George Boyle
Jewish weddings are steeped in sacred rituals and joyous celebrations. One of the most important elements of a Jewish wedding is the Sheva Brachot, or the Seven Blessings, which are recited under the chuppah (wedding canopy) and during the wedding meal. These blessings are chanted in Hebrew and sometimes also read in English, with the community bestowing their blessings on the newlywed couple. The Sheva Brachot are also recited during the seven festive meals that follow the wedding, where the bride and groom are treated like royalty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Blessings | 7 |
| Name | Sheva Brachot |
| Language | Hebrew |
| Translation | English |
| Recited Under | Chuppah (wedding canopy) |
| Recited By | Rabbi, Cantor, Honoured Guest, Friends, Family |
| Recited During | Before or after the wedding meal |
| Recited After | Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) |
| First Blessing | Kiddush (blessing over the challah) |
| Other Blessings | Blessings over the wine, bread, and Torah |
| Other Rituals | Ketubah signing, veil covering, circling, stomping on glass |
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The Sheva Brachot
The text for the Sheva Brachot varies between Sephardic and Azhkenazic Jews and from community to community. There are many English interpretations available, some of which use neutral or feminine God language instead of the traditional male imagery. The blessings are said to voice wishes for the couple to be uplifted in joy, creativity, and community. They bless the couple's love, the delight of intimacy, their flourishing joy, the reproduction of children, the laughter and friendship between them, and the peace of Jerusalem.
In Orthodox Judaism, the first six blessings are said only if a religiously valid quorum is present. On weekdays, their recitation also requires the presence of at least one person who was not present for any of the previous Sheva Brachot of the couple. The seventh blessing is often the Shehechiyanu blessing.
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The Ketubah
The content of the Ketubah is essentially a two-way contract that formalises the requirements of Jewish law regarding a husband's responsibilities towards his wife. The groom undertakes to provide his wife with three fundamental things: clothing, food, and conjugal relations. Additionally, he pledges a pre-specified sum of money to be paid to his wife in the event of divorce or his death. This monetary pledge, known as the "principal endowment", is typically 200 zuz for a virgin and 100 zuz for a widow, divorcee, or convert.
During the wedding ceremony, the Ketubah is displayed under the Chuppah (wedding canopy). After the ring exchange, it is customary to read the Ketubah aloud for all the guests to hear. The Ketubah is then moved to the reception area, where it continues to be displayed for guests to view as they enter the celebration.
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The Chuppah
The Ketubah, the official Jewish marriage contract, is displayed under the Chuppah during the ceremony and read out loud for all the guests to hear. The Chuppah ceremony is also preceded by the betrothal, during which the couple exchanges rings. After the betrothal, the bride and groom enter the Chuppah together, and the bride circles the groom seven times. This symbolises the new reality they are building together.
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The Seven Praises
The Seven Blessings, or Sheva Brachot, are a key part of a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony. The blessings are recited under the huppah (wedding canopy) and then at the meal following the wedding and during the seven days afterward. The Sheva Brachot are adapted from ancient rabbinic teachings, beginning with the blessing over the wine and ending with a communal expression of joy.
The seven blessings are about the creation of the world, humankind, the unity of loving people, and the joy of marriage. They are traditionally chanted in Hebrew and may also be read in English. In the Sephardic tradition, a parent often wraps the bride and groom in a tallit (prayer shawl) before the recitation of the blessings, to recognize the intimacy and significance of the moment.
Many contemporary couples use the theme of "blessing" to creatively interpret the reading of the Sheva Brachot. They may invite seven friends or family members to each recite one of the blessings, or they may ask all the guests in attendance to read the blessings from a wedding program. Some couples create their own blessings or ask honored guests to create their own.
The seven blessings are traditionally recited after a couple shares their vows and exchanges rings. The words that are spoken are meant to link the couple to their faith in God as the Creator of the world, the Bestower of joy and love, and the ultimate Redeemer. The blessings are also about the importance of marriage and the hope for harmony in the world.
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Blessings After Meals
The Sheva Brachot, or the Seven Blessings, are a key element in a Jewish wedding. They are recited under the huppah (wedding canopy) and then at the meal following the wedding, as well as during the week after the wedding. The Sheva Brachot are recited in Hebrew, and sometimes also in English. The blessings are traditionally chanted by a rabbi, cantor, or honoured guest, and many couples invite friends or family members to each recite one of the blessings.
The wedding meal is followed by the Grace after Meals, and the recitation of the Sheva Brachot. Before the Grace after Meals, two full cups of wine are prepared; one for the individual who leads the Grace, and the other for the Sheva Brachot blessings. The leader calls everyone to order: "Let us bless our God in whose abode there is joy, of whose bounty we have eaten." All those in attendance respond in kind. In some communities, the leader adds the Devai Haser hymn to the introduction. This hymn prays for the day when the Temple will be rebuilt and humanity will experience ultimate joy. After the grace is completed, six of the guests are invited to recite the first six blessings of the Sheva Brachot. The seventh blessing, the hagafen (wine) blessing, is recited by the person who led the Grace after Meals. They then sip from their cup, and the wine in the two cups is blended. The groom sips from one cup, and the bride from the other.
The Sheva Brachot are recited again during the seven days following the wedding, when the newlyweds are treated as royalty and invited to dine at the home of a different friend or relative each night. These festive meals are also called "Sheva Brachot". The blessings are recited again after dinner, as long as a minyan of 10 is present and there is at least one new person who wasn't at the wedding.
The Seven Blessings voice wishes for the couple to be uplifted in joy, creativity, and community. They bless the couple's love, intimacy, flourishing joy, the reproduction of children, the laughter and friendship between them, and the peace of Jerusalem.
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Frequently asked questions
Sheva Brachot, or the seven blessings, are blessings that are recited during a Jewish wedding ceremony. They are recited under the chuppah (wedding canopy) and then at the meal following the wedding and in the week after the wedding.
The Sheva Brachot are a way for the community to bestow blessings on the newlywed couple. They are recited to express joy and hope for the new union and to thank God for sustaining us and allowing us to enjoy sacred occasions.
The Sheva Brachot are usually recited by a Rabbi, or they can be divided among honoured guests. Sometimes, the blessings are sung by the wedding guests.
