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The procession:
Here's one big difference between Christian and Jewish weddings: both the bride
and the groom walk down the aisle accompanied by both parents. Traditionally,
the rabbi walks out first, followed by the groom and his parents, the
grandparents, the groomsmen, the bridesmaids, the flower girl and ring bearer,
and the bride and her parents. This order is not always followed. In more
traditional weddings, the bride and her parents circle the chupah seven times, a
tradition with several different religious implications.
The
chupah: The wedding ceremony
takes place under the chupah, which is a canopy on four poles that is sometimes
decorated. The chupah symbolizes that the bride and groom are creating a home
together and that it will always be open to guests. This tradition originates
from the Biblical wedding of Abraham and Sarah.
The
wedding ceremony under the chupah:
Traditional Jewish wedding ceremonies have two parts. During the first part, the
bride and groom become betrothed and a blessing is recited over a cup of wine
that the bride and groom drink. Traditionally, the groom puts a ring on the
bride at this point, although this has become mutual at many modern weddings.
Later, the Sheva Brachot, or seven blessings, are recited over another
glass of wine. Relatives and close friends are sometimes asked to recite this
blessing to honor them.
The
ketubah: The ketubah
is a Jewish wedding contract. The rabbi reads it under the chupah after the ring
ceremony. Many couples frame their ketubah and display it in their home.
Traditionally, the ketubah was written in Aramaic, but today many Jews
use Hebrew instead.
The
breaking of the glass: At
the conclusion of the ceremony, the groom (and in some modern ceremonies, the
bride as well) smashes a glass with his foot. (In Israeli weddings, the glass is
broken after the ketubah reading) The meaning of this act is disputed.
One interpretation is that the marriage will last as long as the glass is
broken-- forever. Another interpretation is that people need to remember those
who are suffering even in their greatest moments of joy, and to remember the
destruction of the second temple. After the breaking of the glass, the guests
yell, "Mazel Tov!" which means good luck.
The Kabbalat Panim and
the Badeken: Weddings that
are more traditional include these two ceremonies before the procession to the
chupah. The bride and groom each have their own Kabbalat Panim
receptions in separate rooms where attendants wish them well. Afterwards, in the
Badeken ceremony, the groom veils the bride, which symbolizes that he
loves her for more than just her outer beauty.
