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Jewish Weddings

 

            
             God created the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, from one body. Men and women become complete through marriage. Judaism sees marriage as a fusion of the souls, a partnership for life.
             2.The ketubah, or marriage contract, must be signed before the wedding can begin. The rabbi explains the terms of the ketubah to the groom. The groom agrees to be bound by the terms of the ketubah by the symbolic act of holding the corner of a handkerchief which the rabbi extends to him. Then the witnesses sign the ketubah. .
             The ketubah specifies the mutual obligations of the bride and groom. At one time, this marriage contract gave the bride important legal protection. Today, the purpose of the ketubah is to remind the couple of their moral responsibilities to each other. "Be my wife in accordance with the law of Moses and Israel. I will work for you; I will honor, support and maintain you, as it becomes Jewish husbands who work for their wives, honoring and supporting them faithfully.".
             3.Before going to the chuppah, some grooms will veil the bride. This is always an exciting part of the wedding because it is traditional for the bride and groom not to have seen each other for three days prior to the wedding. After the groom covers the bride's face with the veil, she will continue to stay veiled until the seven benedictions are read under the chuppah.
             The tradition of the groom veiling the bride is called "bedeken" from the Hebrew word "bedikah" which means inspection. Here the groom checks his bride to make sure he will marry the right woman. This tradition is based on the story of Yaacov, Rachel and Leah. Yaacov worked for Lavon for seven years to earn the right to marry Lavon's daughter Rachel. When it was time for the wedding, Lavon veiled his other daughter Leah and tricked Yaacov into marrying the wrong daughter. Yaacov had to work another seven years before Lavon would agree to give him his other daughter Rachel.


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