Jewish Wedding Traditions
Jewish wedding traditions are filled with symbolism this includes everything done a week in advance and including the actual wedding ceremony. Jewish marriages are looked upon as the circle of life and are treated as holy sacraments. The Jewish marriages and wedding traditions are the things that people always look forward to.
On the day before the wedding ceremony, the bride is veiled. The veil symbolizes modesty and the groom often veils the bride himself right before the ceremony, making sure that it is indeed his bride. This tradition began when Jacob was to wed Rachel, but instead he wed Leah because she was wearing a not see through veil over her face.
The wedding ceremony generally lasts about twenty to thirty minutes. Traditionally, the bride circles the groom before the blessings are recited over a cup of wine. Nowadays, it is also customary for the groom to circle his bride. This represents that they both have equal footing in the marriage and they are now central to each other’s lives. Next, the blessings are recited to remind the bride and groom about the sacred commandments of marriage.
The normal Jewish wedding lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Traditionally, the bride would circle the groom before 2 blessings were recited over a cup of wine. Today, however, it’s customary for the groom to also circle his bride. This symbolizes the fact that both have equal footing in the marriage and that they are central now to each others’ lives. Next, the blessings are recited and the blessings are to remind the bride and groom about the commandments of marriage and wedding rings are exchanged.
With Jewish wedding traditions, there is traditionally music and festive dancing. During the celebration and reception a common Jewish wedding tradition is the wedding dance. This is a circle dance called the Hora. Here the guests get into a circle and dance around the bride and groom. The bride and groom are lifted up in chairs to symbolize trust and raised to symbolize they are special on their wedding day.
Jewish weddings traditions are full of symbolism and are cause for happy celebration. It is thought that once married the bride and groom are complete and that man and woman belong together.
