By Nily Glaser
A guide to Jewish wedding customs starts with the engagement. A Jewish engagement is announced with an engagement party. The bride's and groom's mothers break a plate to sybolize the finality of the engagement
Reading of the Torah Before the Wedding
On the Shabbat morning before the wedding, the groom is reads the
Torah in the synagogue. After he recites the last blessing, the congregation
throws candies and raisins to wish him a sweet life with his wife. In traditional
weddings, the bride and groom fast on the day of their wedding until after
the ceremony to purify their souls.
Signing the Ketuba
The groom sign the Ketubah - marriage contract when he arrives
at the wedding.. The authentic text of the Ketubah is written by Simeon
ben Shetach in 80 B.C.E. Historically, the ketubah was a great leap
forward in womens rights. This ancient pre-nuptial agreement details the
husband's obligations to his wife about providing food, clothing, shelter,
and even sex. It also creates a lien on all his property to pay
her a sum of money and support in the event of a divorce..Two people must
witness the groom sign the document. Jewish males sign the document
as witnesses. It is a legally binding agreement that enforceable by 
www.hazin.co.il/ketubah10.htm
secular law in many countries. The Ketubah has evolved into a wonderful
form of art that becomes a treasured family heirloom..
Unveiling the bride
After the Ketubah is signed light snacks and some hard
liquor fare served. In Orthodox Jewish weddings, the bride
sits like a queen on a throne-like, especially decorated
chair in another room. She is surrounded by her family
and friends, receiving her guests. The groom and his
father and future father-in-law, musicians and male
guests walks over to his bride, whom he has not seen
for a week, and covers her face with her veil. This
ceremony is so the groom identifies his bride before the
wedding. If Jacob did so, he would not have been conned
to marry Leah instead of his beloved Rachel. In Jewish
tradition, a bride and groom are akin to king and
queen and sit on chairs that are highly decorated
to resemble thrones. It is a Mitzvah - commandment and
an obligation, to cause the bride and groom to rejoice. This is why in many Jewish wedding celebrations their friends who sing and dance with joy lift the bride and groom on their special chairs. The best way to rejoice with the bride and groom is to express your joy, love and best wishes.
Standing Under the Chuppah
The actual Jewish wedding ceremony is conducted under
a Chuppah or canopy. What the chuppah symbolizes
is the new home being created by the couple. It is open
on all sides, just as Abraham and Sarah had their tent
open all sides to welcome friends and relatives in
unconditional hospitality. It is customary for the bride and groom
to honor four of their best friends and siblings to hold the poles during
the ceremony. This adds love, warmth and intimacy to the ceremony.
The bride and groom stand under the chuppah during the ceremony,
with the bride to the right of the groom. Traditionally,
Jewish wedding ceremonies were held out doors under
the stars as a reminder of God's blessing, bestowed upon
Abraham that his children shall be will be as numerous as the stars
of the heavens.
In Orthodox Jewish weddings that separate men from
women, the 2 fathers or other 2 male relatives lead the www.rental-world.com
groom to the chuppah, while the bride is led by the mothers. In Conservative and Reform - less restrictive Jewish weddings, his parents accompany the groom to the chuppah and her parents accompany the bride to the chuppah.
Under the chuppah, the Rabbi recites the marriage blessings and a blessing over wine, and then a blessing that praises and thanks God for giving us laws of sanctity and morality to preserve the sanctity of family life and of the Jewish people. Both the bride and the groom then drink from the wine.
Circling the Groom
Traditionally, though not obligatory, the bride alone or with her mother and future mother-in-law circle the groom. That is go around and around him. Circling him 7 times, the bride enters the 7 spheres of her beloved’s souls.
The Jewish Wedding Ring
The groom, now takes a plain solid gold ring and places it on the index finger of the bride's right hand and in the presence of two witnesses, recites “Behold you are sanctified to me with this ring, according to the Law of Moses and Israel.” The jewish wedding ring symbolizes the concept of the groom encompassing, protecting and providing for his wife. After the ring is placed on the bride's index finger, the Ketubah is read aloud and given to the bride. At this point, the bride can place a ring on the groom's finger. The ring symbolizes the wholeness of the union and of the groom encompassing, protecting and providing for his wife. The reason for the solid plain unblemished gold ring is three fold.
1.A solid, un-blemished ring represents complete wholeness in the marriage with no holes or obstacles.
2.The bride and groom should consider the marriage and devotion to each other without considering wealth.
3.So every groom could afford to buy a ring for his bride.
Seven Blessings
The Rabbi recites seven blessing over a full cup of wine. After this, the couple share in drinking the cup of wine, and the groom breaks a glass by stamping on it.
Breaking a Glass in Jewish Weddings
This custom dates back to Talmudic times to remind us of the destruction of the holy temple in Jerusalem. Another interpretation that the smashing of the glass is irrevocable and permanent as is the marriage.. Another interpretation is that uniting a man and a woman and creating a new family is divine. After the breaking of the glass the musicians play and the guests shout Mazal tov! Mazal tov - Good Luck. reception, as Mr. and Mrs., everyone joins in dancing around the king and queen.
Nily Glaser, the CEO of A-wedding Day at: a-weddingday.com has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA. Her web site is very popular for its discount wedding gifts, bridal accessories, print your own invitations, favors and unique items including an exclusive line of wedding Accessories. http://www.a-weddingday.com
