Jewish 101: Jewish Wedding

The Jewish Wedding

A Jewish wedding is more than a celebration. It is a legally binding covenant. The process includes two main stages: kiddushin, the betrothal, and nissuin, the marriage. In ancient times, these were done separately, sometimes even months apart. Today, they are combined into a single ceremony.

The Ketubah and Preliminary Customs

The ceremony begins with a ketubah, a written marriage contract that outlines the husband's obligations to his wife. It is a legal document, traditionally written in Aramaic, and is signed and witnessed before the ceremony begins.

Other traditions before the beginning of the actual ceremony include the veiling of the bride by the groom and the bride circling the groom under the chuppah, usually seven times.

Kiddushin: The Betrothal

Kiddushin is the moment the couple becomes legally bound to one another. This is done when the groom gives the bride a ring and declares:

From that point on, they are considered husband and wife under Jewish law.

Nissuin: The Marriage

Nissuin follows immediately, and it is marked by the couple standing under the chuppah, a wedding canopy symbolizing their new shared home. Blessings are recited, including the Sheva Brachot, the seven blessings over the couple's union.

The ceremony concludes with the breaking of a glass, a custom that recalls the destruction of the temple and adds a note of solemnity to the joy. Then the newly married couple retires to a private room for a few minutes before the festivities continue with food and dance.

Why Tuesday?

Jewish weddings are traditionally held on a Tuesday. In the creation story, Tuesday is the only day where the phrase "And God saw that it was good" appears twice. This double blessing made Tuesday a favored day for marriage.

In the New Testament, we read in John chapter 2 that Yeshua attended a wedding in Cana. And guess when it was? A Tuesday. His presence at such events reflects the importance of weddings in Jewish life and law, including the detailed legal discussions about marriage and divorce found in the Gospels.

A Jewish wedding is a public, joyful event, but it is also a deeply meaningful moment of commitment, responsibility, and a shared future, all built on a foundation of covenant.