Jewish Marriage Rituals

Experiencing a child's wedding from a parent's perspective.

A procession leads the groom and then the bride to the huppah, where the bride traditionally encircles the groom three or seven times.

The substance of nissuin, the actual marriage ceremony, are seven blessings that reflect the themes of creation, joy, and bride and groom.

Erusin, the ancient betrothal ceremony, includes two blessings and the ring ceremony, and is followed by the reading of the marriage contract.

After the wedding, bride and groom retreat to a seclusion room, rejoin their guests for a festive meal, and then celebrate with friends and family for the next seven days.

Before the wedding, bride and groom are feted, the bride is veiled, and the groom dons a shroud-like garment.

Contemporary couples are reinterpreting an old ceremony that set the financial and logistical arrangements for an upcoming marriage

The second part of the ketubah (marriage contract) details the additional gift promised by the groom, the lien on his property, and the acquisition sealing the contract.

The traditional Aramaic text of the ketubah (marriage contract) reflects the history of Jewish marriage.

The ketubah is an ancient contract delineating the obligations of the husband to his wife.