If you’re invited to the wedding of a friend who is holding a typical Jewish wedding ceremony, you’ll notice that there are some parts of the service that are quite different than Christian ceremonies.
Here’s a quick primer to help you to understand the parts of the ceremony that are rich in Jewish tradition.
Breaking of Glass
One of the most recognizable moments in a Jewish wedding ceremony comes at the end of the service when the groom breaks a glass that’s been wrapped in fabric.
This represents the destruction of the Holy Temple in Israel and when the glass is broken the wedding guests shout “Mazel Tov!” which means good luck. Mazel means luck and Tov means good.
Poles of Fabric or Flowers
The couple is married under a chuppah. This is generally made of fabric suspended on four poles or from above. Today the chuppah can be made from fabric, flowers or other materials.
In current times, the chuppah represents the new home of the bride and groom but in the ancient past it was thought to shield the couple from evil eyes.
Elaborate Unveiling
The bride is often elaborately veiled before the ceremony. This is called the badecken.
It’s said that this custom comes from a biblical story in the Old Testament where Jacob, who worked for seven years to gain permission to marry his true love, Rachel, was tricked at the altar and forced to marry Rachel’s sister, Leah, who was heavily veiled.
It wasn’t until after they were married that Jacob realized the deception.
Now, to avoid the same fate, the bride’s veil is lowered or raised before the ceremony so the groom can be assured he’s marrying the right woman.
Walking in Circles
Another part of the ceremony that is still often incorporated into the service is when the bride circles the groom three or seven times during what is called the hakafot.
One theory for this tradition is that it shows that the bride considers the groom to now be the center of her life. Another theory states that the bride is shielding her groom from evil spirits who may try to keep him from the happiness of his wedding.
So the next time you’re invited to or participate in a Jewish wedding, you can appreciate the ceremony while remembering the long history that goes into each of its aspects.
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