On her
arrival, the bride is taken straight to the Bedekken room. This is
the first time that the groom sees her on the day. It is believed
that the Bedekken originates from the biblical account of Jacob being
tricked into marrying Leah, instead of her younger sister Rachel as
intended. The groom lifts the bride's veil to confirm her identity.
The Bedekken, or veiling, actually originates in Genesis when Rebecca
veiled herself prior to her marriage to Isaac as a sign of modesty
and is symbolic of the marriage not being entered into for physical
attraction alone.
This custom was
instituted by the rabbis nearly two thousand years ago as a symbol
of mourning for the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish temples.
It is also a reminder of the fact that, although we may be happy,
there is still sadness and pain in the world.
This is
the wedding canopy and the word originally appears in the Bible (Joel
2:16; Psalms 19:6). The chuppah represents a Jewish home and consists
of a cloth canopy and four poles. A chuppah is open on all four sides
as was the tent of Abraham, representing hospitality to guests from
wherever they come. This "home" is also devoid of furniture
as a reminder that the basis of a Jewish home is the people within
it, not the possessions.
A religious decree
of divorce according to Jewish Law.
The marriage
contract.
Wine sipped
under the chuppah during the service.
This refers
to the gift of a ring at the wedding
ceremony or a material object at the contract signing. It means "taking
possession".
The congratulatory wish.
The Mikvah
is a ritual bath containing a specific quantity of natural water.
The Torah states that when a person becomes impure she/he must immerse
in a Mikvah to become purified. This ritual is purely spiritual and
has nothing to do with physical cleanliness. Seven days after a woman's
period has ended she must go to the Mikvah before restarting marital
relations. Before her wedding a bride should go to the Mikvah. Should
she be menstruating the day before or even the on the day of her this
will not prevent it from going ahead.
A group
of at least ten men forming a congregation.
The seven marriage blessings, first recited under the Chuppah.
A skull
cap.
Two hundred
zuz was the minimum amount originally stipulated in the Talmud that
is payable to a bride on marriage by her groom. It is difficult to
give any precise equivalent in modern currency.
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