Junior Rasmussen
Jewish weddings are full of unique traditions and ceremonies, which makes them a wonderful event to photograph. However, it can be a challenge to capture all the important moments, especially if you are unfamiliar with the customs. From the signing of the ketubah, a Jewish marriage contract, to the hora dance, there are many significant rituals to be aware of. It's also important to know that Jewish wedding ceremonies are traditionally held outside, so photographers should be prepared for this. In addition, at Orthodox weddings, female photographers may not be allowed to photograph the groom getting ready, or be close to the rabbi during the ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding ceremony location | Traditionally held outside |
| Dress code | Modest, covering shoulders, knees, and possibly elbows |
| Physical contact | Avoid touching those of the opposite sex |
| Key moments | Signing of the ketubah (Jewish marriage license), the groom's tisch, the hora dance, the blessing of the challah bread, the chuppah |
| Photography tips | Capture wide-angle and close-up photos from a variety of angles, focus on expressions, reactions, and emotions |
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What You'll Learn
The signing of the Ketubah (Jewish marriage license)
The signing of the Ketubah, or Jewish marriage license, is a longstanding tradition that has been an essential part of Jewish weddings for over 2,000 years. It is considered integral to a traditional Jewish marriage, outlining the groom's rights and responsibilities in relation to the bride. In modern ceremonies, the Ketubah may also outline the rights and responsibilities of one bride to another or one groom to another.
The Ketubah is a marriage contract, usually written in Aramaic, the technical legal language of Talmudic law. In Orthodox Jewish weddings, the contract is written in Aramaic, while in modern Jewish practices, it may be written in Hebrew with an English translation, or purchased from a template with words that better suit the couple's relationship. The text is typically approved by the officiating Rabbi, and outlines the groom's financial obligations to his wife, as well as what the wife is entitled to in the event of divorce or death. In contemporary practices, the couple may also outline what they will provide to one another during their marriage, similar to vows.
The signing of the Ketubah usually takes place in a private room, shortly before the wedding ceremony. The room is attended by the Rabbi, the wedding couple, close family, and two witnesses. In Orthodox Jewish weddings, the witnesses must be two unrelated male adults, who sign the document using their Hebrew names. In modern practices, the witnesses can be male or female, observant or not, and the couple may also sign the document along with their witnesses.
The Ketubah is a significant form of Jewish ceremonial art, with styles and decorations chosen by the couple to represent their personal styles. It is a meaningful tradition and an important ritual that photographers should be prepared to capture, along with other unique aspects of a Jewish wedding.
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The groom's Tisch (lecture)
The grooms' tisch, meaning "table" in Yiddish, is a traditional pre-wedding gathering that takes place before the ceremony. It is an intimate event where the groom is joined by his male relatives and close friends. The tisch is usually held in a separate room or area from where the bride and her female relatives gather.
The groom sits at the head of the table, surrounded by his guests. The atmosphere is often joyous, with singing, storytelling, and humorous anecdotes. The purpose of the tisch is to honour and celebrate the groom's upcoming marriage while offering him words of wisdom, support, and encouragement.
One of the key components of the tisch is the study of Torah and Jewish texts. The groom, or a respected rabbi, may deliver a lecture or engage in discussions about Jewish teachings, values, and marital responsibilities. The groom attempts to present a lecture on the week's Torah portion, while his male friends and family may heckle and interrupt him.
The signing of the ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract, is another important ritual during the tisch. The ketubah outlines the groom's obligations to his bride and is a legally binding document in Jewish law. The witnesses, often including the rabbi, sign the ketubah during this gathering.
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The Chuppah (ceremony under a canopy)
The Chuppah, or wedding canopy, is a crucial element of a Jewish wedding ceremony. It represents the new Jewish home being created by the couple through their marriage. The Chuppah is a square cloth, usually made of silk or velvet, supported by four poles, and traditionally held by four men.
The Chuppah ceremony is conducted outdoors, under the sky, as Jewish wedding ceremonies are traditionally held outside as a sign of God's blessings to Abraham. However, if the wedding is held indoors, a special opening may be built to allow the ceremony to be performed under the open sky. In some traditions, such as in Yemenite communities, the couple is secluded in a highly decorated bridal chamber instead of standing under the canopy.
The Chuppah ceremony follows the betrothal, during which the couple exchanges vows and rings. After the betrothal, the wedding party, including the bride and groom, escorted by their parents, enters the main ceremony area where the Chuppah is set up. The bride and groom stand under the Chuppah, symbolising the shelter and privacy of the home they will create together.
The Chuppah ceremony is followed by Yichud, a private moment for the newly married couple to reflect on their marriage before rejoining the celebration.
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The Hora Dance (circle dance)
The Hora is a traditional Romanian and Israeli circle dance, widely performed at Jewish wedding receptions. It is a lively and energetic dance, usually performed to the song "Hava Nagila", or "Siman Tov U'Mazal Tov". The Hora is a great way to get everyone up and dancing, and it is customary to raise the bride and groom on chairs in the middle of the circle.
The dance begins with guests holding hands and dancing in circles around the newlyweds. Guests who are unfamiliar with the Hora can simply walk or skip in a circle, while those who know the dance can perform the traditional steps. The Hora is typically danced in a counterclockwise direction, with each dancer taking three steps forward and one step back. It is a very inclusive dance, with guests of all ages, religions, and cultures joining in to celebrate the newlywed couple.
At religious, Orthodox Jewish weddings, men and women dance the Hora separately, with a dividing wall. However, at Reform, Liberal, and Jew-ish weddings, everyone dances together. The Hora is a highly customizable dance, and there is no right or wrong time to perform it. Some couples choose to do it before dinner, while others wait until later in the evening.
As a photographer, it is important to be prepared for the Hora, as it is a very active and dynamic part of the wedding. Get yourself in position to capture the expressions of the couple when they are raised up in chairs, as well as the interactions and reactions of the guests as they dance around them. The Hora is a perfect opportunity to capture the joy and excitement of the wedding reception.
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The Kabbalat Panim (welcoming guests)
The Kabbalat Panim, or "welcoming guests", is a crucial part of a Jewish wedding ceremony. It is a pre-chuppah reception that takes place before the wedding ceremony begins and usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour and a half. During this time, the guests are welcomed into the kabbalat panim, which translates as "receiving faces". There are traditionally two separate ceremonies: the male guests go to the groom's table, and the women attend the bride in another room. However, many couples choose to welcome guests of any gender. In this case, the couple sets up their own tisch tables and separately welcomes their guests.
The Kabbalat Panim is followed by the Bedeken, or traditional veiling ceremony, where the groom is danced towards his bride by his guests. This is the moment when the couple truly notices each other for the first time on their wedding day.
As a photographer, it is important to be aware of the different traditions and customs that may take place during the Kabbalat Panim. For example, the bride and groom may bestow blessings on their guests individually, which is an intimate gesture. It is also important to note that the groom's tisch is a traditional part of a Jewish wedding where the groom attempts to present a lecture on the week's Torah portion while his male friends and family interrupt and heckle him.
To capture the essence of the Kabbalat Panim, photographers should aim to document the intimate moments and emotions shared between the couple and their guests. This may include capturing the expressions on the couple's faces as they welcome their guests and the joy and excitement of the guests as they celebrate and dance.
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Frequently asked questions
Key moments include the signing of the Ketubah (the Jewish marriage license), the groom's Tisch (where he presents a lecture on the week's Torah portion), the Bedeken ceremony (the veiling of the bride), the Chuppah (the ceremony where the couple stands beneath a cloth supported by four poles), and the Hora dance.
Jewish weddings are often held outdoors as a sign of the blessings given by God to Abraham. They are filled with traditions and ceremonies, including the blessing of the Challah bread, Israeli dancing, and heartfelt speeches from friends and family.
It is important to dress modestly, covering your shoulders, knees, and possibly elbows. If you are photographing an Orthodox Jewish wedding, it is customary for female photographers to avoid photographing the groom getting ready and to refrain from physical contact with people of the opposite sex.
Be prepared for a lot of action and position yourself to capture the expressions of the couple and guests during key moments, such as when they are raised on chairs during the Hora dance. Use a combination of wide-angle and close-up photos from various angles to capture the emotions and candid moments. Utilize the Chuppah as a beautiful backdrop for family portraits or artistic couples' portraits.
Research and understand the different traditions and variations within Jewish weddings. Communicate with the couple, the rabbi, or the wedding/event manager to learn about any specific instructions or guidelines for the wedding. Check the weather forecast and ensure you are properly equipped, especially if the wedding is held outdoors.
