A Jewish wedding is a joyous simcha where the hatan and the kallah sign the ketubah, stand beneath the huppah, are blessed with the Sheva Brachot and join together for yichud. Later, guests eat a delicious challah and dance an exuberant hora.
Don't know what those words mean? Check out our glossary of terms used at Jewish weddings. Whether you're going to be a guest at a Jewish wedding or you're having one yourself, this handy little dictionary will familiarize you with the words, phrases, and customs -- both traditional and modern -- that you'll encounter. So mazel tov! Keep in mind that there are numerous ways to spell the Hebrew words that appear below.
Ashkenazic: Jews whose traditions and cultural practices originated in Central and Eastern Europe. Before dispersing throughout the world, the language of Ashkenazic Jews was Yiddish -- a combination of Hebrew and German.
Aufruf: The groom takes part in the Torah reading service on the "Shabbat" (Sabbath) before the wedding. In more modern Jewish practice, the bride is called to the Torah as well.
Badeken: Amid family and friends, the groom enters the bride's chambers before the marriage ceremony, looks at her face and lowers her veil. This symbolizes the primary importance of the betrotheds' inner qualities, in contrast to physical beauty, which is only skin-deep. The ritual also recalls the biblical story of Jacob, who intended to marry Rachel, but discovered after the wedding that he had actually married Rachel's sister Leah. This ceremony removes all doubt.
Breaking the glass: This is probably the best-known Jewish wedding tradition. After the reciting of the Seven Blessings, the groom smashes a glass with his foot. The wedding guests then joyously call out, "Mazel tov!" There are numerous interpretations for the breaking of the glass. The most commonly known is that it represents the destruction of the Holy Temple, reminding all in attendance that pure joy can only exist once the Temple is rebuilt someday. Another idea is that the fragmenting of the glass represents the end of the couple's lives alone and the beginning of their new lives together. Ancient Kabbalah texts -- the mystical Jewish teachings -- speak of the world beginning with "breaking of vessels," and that our purpose on earth is to piece everything back together. This concept is known as "tikkun olam," repair of the world. Nowadays, many couples take their broken glass and have it encased in a piece of Jewish wedding art, such as a Kiddush cup, menorah or candlesticks.
Challah: Braided egg bread, often coated with sesame or poppy seeds, eaten on Shabbat and other Jewish occasions. A blessing is recited over the challah before the meal at a Jewish wedding: "Blessed are you, our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth."
Circling: The bride circles the groom under the huppah. According to some traditions she circles him seven times, while other traditions dictate three times around. This custom is thought to represent the bride's protection of the household, the binding together of the bride and groom, the groom's new life illuminated by his bride, the creation of a new home and family, or the mystical idea that the bride is penetrating the seven shells that surround the soul of the groom. Some traditions call for the bride to circle the groom along with her mother and mother-in-law.
Conservative Judaism: A Jewish denomination which has relaxed and modernized certain laws of traditional Orthodox Judaism, but still maintains many of the practices, customs and precepts of strict Jewish observance.
Hatan: The groom.
Hora: A joyous, exuberant dance of celebration. Guests hold hands as they romp and rollick, encircling the bride and groom on the dance floor. At an Orthodox Jewish wedding, men and women dance in separate circles. From the strictest to the most liberal Jewish weddings, though, it is tradition for the bride and groom to be lifted up on chairs and danced around, each holding an end of the same handkerchief -- linking them together.
Huppah: The wedding canopy, which is supported by four poles. The poles are often free-standing, though sometimes four guests are given the honor to hold the poles and support the huppah. Sometimes the couple uses a tallit, or prayer shawl, as the huppah material, though often they opt for more exquisite and decorative fabrics.
There are no specific rules about huppah fabric, so it is up to the couple's personal taste. The Seven Blessings, ring ceremony, and breaking of the glass all occur beneath the huppah. The huppah is thought to represent the home that the bride and groom will make together, and it is open on all four sides to symbolize that their home will be a place for guests to visit. In this way, the couple will follow the example of Abraham in the Bible, whose tent was always open. Similar to the kippah worn by the groom, the huppah also reminds the couple of God watching over them.
Kabbalat Panim: The first part of a Jewish wedding, when the couple greets their guests. The literal translation of the term is "receiving the faces." The bride and groom greet the guests in separate rooms -- traditionally the couple has not seen each other for the week preceding their wedding. The bride often sits in a throne-like chair during Kabbalat Panim to represent the idea that the bride and groom are a queen and king on their wedding day.
Kallah: The bride.
Ketubah: The Jewish wedding contract, which is signed before the ceremony under the huppah. At an Orthodox Jewish wedding, the ketubah is signed by two witnesses who are not related to the bride and groom. This traditional Aramaic text was conceived about 2000 years ago, and it discusses the groom's financial obligations to his bride, as well as his obligation to provide her with conjugal rights and all her needs. The ketubah was originally written to protect a Jewish wife from financial hardship in the event of a dissolution of the marriage. The Aramaic text is often accompanied by modern English sentiments of love, companionship, and commitment. In more liberal Jewish communities, such as Reform and Reconstructionist, the ketubah text contains only these modern sentiments in English and modern Hebrew, as opposed to Aramaic. The ketubah, or portions of it, is often read during the wedding ceremony. In former years the ketubah was simply a piece of paper filled out by the rabbi. These days, a ketubah is usually a beautiful lithograph or art print that is exquisitely personalized by calligrapher. The couple then frames the ketubah and displays the work of art in their home. It is suggested by ancient Jewish sages that a husband and wife should read their ketubah together if they encounter any argument or strife.
Kiddush: The blessing over the wine, which is usually recited twice under the huppah -- once during Kiddushin and once during Nisuin. "Blessed are you our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine."
Kiddush cup: Wine cup used during the wedding ceremony. Traditionally crafted from sterling silver, this cup is often the one the couple will use for the weekly celebration of Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath.
Kiddushin: The first part of the ceremony under the huppah. It means "sanctification," and in the old days it took place as long as a year before the actual wedding. These days, it occurs alongside the wedding ceremony proper, or Nisuin. During Kiddushin, the groom and bride are ushered to the huppah, they drink the ceremonial wine, the groom places the ring on his bride's index finger, and the ketubah is read aloud. In more modern ceremonies, the bride reciprocates by placing a ring on the finger of the groom.
Kippah: The small cap, also called a yarmulka, that guests wear to cover their heads at a Jewish wedding. Kippot (plural of kippah) are worn by Orthodox Jewish men at all times, and by men (and often women) during synagogue prayer within more liberal Jewish communities. The kippah is meant to remind Jewish people of God watching over them. The groom traditionally wears a white kippah at his wedding.
Mazel tov: The Hebrew way to say "congratulations" or "good luck." After the groom breaks the glass, the guests call out, "Mazel tov!" -- which denotes the end of the solemnity and the beginning of the party.
Mikvah: A ritual bath where one purifies one's body. Traditionally, the bride and groom -- at separate locations -- immerse themselves in the mikvah before the wedding to spiritually purify themselves before beginning their new lives as one. Though most couples in liberal Jewish communities do not participate in this tradition, many betrotheds -- usually brides -- have begun to revisit and reinterpret this tradition, sometimes immersing themselves in the ocean or a lake, surrounded by friends.
Mizinke: A festive dance, usually held toward the end of the reception, which honors parents whose last child has now married. The parents are seated on chairs on the dance floor and circled by the guests, who bestow affection and flowers upon them, sometimes in the form of a crown.
Orthodox Judaism: The Jewish denomination which strictly adheres to the laws of the Torah (the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible) and the Talmud (ancient Jewish law texts). Orthodox Jewish weddings, as with most any Orthodox Jewish ceremony, is subject to detailed laws and procedures.
Rabbi: A Jewish teacher and scholar who is often the leader of a congregation. A rabbi is often the officiant at a Jewish wedding -- almost always at an Orthodox wedding -- but this is not required. Sometimes a hazzan, or cantor (who chants the prayers during Jewish services), will officiate. Essentially, a Jewish marriage is binding upon the exchange of an item of value, usually the ring, and the groom's declaration in Hebrew: "Behold you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel." Technically, the officiant is there to make sure the ceremony is conducted properly.
Nisuin: The second part of the Jewish wedding ceremony which takes place after Kiddushin. During Nisuin, the Seven Blessings are recited by appointed guests, the couple drinks a second cup of wine, and the groom breaks the glass.
Reconstructionist Judaism: One of the two prominent denominations of liberal Judaism. It was designed in order to provide a form of Judaism that could be internalized and practiced in the modern world, and its members are not required to accept absolute faith in a traditional God. Though many of the strict Jewish laws have been relaxed to make people more comfortable, Reconstructionist Jews tend to follow a more traditional practice than Reform Jews.
Reform Judaism: The largest denomination of Judaism in the United States. It is a liberal form of the religion that allows its members to decide for themselves which Jewish laws and traditions they will follow. Reform Judaism embraces gender equality in Jewish rituals, and focuses primarily on the idea of tikkun olam, or repair of the world. This often takes the form of activism in many different social and political causes.
Sephardic: Jews and Jewish culture from the Mediterranean, including Spain and Portugal, as well as the Middle East. The traditional ceremonial clothing and ritual items among Sephardic Jews tend to be more colorful and ornately designed than those of Ashkenazic Jews.
Sheva Brachot: The Seven Blessings recited at a Jewish wedding. The blessings praise God for creating the world, creating human beings in his image, bringing children into the world, making the groom and bride as happy as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and ask God to bring "the sound of joy, the sound of celebration, the voice of the groom, the voice of the bride." The final blessing is the Kiddush, the blessing over the second cup of wine. The Sheva Brachot are recited again during the grace after meals (Bircat Hamazon) at the reception. In Orthodox tradition, the wedding festivities continue for the rest of the week, as the couple is feted at the homes of family and friends. The Seven Blessings are recited again at each of these parties.
Shabbat: The Jewish Sabbath, also pronounced Shabbos, which begins at sundown on Friday night and ends on Saturday evening when you can see three stars in the sky. Traditionally, a Jewish wedding cannot take place on Shabbat or other Jewish holidays, as a marriage involves the signing of a legal contract (the ketubah), which is prohibited on these holy days. Many modern ceremonies, though, take place on Saturday evening. This way, the wedding can incorporate the ceremony of Havdallah, which honors the transition from the holy Sabbath to the rest of the week with wine, light, and spices. This combines two rituals of moving from one way of living to another.
Simcha: A joyous celebration. A Jewish wedding is considered one of the greatest simchas. It is a mitzvah, or holy obligation, to rejoice at a wedding -- and specifically to entertain the bride and groom, which is why guests at many Jewish weddings put on costumes and masks and dance for the couple. One of the Seven Blessings declares, "Kol sasson v'kol simcha." The sound of joy, the sound of celebration.
Tallit: A Jewish prayer shawl with tzitzit, or specially knotted fringes, on each of its four corners. The groom usually wears a tallit (also pronounced tallis) during the wedding ceremony. The couple sometimes chooses to use a large tallit as their wedding huppah. A tallit is worn by married men during prayer in Orthodox Jewish congregations. In more liberal Jewish communities, all men over the age of 13 wear a tallit, as do women in many progressive Jewish congregations.
Torah: The first five books of the Hebrew Bible -- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy -- also known as the Five Books of Moses. The Torah is the basis for the Jewish laws and rituals. The entire Torah is read at synagogue over the course of a year, with a specific portion designated for each week. (All Jewish congregations maintain the same schedule, culminating in the holiday of Simchat Torah, when the reading is concluded and starts over again.)
Yichud: A short period of seclusion for the bride and groom immediately following the marriage ceremony. The couple shares some time together in a room alone -- usually eating, as traditionally they have fasted on their wedding day to atone for their sins and start life anew. This part of the ceremony allows the bride and groom to acknowledge the power of their commitment to one another. In Hebrew, yichud refers to a man and woman being alone together, out of sight of others. In Orthodox tradition, yichud between an unmarried man and woman is expressly prohibited, which is why this period of seclusion is especially momentous for Jewish couples who strictly adhere to Jewish law. For more liberal Jewish couples, yichud is a symbolic and emotional consummation of the marriage. Many couples describe yichud as an oasis of calm during an often-hectic wedding day. Because of the yichud ritual, there is usually no receiving line at a Jewish wedding. After yichud, it’s time for the bride and groom to join in the joyous simcha.
Many thanks to Gallery Judaica in Los Angeles, California for the information provided. Please visit www.galleryjudaica.com for more examples.