For the Jewish people, kiddushin (Jewish word for marriage) is a blessing. The word "kiddushin" has been derived from the word, "kadosh", meaning holiness. The favorite day for the conduct of Jewish wedding ceremony is Tuesday.

In this section, we will provide you information about the Jewish matrimonial customs & traditions. We will brief you on the below mentioned traditional Jewish marriage rituals:

Pre Wedding Rituals

  • Yom Kippur Viddui confessional prayers
  • Badeken tradition

Wedding Rituals

  • Wedding ceremony
  • Reading of Ketubah
  • Sheva Berakhot ceremony

Post Wedding Rituals

  • Seudat Mitzwah Jewish wedding feast

Post-Wedding Jewish Ritual

  • Seudat Mitzwah Jewish Wedding Feast

An important post wedding Jewish ritual is the reception party, in which mouthwatering Seudat Mitzwah Jewish wedding feast is served. At the time of reception, the newly wedded couple is made to sit in the center of the dancing circle. All friends and relatives get together and share joyous moments.

Pre Wedding Jewish Rituals

  • Yom Kippur Viddui Confessional Prayers

On the day of marriage, the groom and bride observe fast. If the wedding takes place in the afternoon time, the couple privately recites Yom Kippur Viddui confessional prayers. It is done before the wedding ceremony to forget the past and make a fresh beginning of married life.

Badeken Tradition
In this tradition, the bride and groom are given an opportunity to catch a glimpse of each other along with the friends and relatives of either party. It takes place before the commencement of wedding ceremony.

Jewish Wedding Rituals

Wedding Ceremony
To begin with, the Rabbi checks the huppah, which is basically a canopy under which the religious ceremonies are carried out. This is done so as to ensure that there are two Kiddush cups and wine, which will be used during the performance of ceremony. The bridesmaids, usherers, maid and matron of honor, best man and other close relatives are made to stand around the huppah.

The groom and bride walk down the passage separately. Usually, they are accompanied by their parents. The bridegroom's side is the first to enter and the bride and her parents are the last ones. Thereafter, the couple is made to stand, next to each other, under the huppah. The huppah represents the new home of the couple. Over a cup of wine, the rabbi recites the blessings and the bride and groom are asked to take a sip. After that the couple exchanges their rings.

Reading Of Ketubah
It is followed by the reading of Ketubah, the marriage contract that is written beforehand and duly signed by two witnesses. It also makes a clear mention of the dowry and the alimony amount that the wife will receive in case of divorce. The Rabbi hands over Ketubah to the bridegroom, which he further gives to his wife to keep. This completes the legal formalities of the marriage ceremony.

Sheva Berakhot Ceremony
In Sheva Berakhot ceremony, seven blessings are recited over a cup of wine.

Thereafter, the relatives come closer and bless the newly weds over a cup of wine. It is customary that an empty glass, covered with cloth, is kept under the bridegroom's feet and he is asked to break it. Through this act, the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem is recalled. Thereafter, the bridegroom kisses his beloved wife.