Greentree Country Club

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Overview of Ceremony   Before the Wedding: It is traditional that the ḥatan (groom) and kallah (bride) don't see each other for the week before the wedding. So, during the first events of the wedding (the Kabbalat Panim and the Ḥatan's Tisch) the ḥatan and kallah greet guests separately.   Kabbalat Panim: Orthodox Jewish weddings begin with a reception called a Kabbalat Panim. During this reception, buffet-style food will be available and guests will be able to speak with and congratulate the kallah. For both the kallah and the ḥatan, the wedding day is like their own personal Yom Kippur (day of atonement), where they are forgiven for sins that they have committed as individuals as they are joined together in marriage. Many guests therefore choose to receive a blessing from the kallah, a tradition which developed because of her elevated spiritual status on her wedding day. All guests are welcome to join the Kabbalat Panim.   Ḥatan's Tisch: Taking place simultaneously with the Kabbalat Panim, guests enjoy food and drinks with the ḥatan. During the Ḥatan's Tisch, the Ketubah (religious marriage contract) and the Tana'im (betrothal agreement) are signed by two witnesses. The ḥatan's mother and the kallah's mother then break a plate together to symbolize the finality of the commitment that their children are making towards each other.   Bedeken: The ḥatan is danced into the Kabbalat Panim by his friends and family and veils the kallah, ensuring that the kallah is, in fact, Abby. This checking is done in recognition of the biblical story where Jacob, who was promised to marry Rachel, instead was deceived by his father-in-law, Laban, into marrying her older sister Leah. As this deception was accomplished by switching the daughters under a veil, Jewish tradition ensures that this cannot happen again. After the veil is placed, everyone moves to the Ḥuppah (wedding ceremony). Seating during this ceremony will be separated by gender, with women on one side of the aisle and men on the other; children are welcome to sit with either parent.   Ḥuppah: The kallah and ḥatan stand under a wedding canopy called the ḥuppah. The ḥuppah rests on four poles, without any walls, to symbolize the open, welcoming home they will build together. It is at this time that the main ceremony will take place.   Procession: The ḥatan, kallah, and their families walk down the aisle. In addition to standing for the entrance of the ḥatan and the kallah, it is also traditional to stand for the couple's grandparents as a sign of respect.   Hakafot: After the kallah walks down the aisle, she circles the ḥatan seven times under the ḥuppah. Mirroring the seven days of the creation of the world, the kallah's circling symbolizes the creation of the couple's new life together.   Kiddushin: The mesader kiddushin (officiant) begins the ceremony with a blessing over a cup of wine under the ḥuppah. Then the ḥatan gives the bride a ring in front of two witnesses, saying the formulaic line by this ring you are consecrated to me according to the law of Moses and Israel to signify betrothal. With this act, Kidsushin has been performed and Abby and Yoni are betrothed.   Ketubah: The Jewish marriage contract, the ketubah, is read aloud in Aramaic by the mesader kiddushin under the ḥuppah. Previously, the ketubah was signed by two witnesses during the Ḥatan's Tisch and it outlines Yoni's legal and moral obligations to Abby. The reading of the Ketubah separates the two stages of the marriage ceremony: Kiddushin and Nisuin.   Nisuin: Sheva braḥot (seven blessings) are recited over a second cup of wine by various guests under the ḥuppah. The recitation of these blessings consecrates the betrothal of the ḥatan and kallah into a marriage. Traditionally, Kidushin is the act of joining the couple's souls and Nisuin is the act of joining the couple's households. The Nisuin blessings focus on the theme of creation, as a marriage is like a miniature act of creation, wishing the couple joy and happiness in creating their new life together.   Breaking the Glass: The Ḥuppah concludes with the breaking of a glass. The glass, like the broken plate of the Tana'im, symbolizes the finality of the commitment that Abby and Yoni have made. It also carries the additional meaning that even in this moment of extreme joy, we recognize the sadness of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Im Eshkaḥeḥ (Psalm 137 verses 5 and 6) is sung before the glass is broken.   Yiḥud: After the glass is broken, the kallah and ḥatan are danced to the Yiḥud room by their friends and family. The Yiḥud room is a private space where Abby and Yoni will share their first moments as husband and wife. They are guarded by two witnesses to testify that privacy has been maintained. During this time, guests proceed to the reception hall to continue to the celebration.   Reception: Celebrate the newly married couple with dancing and dinner! Men and women will be separated by a meḥitzah (barrier) during the first set of dancing.   Bentching: At the conclusion of the wedding, Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals) is recited. Special blessings are added to the standard text of the prayer in honor of the marriage. Bentchers (booklets containing the blessing) can be found at your table. Guests are welcome to take a bentcher home as a souvenir. Thank you for celebrating with us! Definitions Ḥatan: Groom Kallah: Bride Sheva Braḥot: Seven blessings that are recited as part of the marriage ceremony Meḥitzah: Barrier that traditionally used to separate genders during religious events Birkat Hamazon: Grace after meals Bentchers: Booklets containing Birkat Hamazon and other additional prayers that are recited after meals Simḥa: Celebration Mazel Tov: Congratulations Ḥazzan: Cantor

Jewish Wedding: What To Expect

Abby & Yoni

Abby & Yoni

A&Y