Jewish wedding checklist
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Officially, a Jewish wedding requires only the bride, the groom and two witnesses to the ceremony. A rabbi or mesader kiddushin (the wedding official) presides over the proceedings only to ensure that proper Judaic law is followed. In practice, a Jewish wedding is a rite of passage wrought with ritual and tradition. The bride and groom move from their betrothal into life together in a ceremony designed to symbolize their relationship with God.
The Mikveh
The mikveh prepares the bride's spirit for marriage.
A ritual bath, the mikveh is about more than just physical cleanliness. Performed by Jewish brides for centuries, it's a spiritual preparation for entrance into married life. It is a ritual she'll continue throughout her marriage to cleanse herself after her menstrual cycle, but "fundamentally, mikveh is not about 'uncleanliness' but about human encounters with the power of the holy," notes the website My Jewish Learning. Mikveh prepares the body and spirit for sexual intimacy.
The Ketubah
The ketubah has ancient roots.
Before they may live together, a couple must have a ketubah, or wedding contract, completed by the officiating rabbi or mesader kuddushin and signed by two witnesses, as required by Jewish law. A ketubah can be a plain document or an ornate work of art. It describes the groom's obligations in 10 areas mandated by the Torah or by rabbinical mandate. Historically this was done to require a husband to "pay a substantial imbursement" should he divorce his wife.
The Chuppah
The chuppah symbolizes the bride entering into the groom's house.
The chuppah, or huppah, is a canopy hung from four poles, under which the wedding ceremony takes place. Usually made from ornate material, the chuppah is a sacred place. The bride and groom remove any jewelry or valuables from their persons before approaching the chuppah. Traditionally, the chuppah is set outside and has 10 Jewish adult men in attendance. Some buildings have a skylight above the ceremony area to honor this tradition.
The Kallah
The wedding dress and bouquet are standard at most any wedding.
A kallah (bride) needs a veil for the badeken ceremony, where the groom covers his bride's face with her veil. If she is an Orthodox Jew, she will need a sheitel, or wig, because married women traditionally cover their hair. An Orthodox Jewish woman will also need seven outfits, one for each of the seven days of sheva brachot, the post-ceremony celebration. Immediately after the ceremony, the couple spends a short time alone together in a place called the yichud room. All brides will need a groom gift for this.
The Chosson
The bride may give the groom a ring after the wedding.
Though a chosson (Jewish groom) should wear a yarmulke, or skullcap, he has the option of wearing his kittel (a formal outfit used for burial) and a tallit (prayer shawl). Both are standard for Orthodox Jews- however, the most important thing he needs is a wedding band to present to his bride under the chuppah. It is inappropriate for the bride to give the groom a ring until after the wedding, notes the website My Jewish Learning. The groom should also have a yichud room gift for his bride.
The Ceremony
The rabbi reads from the Torah.
After the ketubah is read to the assembled guests, the couple speaks the seven blessings, or Sheva Berakhot, before the Torah is read. Aufruf, or being called up to the Torah, is traditionally the role of the groom, but modern weddings call up the bride as well. The honor of reciting the blessings is called aliya, which means going up and refers to a spiritual as well as physical ascent. The couple should learn the Sheva Berakhot before the ceremony.
The Kippot
Males traditionally wear a kippah, or yarmulke.
For the ceremony, the couple should provide additional kippot (yarmulkes), especially if they are expecting any non-Jewish male guests who would not be bringing their own. In some non-Orthodox communities, women also wear kippot (kippah is the singular), but Reform communities may frown on the use of these at all. The skullcap is traditionally worn during prayer and should be worn out of respect, regardless of religious affiliation, if the bride and groom request it.
The Wine Glasses
Breaking the wine glass is symbolic gesture with many possible interpretations.
The rabbi raises a wine glass while the couple recites the Sheva Berakhot. At the post-ceremony celebration, two wine glasses are raised, one for grace and one for a second recitation of the seven blessings. The wine from both cups is then mixed together in a third cup from which the couple drinks. Afterward, this or another glass is wrapped in a cloth and shattered under the groom's foot or under the feet of both the bride and groom.
Tags: bride groom, Jewish wedding, Sheva Berakhot, after wedding, Berakhot before, bride giveSource: www.ehow.com
