Jewish
Wedding Traditions
- by KissMeGoodnight.com
The Jewish faith is one that is deeply ensconced
in tradition. A traditional Jewish wedding follows
a number of beautiful traditions that date back for thousands
of years. The traditions include the signing of the Ketubah, the use
of the chuppah as well as traditional dances that are performed
at the wedding. The rings exchanged during a Jewish wedding
also have traditional connotations.
The
signing of the Ketubah is the traditional start to a Jewish
wedding ceremony. The Ketubah is a written agreement that not
only asserts that the bride is not already married but also
outlines the expectations that the couple hold for each other
in the marriage. This ornate document can later be framed and
prominently displayed in the couple’s home as a reminder of
their commitment. After the bride and groom have signed the
Ketubah, the groom takes one final look at his bride before
lowering her veil and beginning the wedding procession. This
tradition has biblical roots and recalls the story of Jacob
who married the wrong woman because she was veiled and he did
not realize his mistake in time.
The
wedding party traditionally precedes the couple in the
wedding procession. The bride and groom then proceed down the
aisle together accompanied by both of their parents to symbolize
that their union includes the union of both families and not
just the bride and the groom. The couple ends their procession
under a traditional canopy called a chuppah. This canopy symbolizes
that God is present and that he is sheltering and protecting
the couple.
After
the couple exchanges their wedding vows, a rabbi reads
7 traditional blessings. After the blessings the groom steps
on a wine glass to break the glass in a symbol of human frailty
and the suffering that members of the Jewish faith have endured
and this with a final blessing from the rabbi concludes the
ceremony. Unlike other traditional weddings, there is usually
not a receiving line at the conclusion of a Jewish wedding.
Tradition holds that the couple spends a few minutes alone
immediately following the wedding so many members of the Jewish
faith honor this tradition by leaving the ceremony immediately
and waiting until the reception to offer their well wishes
to the couple. This togetherness time was traditionally an
opportunity for the couple to consummate the marriage but in
modern times it is more of chance for the couple to reflect
on their wedding ceremony and the start of their life together
before the chaos of the wedding.
Even
the rings that a couple exchanges during a Jewish wedding
have traditional values. Tradition holds that the couple exchange
very simple rings that are devoid of gems, engravings or other
distinguishing marks. With nothing to distinguish the beginning
or the end of the ring, it is a beautiful symbol of a love
that endures forever with no clear beginning or end. This symbolizes
both the couples love for each other as well as God’s love
for his people.
A
traditional Jewish wedding reception features many dances. An energetic dance called the Hora is performed at many traditional
Jewish weddings. In this dance the bride and groom hold a handkerchief
between them while they are seated in chairs and hoisted into
the air by their guests. This dance is a celebration of the
bride and groom and recognizes the significance of their union.
If this wedding represents the last son or daughter of one
of the parents to be married there are a few more traditional
dances that may take place. If the bride was the last in her
family to be married, she and her sisters may honor their mother
in a tradition known as Krenzi. The mother is crowned with
flowers and her daughters honor her in the form of dance. Also,
if either the bride or groom was the youngest to be married
both of the parents will be honored through the Mizinke dance.
In this tradition all of the guests circle the parents and
shower them with flowers and praise.
The Jewish faith is a faith that is full of history and tradition.
Many couples and their guests choose to honor these traditions
by incorporating them into their wedding ceremony and reception.
Many of these traditions are the defining moments of the celebration
and they lend an atmosphere of historical significance to the
wedding.
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KissMeGoodnight.com : 2005
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