WEDDINGS
TRADITION! There are many traditions that are unique to a Jewish wedding.
Whether you grew up immersed in the Jewish religion
and culture or barely attended temple, you may wish to incorporate Jewish wedding traditions into your big day. Depending on your subculture (Ashkenazi or Sephardic), your l
evel of orthodoxy and whether or not you are marrying a fellow Jew, these traditions may be optional or mandatory.
26 FEBRUARY 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
SIGNING THE KETUBAH The ketubah is a symbolic Jewish marriage contract that outlines the groom’s responsibilities to his bride. It dictates the conditions he will provide in the marriage, the bride’s protections and rights, and the framework should the couple choose to divorce. The ketubah isn’t actually a religious document, but part of Jewish civil law – so there’s no mention of God blessing the union. Signing the ketubah is one of the oldest Jewish wedding traditions, dating back two thousand years. The couple, the officiants, and witnesses all sign the ketubah prior to the ceremony. BEDEKEN Bedeken means “checking,” and this practice dates back to biblical times. According to one legend, it began after Jacob was tricked by his fatherin-law Laban into marrying Leah, who was presented to him as an already-veiled bride. Only after the ceremony did he discover that she was not Rachel, his intended bride. In another story, the first time in the Torah that we learn of love between two people is when Isaac and Rebecca meet. Out of modesty and humility, Rebecca lowers her veil and Isaac is so taken by her aura and beauty that he falls to the ground. If a bride is to be veiled, at some point before the ceremony – either before for after the processional – her intended places the veil over her face. CIRCLING Among Ashkenazi Jews it is customary before entering the chuppah, for one partner to circle the other seven times, known as hakafot. This process alludes to the seven days of creation and as a reminder that marriage is itself a process of creation. Some couples choose a twist on this tradition by circling each other to demonstrate equality in their relationship. If this is the case, the bride circles the groom three times, the groom circles the bride three times, and then they circle each other once. OPENER - PHOTOGRAPHER JENN WAGNER • JENN WAGNER STUDIO • JENN-WAGNER.COM FLOWERS LARA LAKI • LAKI EVENTS AND DESIGN • LAKIEVENTSANDDESIGN.COM/
