Pre-Chuppah Jewish Traditions

Learn about this ancient, lively and so happy Jewish "pre-chuppah" traditions.

1. Kabbalat Panim ("receiving faces"): This is a quick reception for the bride and groom, held in separate rooms. The bride sits in a chair and is greeted and wished well by her female guests. At the groom's tisch, family and friends offer toasts, sing songs and entertain the groom. At the end, the groom quite literally be sung into the bride's room by his male friends and family with music, dancing and fanfare.

2. Ketubah (Jewish marriage contract): Once the groom is sung and danced into the bride's room, the process of signing the ketubah will begin. There are many different texts available today; ours highlights our commitment to building a home based on love, Jewish tradition and mutual respect for one another. In order for it to be legally binding, it not only. Must be be signed by designated witnesses, but the bride and groom must accept the kinyan.
By literally taking hold of a certain object (in this case, the pen with which the ketubah will be signed), they symbolically agree to assuming the obligations stipulated in the ketubah.

3. Tnai'm (Breaking of a plate): This is a symbolic moment where the mothers of the bride and groom acknowledge that a "deal" has been made and that they agree to the match. Moreover, it stands for the seriousness of the commitment, showing that just like a broken plate is not repairable, so too, should this marriage be strong.

4. Badeken (veiling of the bride): After the plate is broken, the groom will then veil the bride. This custom has many different interpretations, one of which is inspired by the biblical story of Jacob, who did not see his bride's face beforehand and mistakenly married his betrothed's sister, Leah. This also recalls the moment when Rebecca sees Isaac from a distance and veils herself, a sign of exclusivity, similar to wearing a wedding ring. Mystical teachings also note that the veiling gives the bride "special eyes" with which to watch over her children, and that the act connects her to her future, so that when she walks to the chuppah, her future generations walk with her.

learn more about the Jewish Wedding Ceremony