Steps to a successful Jewish wedding

The Jewish wedding is a ceremony that combines both religion and tradition. There are many steps that must be carefully observed, starting with the wearing of the yarmulke. For the uninitiated, the yarmulke is a de rigueur head covering for religious ceremonies. If you are planning to celebrate a Jewish wedding in Toulon, Cap Brun, here are the steps to follow.

Step 1: The Kinyan or commitment of the groom

Although it is not actually part of the ceremony, but takes place before it, the kinyan is an obligatory step in a Jewish wedding. This is the moment when the rabbi has all the documents related to the marriage contract signed. This moment takes place in the presence of the immediate family, but also in front of the witnesses. The groom, called a hatan, should wave a handkerchief in the air while holding the ketubah (the contract) in his other hand. By this act, the groom accepts all the terms of the contract. This tradition dates back to Talmudic times and is one of the pillars of Jewish marriage. The documents are returned to the hatan under the bridal canopy. The bride does not have to sign them.

Reading the ketubah has several meanings. Firstly, it allows the groom to acknowledge his duties towards his wife (protection, satisfaction and respect). Secondly, reading the ketubah is a way of proclaiming the inalienability of the groom's personal property to the bride. Finally, the latter commits herself by reciprocity to respect her duties as a married woman towards her man. The contract must always be in Aramaic, but it is up to the rabbi to summarise it in French for the assembly.

Step 3: kiddushin or the union of the bride and groom

Once the bride and groom have arrived under the chuppah, the union ceremony begins. The rabbi quotes a phrase to bring the divine blessing on the couple, then his speech will be addressed to the engaged couple. Other blessings are pronounced: the blessing of the wine and the blessing of the wedding, also known as Birkat ha-iroussin.

The guests will also participate in the ceremony as the blessings are recited, saying "barukh shmukh", which translates as "Blessed be God and His name" followed by an Amen after each blessing. The couple will drink a cup of wine to seal their union, before the hatan places the ring on his wife's finger, repeating word for word this formula: "By this ring, you are granted to me, according to the law of Moses and Israel".

The guests shout "mekudechet!" to underline the consecration of the kala to her husband. Note that the finger of the bride that receives the ring is the right index finger.

The blessings of Jewish marriage

In order to bless the union of the bride and groom before God and man, the rabbi will recite the seven blessings of marriage or sheva berakhot. According to tradition dating back to Talmudic times, this was done one year after the Kiddushin. The preparations for this stage are carried out throughout the year until the blessings are recited with another cup of wine. The entire congregation, the bride and groom and the family, will drink it. The festivities will last for seven days and at each meal the sheva berakhot should be recited, especially those where the bride and groom are with at least ten adults.