The Processional {Jewish Weddings}

Danielle — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:38:00 +0000

Today's modern wedding has several options as to how the wedding procession is determined. Jewish tradition states that since it took a mother and father to bring their child into the world then both of them should escort their child to the Chuppah. The bride's attendants will stand on the right side of the Chuppah and the Groom's side to the left of the Chuppah.

Photo Source

The Rabbi and Cantor proceed down the aisle first, giving the congregation an awareness that the ceremony is about to begin. Grandparents of the Bride and Groom proceed down the aisle and are seated on the respective sides.

The Groom's attendants proceed first with the Best Man, who has the honor of standing closest to the Groom, standing on the outside front pole of the Chuppah. Groomsmen follow in order of height. The Groom is escorted by his parents to the Chuppah. His parents stand under the left side of the Chuppah between the clergy and where the couple will stand.

The Bride's attendants follow suit but on the right side of the Chuppah. If there is a flower girl and ring bearer participating, they will walk down either separately to awaiting parents or relatives and will then be seated.

The Bride's parents proceed to the same piece of music as the rest of the wedding party. They stop one-fourth of the way up the aisle and face each other. The music then changes to the Bride's processional. The Bride walks to her parents and walks with them up to the top of the aisle. Her Groom comes to escort her to the Chuppah. Before doing so, he exchanges a loving gesture such as a hug and kiss to his future in-laws as they, too, walk under the Chuppah.

The post The Processional {Jewish Weddings} appeared first on Cherish Paperie.

The Ketubah and Bedeken Ceremonies {Jewish Weddings}

Danielle — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:46:00 +0000

The first ritual usually done is the completion, signing and witnessing of the Ketubah, or marriage contract. This contract is ordained by Mishnaic law (circa 170 CE) and according to some authorities dates back to Biblical times. The Ketubah, written in Aramaic, details the husband's obligation to his wife: food, clothing, dwelling and pleasure.

It also creates a lien on all his property to pay her a sum of money and support should he divorce her, or predecease her. The document is signed by the bride and groom and witnessed by two people - unrelated to the bride and the groom, and has the standing of a legally binding agreement, that in many countries is enforceable by secular law. The ketubah is often written as illuminated manuscript, and becomes a work of art in itself, and many couples frame it and display it in their home.

After the Ketubah is signed, the groom (or Chatan) approaches the bride (Kallah) to veil her face. This veiling is called the Bedeken. The custom of veiling recalls the predicament of Jacob, our forefather, who thought he was marrying Rachel only to discover, after the ceremony, that he had married Leah. Obviously, with the change of time, this type of confusion is no longer relevant, however, the tradition is honored.

The veiling of the Kallah makes her - literally, set apart in holiness and symbolizes what the Chatan values the most in the Kallah. The veil, which physically separates the Kallah and the Chatan, also serves to remind htem that they remain distinct individuals even as they unite in marriage.

The post The Ketubah and Bedeken Ceremonies {Jewish Weddings} appeared first on Cherish Paperie.

Cherish Paperie » Jewish Ceremonies

The Processional {Jewish Weddings}

The Ketubah and Bedeken Ceremonies {Jewish Weddings}