Yarmulke/Kippah

A kippah, or yarmulke, is a small, round, brimless cap worn by Jewish males. We will have kippot available (thanks to Grandma Fran!) at the start of the ceremony and encourage all men to wear one as a sign of respect during the ceremony.

Chuppah

A chuppah is a Jewish wedding canopy that symbolizes the home of the couple getting married. It’s open on all four sides to symbolize openness, welcome, friends, gathering, and hospitality.

Ketubah

A ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract that outlines the aspirations, vision and hopes of a couple as a ‘family mission statement.’ It’s also often a beautiful piece of art that hangs in the couple’s home as a reminder of their shared values and vision.

Brit Ahuvim

Covenant of beloveds. A Brit Ahuvim recognizes that both partners in a marriage bring assets and strengths. Like a ketubah, a Brit Ahuvim can serve as a family mission statement and a beautiful piece of art.

Circling

There are many interpretations of circling. One is that while the chuppah, with its open sides, represents the interdependence between the couple and the community, the circle marks off a sacred, private space where only the bride and groom stand.

Rings (moving from index finger to ring finger)

An ancient custom in Judaism is to place a wedding ring on the index finger of the beloved’s hand. Then the recipient moves the ring to the ‘ring finger.’ The rabbis of the Talmud (2nd-6th century) believed at the time that the index finger was closest to the heart. A more contemporary interpretation: accepting the ring and then moving it from finger to finger highlights the will and choice of the recipient.

Breaking of the Glass

A Jewish mystical creation story: The energy force that created the world sent that energy into a million sparks of holiness and light. Jewish mystics suggested that our task in life is to gather those scattered sparks of light by practicing compassion and justice. Breaking the glass embodies the metaphor and symbolism: a marriage can offer sparks of great joy.

Seven Blessings

A traditional custom of showering a married couple with blessings of love, hopes for their future, and good wishes!

Mazel Tov

In Hebrew, this means “Good luck!” It’s often shouted at the end of a wedding after a couple breaks the glass.