Joni's and Daniel's Wedding Web Page: Jewish Wedding Terms

Because many of our friends (both Jewish and non-Jewish) are not familiar with terms associated with a Jewish Wedding, we have created this short list of Jewish Wedding Terms. Move your mouse over the Hebrew words to see a transliteration.

From Song of Songs Chapter 2,16 It literately means "I am my Beloved's"

"And My Beloved's is mine." With the utterance of this phrase, the bride accepts her betrothal to the groom.

"With this ring, you are consecrated to me (as my wife) in accordance with the laws of Moses and Israel." With the utterance of this phrase, the groom accepts his bride and reaffirms his obligations to her under Jewish Law.

In a Jewish wedding the parents escort their children to chupah.

Betrothal: Under Jewish law, prior to the Nissuin (nuptials), the bride and groom would be joined in a betrothal ceremony. They would be husband and wife, but NOT allowed to engage in marital relationships. A year later the couple would partake in a Kiddushim ceremony and enjoy a full relationship. In the modern ceremony the Kiddushim immediately follows the Eirusim.

Prior to the wedding ceremony, the groom is taken to the bride and places the veil over the head of the bride. Tradition says this is to assure that the groom is getting the correct bride and not being tricked, like Laben did to Jakob.

A Blessing. A traditional wedding ceremony will have many blessings or B'rachot: The Birkat Eirusim, the B'rachot l'Nissuin, the Shevah B'rachot, the Birkot Kiddushim, and the Birkot Kohanim.

Grace after the meal. For Jews it is not only traditional to say blessing before one eats, but also afterwards. Before one eats one is hungry and gives thanks just for the opportunity to eat. But by saying blessings after one eats it shows that one is thankful even when one is content.

Friends: A wedding is not a wedding unless there are friends present to rejoice with the Bride and Groom. We choose four special friends of our to hold the chupah and hundreds others to join us at the reception.

The Chupah is the wedding canopy. With the four pillars holding up the chupah symbolizes the wedding chamber. Some say the chupah represents the first home of the new couple. The sides are open to welcome visitors, just as Abraham welcomed the 3 strangers.

The Chatan is Hebrew for Groom.

Chatanah means marriage or wedding.

Literally means seclusion. Following the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom spend ten or fifteen minute period alone with each other.

At our wedding, a couple of people asked what the message printed on the inside of the Kipah was? Very simple. It is the date by the Hebrew calendar that we got married: the 29th day of the month of Sivan in the year 5759. It corresponds to June 13, 1999 C.E. in the modern calendar.

Kallah is Hebrew for bride.

Skullcap required to be worn by all adult males. Adult females and children under 13 years old are encouraged to where them.

The wedding contract which spell out the responsibility of the couple in the marriage.

The Misader Kidushin is the officiator of the wedding service. Under Jewish law it is not necessary to have a Rabbi perform the ceremony, but we are lucky to have Rabbi David Lieb to officiate.

Family

And after the wedding, a person's family (Michpachah) grows to include the M'chutanim, the "In-Laws" and others related by marriage.

Blessing over bread which begins every meal.

Mitzvah has often been translated as commandment, holy obligation or good deed. For our purpose it is important to point out that it is a mitzvah to get married.

Nuptials: After the Betrothal ceremony (Eirusim), the couple are legal married but NOT allowed to engage in marital relationships. The couple have to complete the Kiddushim to make the marriage holy before. Rabbi Maurice Lamm said that Nussuin can also mean "elevation," connecting a husband and wife with G-d.

Grandparents

The meal of rejoicing.

Witnesses: A marriage can be valid without a rabbi, but not without the witnesses. Although a room full of family and friends might see a wedding ceremony take place, only the designated witnesses have power to validate the ceremony. Because of their vital role, there are strict and specific laws about who may be a witness.

Traditionally the Sabbath before the wedding the couple are called up to the Torah.

Literally, to greet faces. Prior to the wedding, the bride and groom, in separate rooms, meet friends and family.

Holy Matrimony: A Jewish marriage is more than a contract, a pledge, an agreement, a joining of asset. It is a holy union between the bride, the groom, and G-d.

The Acquisition: Prior to the ceremony, the groom will make a kinyan, the ritual act of acquisition. The father of the bride will bring to the groom a gift, traditionally the bride's handkerchief. By accepting it, the groom indicates that he is willing to assume the obligations stipulated in the K'tubah.

Seven marriage blessings. The Sheva B'rachot are first recited under the chupah, and then for the following seven days. The Sheva B'rachot comprise most of the marriage liturgy. Traditionally the Bride and Groom spend their first week together surrounded by their friends and family who entertain, feed, and house them.

Joy as well as the celebration of a joyous event. The purpose of a Jewish wedding is to increase the joy of the bride and groom.

Groomsmen

Bridesmaids

Prayer

	*From Song of Songs Chapter 2,16 It literately means "I am my Beloved's"*
	*"And My Beloved's is mine." With the utterance of this phrase, the bride accepts her betrothal to the groom.*

	"With this ring, you are consecrated to me (as my wife) in accordance with the laws of Moses and Israel." With the utterance of this phrase, the groom accepts his bride and reaffirms his obligations to her under Jewish Law.
	*In a Jewish wedding the parents* escort their children to chupah.**
	Betrothal: Under Jewish law, prior to the Nissuin (nuptials), the bride and groom would be joined in a betrothal ceremony. They would be husband and wife, but NOT allowed to engage in marital relationships. A year later the couple would partake in a Kiddushim ceremony and enjoy a full relationship. In the modern ceremony the Kiddushim immediately follows the Eirusim.
	Prior to the wedding ceremony, the groom is taken to the bride and places the veil over the head of the bride. Tradition says this is to assure that the groom is getting the correct bride and not being tricked, like Laben did to Jakob.
	A Blessing. A traditional wedding ceremony will have many blessings or B'rachot: The Birkat Eirusim, the B'rachot l'Nissuin, the Shevah B'rachot, the Birkot Kiddushim, and the Birkot Kohanim.
	Grace after the meal. For Jews it is not only traditional to say blessing before one eats, but also afterwards. Before one eats one is hungry and gives thanks just for the opportunity to eat. But by saying blessings after one eats it shows that one is thankful even when one is content.
	Friends: A wedding is not a wedding unless there are friends present to rejoice with the Bride and Groom. We choose four special friends of our to hold the chupah and hundreds others to join us at the reception.
	The Chupah is the wedding canopy. With the four pillars holding up the chupah symbolizes the wedding chamber. Some say the chupah represents the first home of the new couple. The sides are open to welcome visitors, just as Abraham welcomed the 3 strangers.
	The Chatan is Hebrew for Groom.
	Chatanah means marriage or wedding.
	Literally means seclusion. Following the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom spend ten or fifteen minute period alone with each other.
	At our wedding, a couple of people asked what the message printed on the inside of the Kipah was? Very simple. It is the date by the Hebrew calendar that we got married: the 29th day of the month of Sivan in the year 5759. It corresponds to June 13, 1999 C.E. in the modern calendar.
	Kallah is Hebrew for bride.
	Skullcap required to be worn by all adult males. Adult females and children under 13 years old are encouraged to where them.
	The wedding contract which spell out the responsibility of the couple in the marriage.
	The Misader Kidushin is the officiator of the wedding service. Under Jewish law it is not necessary to have a Rabbi perform the ceremony, but we are lucky to have Rabbi David Lieb to officiate.
	Family
	And after the wedding, a person's family (Michpachah) grows to include the M'chutanim, the "In-Laws" and others related by marriage.
	Blessing over bread which begins every meal.
	Mitzvah has often been translated as commandment, holy obligation or good deed. For our purpose it is important to point out that it is a mitzvah to get married.
	Nuptials: After the Betrothal ceremony (Eirusim), the couple are legal married but NOT allowed to engage in marital relationships. The couple have to complete the Kiddushim to make the marriage holy before. Rabbi Maurice Lamm said that Nussuin can also mean "elevation," connecting a husband and wife with G-d.
	Grandparents
	The meal of rejoicing.
	Witnesses: A marriage can be valid without a rabbi, but not without the witnesses. Although a room full of family and friends might see a wedding ceremony take place, only the designated witnesses have power to validate the ceremony. Because of their vital role, there are strict and specific laws about who may be a witness.
	Traditionally the Sabbath before the wedding the couple are called up to the Torah.
	Literally, to greet faces. Prior to the wedding, the bride and groom, in separate rooms, meet friends and family.
	Holy Matrimony: A Jewish marriage is more than a contract, a pledge, an agreement, a joining of asset. It is a holy union between the bride, the groom, and G-d.
	The Acquisition: Prior to the ceremony, the groom will make a kinyan, the ritual act of acquisition. The father of the bride will bring to the groom a gift, traditionally the bride's handkerchief. By accepting it, the groom indicates that he is willing to assume the obligations stipulated in the K'tubah.
	Seven marriage blessings. The Sheva B'rachot are first recited under the chupah, and then for the following seven days. The Sheva B'rachot comprise most of the marriage liturgy. Traditionally the Bride and Groom spend their first week together surrounded by their friends and family who entertain, feed, and house them.
	Joy as well as the celebration of a joyous event. The purpose of a Jewish wedding is to increase the joy of the bride and groom.
	Groomsmen
	Bridesmaids
	Prayer