his father-in-law Laban into marrying Leah, instead of Rachel, as her face was covered by a veil. The groom, therefore, has a chance to confirm his bride's identity before their marriage. Another reason for the veil is the story of Rebecca, who veiled herself when she first met Isaac, her future husband. The veil also symbolises that the groom is interested in the bride's inner beauty, which will never fade.
In an Orthodox Jewish wedding, the bride and groom hold two separate receptions before the badeken. The bride is seated on her bridal throne, receiving guests, while the groom holds a Tisch, seated with family, friends, and the rabbi. The groom is expected to give a d'var Torah, an interpretation of the weekly Torah portion.
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The bride and groom are escorted to the chuppah by their parents
A Jewish wedding ceremony involves many rituals and customs, each symbolising the beauty of the relationship between a husband and wife, as well as their obligations to each other and the Jewish community. One such custom is the escort of the bride and groom to the chuppah by their parents.
The chuppah is a canopy under which the Jewish couple stands during their wedding ceremony. It is a focal point of the ceremony and represents the shelter and privacy of the home that the couple will create following their marriage. The chuppah is usually held up by four poles, and the bride and groom stand at its centre, with the walls formed by their closest family and friends.
In Ashkenazi Jewish custom, the groom covers the bride's face with a veil before they go under the chuppah, in a ritual known as badeken. The origin of this tradition is disputed, with some saying it symbolises the groom providing the bride with shelter, and others suggesting it is to be witnessed by the community, formalising the family's home. After the badeken, the bride and groom are escorted to the chuppah by their parents. In some Orthodox Jewish communities, the bride is escorted by both mothers, and the groom by both fathers, known as unterfirers in Yiddish.
The escort of the bride and groom by their parents is a way to honour them and include them in the ceremony. However, some couples may choose to have their parents stand just outside the chuppah or in the front row, as having too many people under the chuppah can be crowded and distracting. Ultimately, the decision of whether to include parents under the chuppah or not is a personal one, and couples may choose to adapt traditions to suit their preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
A minimum of two males is required for a Jewish wedding. These two males act as witnesses and sign the ketubah (marriage contract) before the wedding ceremony.
The ketubah is a legally binding marriage contract that details the groom's obligations to the bride, including food, clothing, and marital relations.
The two witnesses are typically not closely related to the couple but are usually friends.
Aside from signing the ketubah, the witnesses also observe the couple's seclusion during the week leading up to the wedding.
Yes, the father of the groom may escort him to the chuppah (wedding canopy). Additionally, the wedding may include groomsmen, but a best man is not required.
