Wedding Information
May 26, 2019
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Palm Beach, Florida
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We have provided some information about the traditional Orthodox Jewish wedding customs that we will be incorporating into the special day.
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Please click here for lodging, out of towners dinner, and local activities.
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Wondering what to wear to a black tie affair in Florida in the summer? A Black tux or colorful dress is recommended.
Please click here for images of attire suggestions.
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ABOUT
Kabbalat Panim
&
Groom's Tisch
It is customary for the bride and groom not to see one another before the ceremony. Therefore, they greet guests separately. This is called the Kabbalat Panim.
The bride and groom are looked upon as a queen and king, respectively. The bride sits on a special "throne" and prays for the health and well-being of others.
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The groom is surrounded by guests who sing and toast him, during a ceremony referred as the Tisch.
ABOUT
Ketubah
The ketubah outlines the groom's various responsibilities to provide his wife with food, shelter, clothing, and attention to her emotional needs. Protecting the rights of a Jewish wife is so important that the marriage ceremony can not be officiated until the contract is signed.
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This occurs during the Kabbalat Panim and is signed by two witnesses
during the groom's Tisch.
ABOUT
Breaking
of the
Plate
There is an Askenazi tradition (Eastern European Jews) for the mother of the bride and mother of the groom break a plate together. Breaking the plate is a symbol to show the seriousness of a relationship. Just as a plate can not be put back together one broken, a broken relationships can never be fully repaired.
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This takes place during the groom's Tisch.
ABOUT
Breaking
of the
Plate
There is an Askenazi tradition (Eastern European Jews) for the mother of the bride and mother of the groom break a plate together. Breaking the plate is a symbol to show the seriousness of a relationship. Just as a plate can not be put back together one broken, a broken relationships can never be fully repaired.
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This takes place during the groom's Tisch.
ABOUT
Bedeken
The bedecken is the veiling ceremony, during which the groom places the veil over the bride's face and recited a blessing. The veil symbolizes modesty and conveys the message that the groom is marrying the bride for the beauty of her soul and character.
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The groom is led by male family members followed by the rest of the guests to the bride who sits with the women from her and the groom's immediate family.
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The bedecken is followed by the ceremony under the Chuppah.
ABOUT
Chuppah
The wedding ceremony takes place under the chuppah (canopy), a symbol of the home the couple will build together. It is open on all sides, just as Avraham and Sarah had to provide people unconditional hospitality.
Under the chuppah, 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 world together. The number seven also symbolizes wholeness and completeness that they can not achieve separately.
ABOUT
Kiddushin
Marriage, called Kiddushin, is the sanctification of a man and woman to each other.
Kiddushin shares the same root at Kiddush, which is the sanctification blessing said over the wine on Shabbat and festivals. Wine is a symbol of joy in Jewish Tradition.
Two cups of wine are used for the wedding ceremony. The first cup accompanies the betrothal blessings, recited by the Rabbi. After, the couple drinks from the cup.
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The second cup is used for the Sheva Brachot.
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ABOUT
The Ring
In Jewish law, the marriage becomes official when the groom gives an object of value to the bride, traditionally done with a ring. The ring is made of plain gold, without any blemishes or ornamentation, just as it is hoped the marriage will be of simple beauty.
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The groom takes the ring in his hand, and in clear view of two witnesses, declares to the bride, "Behold, you are betrothed unto me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel." He then places the ring on the forefinger of the bride's right hand. According to Jewish law, this is the central moment of the wedding ceremony and the point the bride and groom are fully married.
ABOUT
Reading
the
Ketubah
The Ketubah (marriage contract) is read in the original Aramaic text in front of all those present who are celebrating and witnessing the marriage.
ABOUT
Sheva
Brachot
There are seven blessings recited over the second cup of wine. The theme of these blessings link the bride and groom to our faith in G-d as a creator of the world, bestower of joy and love, and the ultimate redeemer of our people.
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At the conclusion of the seven blessings, the bride and groom drink some wine.
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During the meals for the seven days following, these blessings are repeated.
ABOUT
Breaking
the
Glass
Towards the end of the ceremony, a glass is placed placed on the floor, and the groom shatters it with his foot. The broken glass is an expression of sadness at the destruction of the Temple ​in Jerusalem. It also identifies the couple with the spiritual and national destiny of the Jewish people.