GLOSSARY OF TERMS
(There are numerous ways to spell Hebrew words)

Bedeken: the veiling of the bride by the groom before the wedding ceremony

Challah: a braided white bread made especially for the Sabbath and holidays

Chupah: the wedding canopy

Ketubah: the marriage contract

Kiddush: the blessing over the wine, which is usually recited twice under the
huppah – once during Kiddushin and once during Nisuin.  "Blessed are you our
God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine."

Kiddush cup:  Wine cup used during the wedding ceremony. Traditionally
crafted from sterling silver, this cup is often the one the couple will use for the
weekly celebration of Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath.

Kinyan: refers to the gift of a ring at the ceremony or a material object at the
contract signing

Kippah: The small cap, also called a yarmulka, that guests wear to cover their
heads at a Jewish wedding.  Kippot (plural of kippah) are worn by Orthodox
Jewish men at all times, and by men (and often women) during synagogue
prayer within more liberal Jewish communities.  The kippah is meant to remind
Jewish people of God watching over them.  The groom traditionally wears a
white kippah at his wedding.

L’Chaim: "To Life!" – the traditional toast before drinking liquor or wine

Mazel tov: congratulatory wish, literally "good luck"

Shabbat: The Jewish Sabbath, also pronounced Shabbos, which begins at
sundown on Friday night and ends on Saturday evening when you can see
three stars in the sky.

Sheva berakhot: the seven marriage blessings, first recited under the huppah.

Siman tov: a good omen, congratulations or good wishes

Simcha: a celebration and the joy of a celebration

Torah: the first five books of the Hebrew Bible

Yarmulke: skullcap (See Kippah)

A Jewish Wedding Guide

Since some of our guests may not be familiar with Jewish wedding traditions, we
have put together this Jewish Wedding Guide.
KETUBAH (MARRIAGE CONTRACT)

The reading of the Ketubah (marriage contract) is in
the original Aramaic text.  In marriage, the groom
accepts upon himself certain marital responsibilities
which are detailed in the Ketubah.  His principal
obligations are to provide food, shelter and clothing
for his wife, and to be attentive to her emotional
needs.  The protection of the rights of a Jewish wife
is so important that the marriage may not be
solemnized until the contract has been completed.

The reading of the Ketubah acts as a break between
the first part of the ceremony –  Kiddushin
(betrothal), and the latter part – Nissuin (marriage).
BADEKEN (B’DEKEN)
Think:  “Just checkin’, badeken!”

After the Ketuba is signed, the Rabbi and the two fathers lead a procession of the
bridegroom and male guests into the bride's chamber for the badeken (veiling)
ceremony.

This custom comes from the biblical story of Jacob, who worked for seven years to
marry Rachel, only to discover her father had substituted the older, blind Leah, under
heavy veiling.

The veil symbolizes the idea of modesty and conveys the lesson that however
attractive physical appearances may be, the soul and character are paramount.  This
custom serves as the first of many actions by which the groom signals his
commitment to clothe and protect his wife.
CHUPAH

The wedding ceremony takes place under
the chupah (canopy), a symbol of the home
to be built and shared by the couple. It is
open on all sides, just as Abraham and Sarah
had their tent open all sides to welcome
friends and relatives in unconditional
hospitality.

The groom and then the bride are usually
escorted to the chupah by their respective
sets of parents. Under the chupah, the bride
circles the groom seven times. Just as the
world was created in seven days, the bride is
figuratively building the walls of the couple's
new home. The number seven also
symbolizes the wholeness and completeness
that they cannot attain separately.

It’s becoming more commonplace for the
couple to do 3 circles each and then one
together.
Chupah - canopy
BLESSINGS OF BETROTHAL
(KIDDUSHIN)

Two cups of wine are used in the
wedding ceremony. The first cup
accompanies the betrothal blessing, and
after these are recited, the couple drinks
from the cup.

Wine, a symbol of joy in Jewish tradition,
is associated with the Kiddush, the
sanctification prayer recited on Shabbat
and festivals. Marriage, which is called
Kiddushin, is the sanctification of a man
and woman to each other.

THE SEVEN BLESSINGS
The Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot) are
now recited over the second cup of
wine. The theme of these blessings links
the groom and bride to the Jewish faith.
These blessings are recited by the rabbi
or other people that the families wish to
honor.

SHEVA BERACHOS - The Seven Blessings
Ketubah - marriage contract
BLESSINGS OF BETROTHAL
(KIDDUSHIN)
GIVING OF THE RING

The ring used in the ceremony should be
made of plain gold, without blemishes or
ornamentation (i.e. stones) – just as it is
hoped that the marriage will be one of
simple beauty.

The groom now takes the wedding ring
in his hand, and in clear view of two
witnesses (non-relatives), he declares to
his wife, “Behold, you are betrothed unto
me with this ring according to the laws of
Moses and Israel.”  He then places the
ring on the forefinger of his bride's right
hand.

According to Jewish law, this is the
central moment of the wedding
ceremony, and the couple is now fully
married at this point.
BREAKING THE GLASS

Few Jewish wedding traditions are as well
known as the groom's smashing of the
glass at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Different explanations for the act of
breaking the glass abound: that it reminds
us of the fragility of personal relationships
so that the bride and groom take care to
keep theirs intact; that it ushers in the
outbreak of celebration that should
immediately follow; that the breaking
recalls the destruction of the temple in
Jerusalem, so that we remember sadness
at the height of personal joy. Two older
explanations are that the shattering scares
off any demons attracted by the event; or
that it symbolizes the consummation of the
marriage. Others explain that this is the last
time the groom gets to put his foot down!

(Sometimes in place of a glass a light bulb
wrapped in a cloth or napkin is used.)
THE WEDDING RECEPTION

The meal is begun with a blessing over a
wedding challah (a large braided loaf of
egg-rich bread). The bridal couple may then
bring a piece of challah to each table.


Let the party begin! It is a mitzvah (good
deed) to make the bride and groom happy
on their wedding day. Therefore, guests
tend to participate and really try to add
something to the joyfulness of the
occasion. There are traditional songs and
dances.
  1. The first blessing is recited over the
    second cup of wine as a sign of
    rejoicing.
  2. The second thanks G-d for creating
    the world and at the same time it
    honors those assembled at the
    wedding.
  3. The third acknowledges G-d's physical
    and spiritual creation of mankind.
  4. The fourth is number three repeated.
  5. In the fifth, we pray for the
    restoration of Jerusalem and the
    rebuilding of the Holy Temple, the
    edifice which so expressed G-d's
    special relationship to the Jewish
    people that the memory of its
    destruction rises above even our
    highest joys.
  6. The sixth expresses the hope that the
    bride and groom grow in their love for
    each other, focusing their love as
    exclusively as Adam and Eve, when
    there was no one else in the world.
  7. In the seventh blessing, we pray for
    the time when the Messiah will come to
    redeem us from exile so that peace
    and tranquility will reign over the world.
At the conclusion of the seven blessings, the
groom and bride again drink some of the
wine.
Breaking The Glass!
THE HORA

The Hora, or traditional dance of
celebration is done. The dance
most widely known is when the
bride and groom are lifted in chairs
on the shoulders of their guests.
There is no planned time for this to
happen, just "when the spirit hits".
Sometimes the couple will be
whirled around each other, holding
the ends of a handkerchief or they
may be paraded around the room.
The parents of the couple are
sometimes also lofted in chairs.
The Hora - traditional dance
HOW TO DO THE HORA

Instructions:

• STEP 1: Stand in a circle holding the hands of the people on either side of you.
• STEP 2: When the music starts, follow the circle as it rotates.
• STEP 3: Step to the side, passing your left foot behind your right.
• STEP 4: Move the right foot beside the left foot.
• STEP 5: Step to the side again, passing your left foot in front of your right this
time.
• STEP 6: Continue as the circle keeps spinning, adding a little hop to your steps
as you go faster.
• STEP 7: Move toward the center of the circle and throw your hands, still holding
those of the people beside you, in the air.
• STEP 8: Lower your hands and move backward.
• STEP 9: Repeat several times.
• STEP 10: Resume spinning around the circle.

Tips & Warnings

• This is not hard, just follow along.• When the chair lifting happens, if unsure
what to do, or not STRONG, let someone else do it!  We don't need anyone
dropped!

If you're strong, step up, we need you!
Here are some sites that you can check out for more info:

Jewish Lore & Traditions: http://www.WeddingDetails.com
Jewish Wedding Tradition: http://www.WorldWeddingTraditions.com
Jewish Weddings, Music & Dance: http://www.About.com
Guide to the Jewish Wedding: http://www.Aish.com
Lauren & Mike's Wedding
June 24th, 2007