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A
Jewish wedding is a Jewish religious ceremony
that joins two Jews in matrimony.
While wedding traditions vary, common features
of a Jewish wedding include a ketuba (marriage
contract) signed by two witnesses, a wedding canopy,
a ring owned by the groom which is presented to
the bride under the canopy, and the breaking of
a glass.
Technically, the Jewish wedding process has two
distinct stages: kiddushin (sanctification or
dedication, also called erusin (betrothal in Hebrew))
and nissuin, (marriage, also called huppa), when
the couple start their life together. The first
stage prohibits the woman to all other men and
requires a religious divorce to dissolve it, and
the final stage permits the woman to her husband.
Today, erusin/kiddushin occurs when the
woman accepts a ring or other object of value.
There are differing opinions as to which part
of the ceremony constitutes nissuin/huppah; they
include standing under the canopy - itself called
a huppah - and being alone together in a room
(yichud). While historically these two events
could take place as much as a year apart[3], they
are now commonly combined into one ceremony.
Presentation
of the ring
The groom presents the bride with a ring, traditionally
a plain wedding band, and recites the verse: Behold,
you are consecrated to me with this ring according
to the laws of Moses and Israel. The groom places
the ring on the bride’s index finger.
Traditionally,
two witnesses must see him place the ring. |