21st Century Judaism
Weddings
Heartfelt moments in life are expressed ceremoniously
A Jewish wedding provides an opportunity to identify and express a couple’s priorities, values, and choices in life.
Marriage is a covenant, and like the biblical covenants, made in faithfulness to stand forever, the 21st-century approach to the Jewish wedding is the one of a lover’s covenant of devotion and mutual loving-kindness
Husband and wife are not only lovers but friends who share the tasks, joys, and sorrows of life.
The marriage ceremony is primarily a legal act; thus, getting married is an exceedingly simple affair of signing a marriage license in the presence of witnesses.
The clothing, the wedding canopy, the glass breaking, the liturgy, and even the rings are but customs. These customs are beautiful and loaded with symbolism.
These time-honored customs are not just rituals but vibrant expressions of love, connection, and community passed down through the ages—each with its own story, charm, and significance.
Embracing these rituals, is not just honoring the past but breathing new life into it, making it vividly relevant to the moment you are living.
“May you always be happier than you are right now!”
The Beauty of the Tradition
The Wedding Ring
The wedding ring is a permanent symbol of the couple’s love and commitment to each other.
It is circular to fit the finger but is also a symbol of infinity – as it has no beginning or end. It represents eternal love between a couple, as just like the shape, it is never-ending.
According to kabbalah and Jewish tradition, the wedding band should be pure gold and unadorned. It should not be set with a stone or contain any inscription.
In Jewish tradition, the wedding ring is placed on the index finger of the right hand during the wedding ceremony. There are several interpretations, but the most recognized explanation is that the index finger is considered the closest to your heart.
The Chuppah
The chuppah is one of the most visible symbols of the Jewish wedding ceremony. It symbolizes the home that the bride and groom will establish together
Bride and groom appearing together under a chuppah before an assembly who have come to witness the event is their public proclamation that they are now bonded together.
As a couple’s symbolic first home the chuppah is the house of promises, the home of hope.
The flimsiness of its structure reminds them that “the only thing that is real about a home is the people in it who love and choose to be together, to be a family. The only anchor that they will have will be holding on to each other’s hands.”
The power of the couple
Crushing any obstacle they may face
“Marriage is a covenant, which in Judaism is made by breaking or cutting something.”
The epilogue to the ceremony is symbolized by breaking a glass
We Will Help You Every Step Of The Way
At 21st century Judaism , we do not charge for performing the ceremony, consulting, or providing any needed assistance.