A Jewish marriage ceremony is based on the rules for transfer of property or of rights in antiquity. In
marriage, the woman accepts a ring (or something of value) from the man, accepting the terms of the
marriage. This is called betrothal, or kiddushin or erusin. A ketubah ("marriage contract") is read publicly.
Witnesses are required for both the signing of the ketubah and the ceremonies.
At the giving of the ring the groom (chatan) makes a declaration "You are consecrated to me, through this
ring, according to the religion of Moses and Israel."
Traditionally there is no verbal response on the part of the bride. She accepts the ring on her right index
finger, and closes her hand, signifying acceptance.
Often, the two witnesses who sign the ketubah say aloud "Mekudeshet".[citation needed]
Finally the couple are joined in matrimony under the chuppah, in the ceremony of nissuin, symbolizing their
setting up house together. Very often the huppah is made of an outstretched tallit (Jewish prayer shawl), but
it can be any sort of canopy.
The ceremony reaches its climax with both the bride and groom drinking wine. The groom then steps on a
glass to break it. The origin of this custom is shrouded in mystery, and various understandings of this
custom exist:
* The source seems to be from the Babylonian Talmud, tractate Berakhot 31a; it has a story about the
wedding of Rav Ashi's son. When the celebrants began to get carried away, Rav Ashi brought out and broke
a crystal glass in front of them. The interpretation by the Tosafot (early medieval Talmudic commentators) is
that even during moments of great celebration, one must maintain proper decorum. It may be related to the
belief that it is best to temper one's joy, in order to avert inviting bad fortune.
* The breaking of the glass represents the Jewish community's continuing sorrow of the destruction of the
Temple in Jerusalem; no celebration is totally complete without the Temple. Along with that belief, some
Jews believe that the broken pieces of the glass tell you how long the bride and groom's marriage will last.
* Among Kabbalists (adherents of Jewish mysticism), this custom is said to be a reminder of the broken
fragments of Creation, and our need to engage in Tikkun Olam, the repairing of the world on a spiritual level.
Jewish wedding gifts
marriage, the woman accepts a ring (or something of value) from the man, accepting the terms of the
marriage. This is called betrothal, or kiddushin or erusin. A ketubah ("marriage contract") is read publicly.
Witnesses are required for both the signing of the ketubah and the ceremonies.
At the giving of the ring the groom (chatan) makes a declaration "You are consecrated to me, through this
ring, according to the religion of Moses and Israel."
Traditionally there is no verbal response on the part of the bride. She accepts the ring on her right index
finger, and closes her hand, signifying acceptance.
Often, the two witnesses who sign the ketubah say aloud "Mekudeshet".[citation needed]
Finally the couple are joined in matrimony under the chuppah, in the ceremony of nissuin, symbolizing their
setting up house together. Very often the huppah is made of an outstretched tallit (Jewish prayer shawl), but
it can be any sort of canopy.
The ceremony reaches its climax with both the bride and groom drinking wine. The groom then steps on a
glass to break it. The origin of this custom is shrouded in mystery, and various understandings of this
custom exist:
* The source seems to be from the Babylonian Talmud, tractate Berakhot 31a; it has a story about the
wedding of Rav Ashi's son. When the celebrants began to get carried away, Rav Ashi brought out and broke
a crystal glass in front of them. The interpretation by the Tosafot (early medieval Talmudic commentators) is
that even during moments of great celebration, one must maintain proper decorum. It may be related to the
belief that it is best to temper one's joy, in order to avert inviting bad fortune.
* The breaking of the glass represents the Jewish community's continuing sorrow of the destruction of the
Temple in Jerusalem; no celebration is totally complete without the Temple. Along with that belief, some
Jews believe that the broken pieces of the glass tell you how long the bride and groom's marriage will last.
* Among Kabbalists (adherents of Jewish mysticism), this custom is said to be a reminder of the broken
fragments of Creation, and our need to engage in Tikkun Olam, the repairing of the world on a spiritual level.
Jewish wedding gifts
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