|
| » Wedding Ideas » Jewish Wedding |
|
|
|
|
Jewish Wedding |
|
| |
The charm of a traditional Jewish wedding is immense. The Jewish people have several customs which are followed meticulously by the faithful to this day.
My Dear Valentine is giving some idea of Jewish wedding for all to know.
Traditionally, the Jewish marriage is called kiddushin. It means dedication or sanctification. According to this concept, the marriage between two persons is not only a social arrangement or physical union, but the fulfillment of mitzvah, which is Divine precept.
And dedication revolves around the concept of the couple in an exclusive relationship, something like “one soul in two bodies”. Traditional Jewish marriage starts with shidduch, which means matchmaking. In the process of choosing a partner, physical attraction, other serious and logical conclusions about the compatibility of the match are taken into account.
The bride and the groom do meet several times before marriage to discuss relevant issues, but conservative Jews follow what is stated in the Jewish laws that there should not be any physical contact between a man and a woman before marriage.
Engagement precedes the actual wedding ceremony. After the bride or the groom has been selected, both the families announce it with a small ceremony known as vort. Some families go through the formality of signing a contract known as the tenaim. Tenaim puts down in writing what is expected from the couple and their families, the obligations, as far as the wedding is concerned, and settles the date of the wedding. The couple stops seeing each other one week before their marriage as this is supposed to enhance the joy of their marriage.
Another revered aspect of Jewish wedding is the ketuvah - a marriage contract dating back to Biblical times. Ketuvah, usually written in Aramaic and signed by the groom, lists all his obligations to his wife. Many countries enforce ketuvah by law. Ketuvah can become a piece of art if it is well prepared and often some couples mount the framed ketuvah on the walls.Bedekin is another ceremony which is observed by the Jews before marriage. The groom accompanied by his father and father- in- law covers the face of his future bride with a veil.
This is actually the groom identifying his bride and has legal connotations. In this ceremony, family members are present and food and drinks are partaken of. Next is chuppah. The groom wears a white kittel signifying the new beginning of life by the couple without the shadow of past sins, and when the bride arrives with her mother, she circles the groom seven times with her own mother and mother-in-law to symbolize the role of a protective and loving woman of the house. Seven signifies the seven days of creation and the fact that in marriage new life will be created.
Now comes one of the most solemn and respected ceremonies, kiddushin. In this ceremony the groom places a golden ring on the finger of the bride. The plain gold band has a lot of significance. It symbolizes the groom surrounding, shielding and providing for his wife. Then the ketuvah is read out loudly in front of the rabbi and assorted guests. After this, sheva brachos (blessings) and cheder yichud are performed. With all these ceremonies, the enthralling Jewish wedding ceremony comes to an end.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Wedding Ideas |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
