jewish marriage music
Could you please describe a Jewish Wedding Party?
I’ve only seen a Jewish wedding party on T.V.! But it does look like alot of fun, could you plz explain to me step by step what the traditions are and the meaning behind them? For example I think its the groom that steps on a glass? What does this symbolize, and I think the bride and groom are carried while sitting on chairs? What is the traditional music that is played? It looks like a lot of fun. Maybe you could describe your marriage or your mom and dad’s. Thanks!
Judaism views marriage as the ideal human state. Both the Torah and the Talmud view a man without a wife, or a woman without a husband, as incomplete. “A man who does not marry is not a complete person.” (Lev. 34a) “Any man who has no wife lives without joy, without blessing, and without goodness.” (B. Yev. 62b)
In addition, Judaism views marriage as holy, as a sanctification of life. The word kiddushin, which means “sanctification”, is used in Jewish literature when referring to marriage. Marriage is seen as a spiritual bonding between two people and as the fulfillment of God’s commandment.
Furthermore, Judaism views marriage as purposeful. The purposes of marriage are both companionship and procreation. According to the Torah, woman was created because “It is not good for a man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) In addition, marriage enables fulfillment of the first commandment: “Be fruitful and multiply.” (Gen. 1:28)
In addition to being ideal, holy and purposeful, Judaism views marriage as a contractual agreement between two people with legal rights and obligations. The Ketubah is the marriage contract that explains the basic material, conjugal and moral responsibilities of the husband to his wife. It is signed by the groom, as well as two witnesses, and given to the bride during the wedding ceremony.
The purpose of the Ketubah is to protect the woman’s rights during the marriage and in case she is divorced or widowed. Historically, the Ketubah marked a great leap forward in the thinking about the rights of women.
It is forbidden for Jewish couples to live together without a Ketubah. If the Ketubah is lost, a new one must be written.
It has become traditional, since at least the fourteenth century, to decorate the Ketubah as artwork and hang it in the home as a keepsake.
It should be noted that Judaism’s elevation of the institution of marriage has contributed greatly to Jewish survival over the generations. Despite the dispersion of Jews throughout the world and the oppression of Jews by other nations, Jews have succeeded to preserve their religious and cultural heritage for thousands of years partly due to the sanctity of marriage and the resulting stability of the family.
Jewish Law (Halakha) does not require that a rabbi officiate at a Jewish wedding ceremony, as the marriage is seen as essentially a private contractual agreement between a man and a woman. Nevertheless, it is common for rabbis to officiate at wedding ceremonies today.
While a rabbi is not mandatory, Jewish Law does require that at least two witnesses, unrelated to the couple, attest that all the aspects of the marriage occurred.
The Sabbath prior to the wedding, it has become customary in the synagogue to call the groom up to bless the Torah during prayer services. The groom’s blessing of the Torah (aliyah) is called an Aufruf. This custom conveys the hope that Torah will be a guide for the couple in their marriage. It also provides an opportunity for the community, what generally sings “Mazal Tov” and throws candy, to express their excitement about the upcoming wedding. Certainly the Aufruf effectively makes both the community and the Torah a part of the newlyweds journey into married life.
The day of the wedding, it is customary for the bride and groom to fast. They also recite psalms and ask God for forgiveness for their transgressions. Thus the couple enters into their marriage fully cleansed.
Before the wedding ceremony itself begins, some grooms will veil the bride in a ceremony called Badeken. This tradition is based on the Biblical story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah.
Next the bride and groom are escorted to a marriage canopy called a Chuppah. It is believed that on their wedding day, the bride and groom are like a queen and king. Thus, they should be escorted and not walk alone.
The Chuppah is basically a piece of cloth held up by four poles. Some people use a tallit prayer shawl for the Chuppah cloth. The Chuppah is open on all sides, which is reminiscient of the hospitality Abraham and Sarah showed guests in their open tent.
The Chuppah is usually held outside, under the stars, just prior to sundown, as a reminder of the blessing given by God to Abraham, that his children will be as numerous “as the stars of the heavens.”
Now under the Chuppah, the bride circles the groom seven times. Two blessings are then recited over wine: the standard blessing over wine and a blessing related to God’s commandments about marriage.
Next the groom places the ring on the bride’s finger. As he puts the ring on her finger, the groom says “Be sanctified (mekudeshet) to me with this ring in accordance with the law of Moses and Israel.” The exchange of the wedding ring is the heart of the wedding ceremony, the point at which the couple is considered to be married.
Next the Ketubah is read out loud. And then the groom gives and the bride accepts the Ketubah.
It is customary to conclude the wedding ceremony with the recitation of the Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot), which acknowledge God as the creator of happiness, human beings, the bride and the groom.
After the blessings have been recited, the couple drinks wine from a glass, and then the groom breaks the glass with his right foot. The custom of breaking a glass under the Chuppah is derived from the Talmud. It is written that a rabbi broke a vase during a wedding feast in order to warn those present against excessive joy. Even during times of great joy, we should remember the tragic destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Immediately after the Chuppah, the married couple goes to a private room (Heder Yichud) to break their fast. Going to the private room is a symbolic consummation of the marriage, as if the husband is bringing the wife into his home.
It is traditional at this point to have a festive meal with music and dancing. In more orthodox Jewish weddings, men and women dance separately. There are traditional songs and dances, such as the Hora. It is also traditional to raise the bride and groom on chairs during the dancing.
It is a mitzvah to make the bride and groom happy on their wedding day. Therefore, guests tend to participate and work hard to add joy to the celebration.
After so much dancing, it is time to eat. A prayer is recited over the Challah Bread, and then the meal begins.
During the meal, often the rabbi speaks and toasts are made. Then everyone says Grace after Meals (Birkat Hamazon) together, and they include the Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot).
The whole week following the wedding, friends and family organize festive meals for the new couple. The special Grace after Meals which includes the Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot) is said during this week of festivities.
JEWISH WEDDING MUSIC
|
|
A Jewish Heritage $17.98 … |
|
|
Marriage Of Heaven & Earth $18.00 visit mostlymusic for more details… |
|
|
Wedding: Wedding, Culture, Ethnic group, Religion, Social class, Wedding reception, Wedding dress, Wedding music, Chinese marriage, Sororate marriage, Jewish wedding $99.00 Wedding, Culture, Ethnic group, Religion, Social class, Wedding reception, Wedding dress, Wedding music, Chinese marriage, Sororate marriage, Jewish wedding, Jewish views of marriage, Shalom bayit, Niddah, Interfaith marriage in Judaism, Marriage in Israel, Christian views of marriage, Arabic wedding, Bengali wedding, Gaye holud, Bengali Hindu wedding, Cantonese wedding, Indian wedding, Ma… |
|
|
The Wedding That Saved a Town (Kar-Ben Favorites) $5.79 This charmingly ghoulish folktale based on an old European Jewish cusotm of holding a wedding in a cemetery to ward off the “Evil Eye.” Klezmer musician Yiske and his band of musicians must find a groom to participate in this unconventional wedding and save the town from the plague…. |
