Wish Me Mazal Tov
  • Home
  • New Baby
  • Bar/Bat Mitzvah
  • Wedding
  • Becoming a Jew
  • New Home
  • Ask the Rabbi
  • Learn More

Wedding

The Huppah

Once under the huppah the wedding ceremony is divided into two parts:  Seder Erusin (also called Kiddushin) and Nisu’in.  In antiquity these two parts of the ceremony were separated by up to a year but today are brought together separated by the reading of the ketubah.
Click here to download a pdf of the ceremony under the huppah.

Seder Erusin/Kiddushin

B’ruchim Haba’im - Welcome
The celebration under the huppah begins with words of welcome:
ברוכים הבאים בשם יהוה May those who enter be blessed in the name of ADONAI

If the ceremony is held in a synagogue, the rabbi or cantor may add:
ברכנוכם מבית יהוה
We bless you from the house of ADONAI


Wherever the ceremony is held, the welcome continues with:
May the One who is supreme in power, blessing, and glory bless this hattan (groom) and this kallah (bride.)

Blessing for Betrothal
Like all Jewish celebrations, the wedding ceremony continues with a blessing over a cup of wine: 
Praised are You, ADONAI our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine.

This is followed by Birkat Erusin - the blessing for Betrothal:
Praised are You, ADONAI our God, who rules the universe, whose mitzvotadd holiness to our lives and whose will guides us even in the most intimate of our relationships.  Praised are You, ADONAI our God, who sanctifies the people Israel with huppah, the wedding canopy, and kiddushin, the sacred wedding traditions.

Exchange of Rings
Traditionally the groom presents the bride with a ring made of a solid precious metal with no stones or breaks.  In many egalitarian weddings, both partners present one another with a ring made of a solid precious metal with no stones or breaks.

Reading of the Ketubah
At this point in the ceremony, the Ketubah is traditionally read aloud.  To learn more about the Ketubah, click below.
Picture

Seder Nisu'in

Sheva B’rachot - the Seven Marriage Blessings
The Sheva B’rachot (Seven Marriage Blessings) are said over a cup of wine.  It is a common custom for these blessing to be divided among honored guests. If multiple people say the blessings, the cup is passed to the person saying each blessing.  What follows is one translation of the sheva b’rachot:
  1. Praised are You, ADONAI our God, who rules the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
  2. Praised are You, ADONAI our God, who rules the universe, You create everything for Your Glory.
  3. Praised are You, ADONAI our God, who rules the universe, creator of humankind.
  4. Praised are You, ADONAI our God, who rules the universe, who creates human beings in your image, fashioning perpetuated life. Praised are You, ADONAI, creator of humankind.
  5. May Zion rejoice as her children are restored to her in joy. Praised are You, ADONAI, who causes Zion to rejoice her children’s return.
  6. Grant perfect joy to these loving companions, as you did Your creations in the Garden of Eden. Praised are You, ADONAI, who gives joy to the groom and bride.
  7. Praised are You, ADONAI, our God, who rules the universe, who creates joy and gladness, groom and bride, mirth, song, delight and rejoicing, love and harmony and peace and companionship. ADONAI our God, may there ever be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem voices of joy and gladness, voices of groom and bride, the jubilant voices of those joined in marriage under the bridal canopy, the voices of young people feasting and singing. Praised are You, ADONAI, who causes the groom to rejoice with his bride. 

Priestly Blessing
First offered by Aaron, the High Priest to the Children of Israel (Numbers 6:23-27), the Priestly Blessing has been offered by parents to their children on Friday evenings for generations and also has a place in many Jewish lifecycle events.  

May ADONAI bless you and guard you
May ADONAI’s face shine on you and show favor to you
May ADONAI lift up God’s face toward you and give you peace.


Breaking the Glass
Traditionally the groom breaks the glass at the end of the wedding ceremony.  In some egalitarian weddings, the bride breaks the glass.  In others, both partners break a glass.  In others still, there is one glass, which both partners try to break.
Site by www.techreb.com