The wedding in Jewish tradition follows certain rules. It’s about celebrating the union of two people, but also their belonging to a religious life.
Two months before the wedding, the future husband and wife study seperately with a rabbi the rules of “family purity”, leading to know if they are worthy to marry.
Often the future husband and wife choose not to meet a few days before the wedding, in order to meditate on this important event
The day of the wedding is the beginning of a new life, husband and wife together, respecting the Jewish traditions; it is also the day in which their sins are forgiven.
The religious service is celebrated under the wedding canopy (huppa), a symbol of their new matrimonial home, called according to prophet Malachia, sanctuary for Eternity.
The leading towards the huppa has many different shapes according to the communities. The husband (Hatan) gives to the wife (kala) the one and only ring for their union under the eyes of two witnesses. The kala must not take off the ring for the whole ceremony.
Then the rabbi fills a glass with wine and reads the following prayer :
“Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe,
Creator of the fruit of the vine.”
The hatan then breaks a glass to finish the ceremony, a symbol to recall the destruction of Jerusalem Temple.
At the end of the ceremony, the couple takes a moment to be alone, an intimate moment to embody their union. They join afterwards their guests for a festive meal with music and dances.
- Listen to the radio show Yiddish Glik / Le Bonheur Juif, dedicated to the Jewish wedding
- Listen to the playlist : The Jewish traditional wedding, 2nd part
- Read the feature article on the Jewish wedding
