practices: the jewish marriage ceremony

Question 1

what is marriage considered as in judaism? why?

Answer 1

considered important in judaism because it is given by god and allows a couple to bond + have a family

Question 2

explain the ketubah
1. what does it mean?
2. what does the ceremony begin with?
3. what does the ketubah outline?
4. what is this considered?

Answer 2

1. it means contract
2. begins with the reading of the ketubah which is the marriage contract
3. it outlines the grooms various responsibilities such as providing his wife with food, shelter and clothing + have to be attentive to her emotional needs
4. it is a legally binding agreement

Question 3

explain the badeken
1. what does it mean?
2. what happens during the badeken ceremony?
3. what does it custom dates back?
4. explain the story
5. what does the story highlight?

Answer 3

1. it means veiling
2. it is the veiling of the bride by the groom
3. custom dates back to Rebecca, the wife of Isaac, Abraham’s son
4. she is said to have covered her face with a handkerchief when she met her groom, Isaac
5. highlights that the groom must focus on more than just the physical beauty of his bride

Question 4

explain the chuppah
1. what does it mean?
2. why?
3. what is the chuppah a symbol of?
4. what does it mean as the chuppah is open to all sides?

Answer 4

1. it means canopy
2. the wedding ceremony takes place under the chuppah
3. it is a symbol of the home that the new couple will build together
4. it is open to all sides meaning that all the family and friends are also part of the family that has been created

Question 5

explain the kiddush
1. what does it mean?
2. what are used?
3. what happens when the blessings are recited?
4. what is wine a symbol of?

Answer 5

1. blessings of betrothal
2. when two cups of wine are used - 1st cup accompanies the betrothal blessings recited by the rabbi
3. after these are recited, the couple drinks from the cup
4. wine is a symbol of joy in jewish tradition

Question 6

explain the giving of the ring
1. when is marriage considered official?
2. what is giving of the ring mean according to the jewish law?
3. at this point, what does this mean for the couple?

Answer 6

1. in jewish law, a marriage becomes official when the groom gives an object of value to the bride which is traditionally done with a ring
2. according to jewish law, this is the central moment of the wedding ceremony
3. at this point, the couple is fully married

Question 7

explain the seven blessings
1. what does it mean?
2. when is it recited over with?
3. what is it linked to?

Answer 7

1. means Sheva brachot
2. recited over the 2nd cup of wine
3. linked to the 7 days of creation in genesis

Question 8

explain the breaking the glass
1. what happens when the glass is placed on the floor
2. what does it represent?
3. what will the congregation shout?
4. what happens after?

Answer 8

1. glass is placed on the floor and the groom shatters it with his foot
2. represents the destruction of the temple in jersulem
3. the congregation shouts “mazel tov”
4. groom and bride leave the chuppah together

Question 9

explain the yichud room
1. why are they escorted to a room?
2. what do these moments symbols?
3. why will they have something to eat?

Answer 9

1. couple are escorted to a private yichud room and left alone for a time
2. these moments symbolise their new status of living together as husband and wife
3. since the couple has been fasting since the morning, at this point they will have something to eat

Question 10

what is the source of authority?

Answer 10

“a man shall therefore leave his father and mother and be united with his wife and they shall become one flesh”