Common Practices after a Jewish Wedding

Jewish law requires that the entire community bring joy and happiness to both the bride and groom which is why there are customs and traditions that are necessary to be performed and observe after the wedding ceremony. These customs go as far back as the time of the Patriarchs during which the time Torah was given by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai.

Just as there are traditional practices performed and adhered to before a Jewish wedding, there are also certain practices that are carried out by the newlyweds on their own, and also with their guests.

Seclusion (Yichud)

The performance of the yichud ceremony carries a very important significance in a Jewish wedding. Some rabbinic sources contend that the seclusion (yichud) is a necessary part of a Jewish wedding because if it is not observed, then the wedding ceremonies are not complete. During the seclusion period, for the first time, the couple are given time alone together as husband and wife. The couple’s seclusion period (yichud) is usually spent in a separate room where they break their fast and prepare for the wedding festivities and celebration.

The First Dance

When the newlywed couple enters the banquet room from their seclusion, they are greeted by guests with festive dancing and singing; however, at traditional Jewish weddings, men and women dance separately. If you get invited to a Jewish wedding, don’t worry if you don’t know the lyrics of the songs which are either in Hebrew, Aramaic, or a combination of the two languages or you don’t know the dance steps – just go along with the celebration, the important thing is to join in the festivity of entertaining the bride and groom and to add to their great pleasure by joining in. As a matter of courtesy, guests are expected to join in the festivities.

The Dinner (Se’udat Mitzvah)

The reception that follows after the seclusion period allows family, friends and guests to entertain the newlywed couple. The newlyweds are accorded the status as another first couple (Adam and Eve). During this period where dinner is served is also the chance that the new couple is served their first meal (Se’udat Mitzvah) in fulfillment of a commandment. This meal is celebrated with family and friends and has intervening episodes of dancing. After the meal, the seven blessings recited under the chuppah are repeated with special additions in honor of the bride and groom.

The Bridal Week

The full course of a Jewish wedding’s bridal celebrations lasts for an entire week! It is only after the week-long celebration that the bride’s life as a new wife to her husband would begin to quiet down to a more normal routine. During the bridal week, the newlywed couple is often invited to a different home each night.

The seven day celebration is a symbolic recollection of the same event performed after the marriage of Jacob to Leah; however, they spent their seven days in prayer, learning and studying the Torah and performing necessary mitzvahs with the intention of giving the new house in Israel a stable foundation in God’s ways of religiousness. Today’s version however consists of home visits during which time the Sheva Berachot is recited and the couple’s wedding is celebrated all over again. For the entire first year of their marriage, families, friends and members of the Jewish community accord the groom and bride a status similar to that of a king and queen.

Source: http://www.devorah.us

Niche Profit Sites by