Broken glass, Mikvé, blessings under the Houppa … Jewish marriage has many symbolic rituals. What do they mean?
Jewish marriage has many rites and traditions, all the most codified! The symbolism is extremely important there, whether it is broken glass under the houppaof mikvé (A Bath to purify yourself before marriage), or Sheva Brahotthese 7 prayers who still bring together the guests the week following the wedding. What is Ketouba? Why should the future groom raised the veil of his future wife? Religious ceremony with synagogue, party and traditions … Find out how marriages are taking place in Judaism.
Before being able to marry under the houppathe future spouses must both be Jews, either from birth or following a conversion. And to get married religiously, they must have united themselves civilly upstream. At that time, traditions can start. Traditionally, the promise must take “lessons” With a married and practicing woman, to prepare for the life of a couple and the laws of family purity. A week before D -Day, future spouses no longer have the right to see each other. Even if they share the same roof, they must for the occasion live each on their side, without rubbing shoulders with only once, until they are at the synagogue to say “yes!”. The day before marriage, The bride must take a ritual bath to purify himself (the Mikvé). It is a basin exclusively filled with rainwater in which the future bride (the Kala) and the future husband (the Hatan) must immerse themselves entirely, each on their side. The day of their union, Couples are required to fast Until the religious ceremony at the synagogue, where they will taste the glass of wine (the kiddoush). While waiting for this moment, tradition has they recite prayers.
The bride is dressed in a white dress of her choice, but it is recommended, according to religious tradition, that she wears a dress with long sleeves and which is not too naked. Generally, the brides add a bolero or a veil to cover their shoulders to the synagogue, which they then remove for the dancing evening. The groom also has a symbolic clothing: it is a Prayer shawl called Talith. It is the illustration of modesty and protection and refers to the fact that physical appearance does not matter, the essential is in soul and character. It is a kind of equivalent to the bride’s veil. During the ceremony, he will also raise it and surround his promise as a sign of protection.
We celebrate Jewish marriage In a specific place: under a Houppa. It is the nuptial canopy which is in the synagogue and which represents the family home. Houppa can also be installed outside, In a garden for example. Two rows of guests face them: on the one hand men, on the other the women. It is celebrated by a rabbi which recites blessings. The future groom arrives first, followed by his family and walks to the Houppa while waiting for the arrival of the bride.
Once the young woman has joined her future husband near the Houppa, it is customary that he approaches her to lift her veil, to verify that it is indeed his wife. Indeed, this stage of religious marriage Referring to an episode of Jacob’s life. He had to work seven years with his stepfather Laban, in order to have the authorization to marry his daughter Rahel. But instead, he sent his other daughter Léa on the wedding day. He mentioned the ban on marrying his younger daughter before the elder and claimed additional years from his service. It was only the day after the marriage that Jacob realizes that the one who wanted to marry was not Rahel.
Once the face of the Kala has been discovered, The two spouses join the ‘houppa where the rabbi awaits them. They start the ceremony by sharing a wine cup, previously blessed by the rabbi. Immediately afterwards, they exchange alliances. It is first The fiancé which passes the ring to the right index of his wifeby reciting “You devoted me by this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel“. Then he puts on his own. The rings must be gold and without frills. It symbolizes a simple and beautiful couple life. The two witnesses must attend this stage. Then the rabbi reads the marriage contract (called the ketouba), that the bride and groom must sign. Then comes the reading of Seven marriage blessings (THE Sheva Brahots) in front of another wine cup.
This is the last step of the ceremony: the groom must Break a drink with his right foot. This gesture is filled with meanings, starting with the reference to a very important historical moment in the Jewish religion: The destruction of the Jerusalem temple. Besides, he recites just before Psalm 137: “If I forget you Jerusalem, let my right forget me. May my tongue stick to my palate if I do not recall your memory, if I do not raise Jerusalem above my joy“. The symbolism of broken glass is a way of Recall the fragility of relations And to emphasize the spouses that marriage will change their lives forever. That said also: Your wedding must last as long as this glass will remain brokeneither forever.
THE glass breakage noise is also linked to superstition: The stronger it is and the more it allows you to chase clever minds. Also, The more pieces of glasses there are, the more the couple intends to a happy life. The broken glass also marks the end of the religious ceremony. At that moment, the guests applaud, sing and congratulate the bride and groom. Finally, it is customary, for single people, to sit on the chair located under the Houppa, and to make a wish to hope to get married in turn.
In general, the religious ceremony takes place in the morning (often Sunday since weddings are not celebrated during the holidays or the Shabbat which takes place on Saturday). The couple then took the opportunity to take some wedding photos in the afternoon, before joining the guests in the evening to give way to the party. The caterer chosen is a kosher caterer who allows all guests to eat without restriction, especially for wine, meat, etc. There follows the festivities as a traditional wedding, with music, a cocktail, a meal served at the table, a mounted piece and sometimes even animations and shows. We often find Hassidic traditional dances (Some are sometimes separated by a Mehitza: a separation between men and women to allow the most religious who respect this ritual of non-mixedness, to be able to dance with the newlyweds. In ultra orthodox communities, all the marriage is separated between men and women, including meals at the table. The bride and groom are raised on chairs, and joy is at the rendezvous: it is one of the missions of the guests.
Following marriage, another tradition is essential: the Chiva Brahots (these 7 prayers that we recite under the Houppa) extend for 7 days after marriage. The married couple is then invited each evening to friends or family who proposes to invite them, with at least 10 men present to be able to make the traditional prayers. The wedding festivities therefore continue all week after marriage.
