Weddings-Jewish Wedding Rituals
I am the rose of the Sharon, the lily of the valley
Like a lily amongst the thorns so is my darling
Like an apple tree amongst the trees of the forest
So is my beloved amongst youths
I delight to sit in his shade and
his fruit is sweet to my mouth.
He brought me to the banquet room
and his banner of love was over me
Sustain me with the raisin cakes,
refresh me with apples
For I am faint with love.....
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contact a Rabbi for consultation.
Were you aware that.......
Jewish weddings are not performed on the Shabbat (Sabbath -Friday evening to Saturday evening)
Counting of the Omer & Lag B'Omer
Jewish weddings are not performed during the counting of the Omer, from the 2nd day of Pesach to Shavuot, which is considered a solemn period on the Jewish calendar, recalling the the suffering the Jewish people endured under Roman persecution. Thus, no joyous celebrations, like weddings and parties are held during the sefirat ha omer (counting) days. There is one exception, on the 33rd day of the Omer, known as
Lag B'Omer.
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Traditional Jewish Wedding Rituals
Ketubah Signing
Before the Wedding Ceremony, The Ketubah <marriage certificate> is prepared. The rabbi asks the bride-groom if he is prepared to accept the obligation and terms detailed in it. This is done in the presence of two witnesses, not related to the Bride and Groom, who will sign the Ketubah.Veiling of Bride
Before proceeding to the Canopy the Rabbi and some of the guests escort the groom to the room in which the bride is seated.
The groom lifts the brides's veil over her face and says" "Our sister, be though the mather of thousands of myriads". This is the blessing bestowed upon Rivka <Rebecca> by her family when she departed to marry Issac. She "took" her veil and covered herself as a gesture of modesty when she approaches her bridegroom.
Processional
Although the order of the processional is a matter of local procedure, the custom of escorts of the bride and groom is quite ancient.
The Talmud states that the verse "And he brought her unto the Man <Genesis 2.22> teaches that G-D acted as best Man for Adam. Since the bridal couple are compared to a King and Queen, it is fitting that they should have entourages.
Circling The Groom
At some traditional weddings, as the bride is brought to the canopy, the escorts lead her around the groom to fufill the verse "A woman shall go around a man" <Jeremiah 32.22> Seven curcuits should be made to correspond to the seven different verses in the Bible which state: "And when a man taketh a wife".
The bride then comes and stands at the grooms right as the Psalmist says " At the right hand doth the Queen stand" <Psalm 45.10> The bride again is likened to the Queen on her wedding day.
Chuppah-Marriage Canopy
The marriage ceremony proper takes place under a canopy, usually made from silk or velvet, supported by four staves. The original meaning of CHUPPAH was a room or covering as stated in Joel 2:16,
"Let the bridegroom go fourth from his chamber, and the bride out of her pavillion. <Chuppa> The Chuppa is like a house which is open on all four sides, in a sence it is like our Patriarch Abraham's tent, which according to tradition had entrances on all four sides, this wasz a reflection of Abraham's great trait of hospitality, that he would always take in guests and wayfarers.
In coming to the Chuppat Kidushim (The Sanctified Marriage Canopy), the couple begins their life in a house resembling that of Abraham. They make a statement that their home will be open to guests and hospitality.
The Chuppa also recalls the revelation on Mt. Sinai, this event is seen as a marriage between G-d and Israel and many marriage laws and customs are derived fropm the Sinai experience.
Exchanging of Rings
As a prelude to the service Psalm 118 are chanted, The essence of the ceremony is the act of espousal which is preformed by the bride groom. he places a ring, which must be his own property, on the brides forefinger of the right hand the <index> finger that points easily, so that she can display it for the witnessess to see, as legal evidence of matrimony. The ring is considered the seal of the bond that unites husband and wife.
Reading of Ketubah
The marriage certificate KETUBAH literally means "written document" and is in Aramaic. The Ketubah was formalized in Jerusalem in the first century BCE. Following the reading by the officiant, the bridegoom presents it to the bride as her property.
Sheva Brachot (Seven Benedictions)
Following this the Sheva Brachot are recited. They allude to the divine source of marriage and invoke God's blessings over the bridal couple. The first of the Sheva Brachot <seven benedictions> is the sanctification over the wine, which the bride and groom both drink after the reading.
Breaking of the Glass
At the conclusion of the ceremony the groom breaks a glass by stomping upon it with his foot. One explanation is that it is considered a warning of the bridal couple of the frailty of life.
Just as one blow can shatter a glass, so the sanctity and harmony of the home can be destroyed by a single act of intolerance, unfaithfulness, or infidelity. As it is to break a glass, so petty arguments or anger may lead to the dissolution of a marriage.
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Obtaining a Florida Marriage License
As of January 1 1999, The State of Florida requires a three day waiting period after the application of a marriage license.
You are excempt from this three day period if:
1. You reside out of state.
2. You bring a certificate of completion of a four hour pre-marital counseling class, from a designated "provider" which also reduces the fee of the license $32.00
Marriage licenses may be obtained at a County Court-House, a photo ID is required, if applicable, date that last marriage ended, as well as a certified copy of a divorce decree.
Cost of license is $88.50 and is usually valid for 30 -60 days, depending on the County.
You must have your license available for the clergy at the wedding ceremony for wedding to be valid in the State of Florida. The license is filled out by clergy and mailed back to the Court House for registration, a certified copy is sent back to the couple within 30 days after receipt.
Sharie and David signing the Ketubah prior to their marriage ceremony, with Rabbi Carter and witnesses.
The wedding ceremony with hand held Chuppa of Sharie and David Shultz
