An intense moment...
The moment is close - the Chasan is waiting, the Kallah is veiled, and the short torch-lit procession leads to the Chuppah. Now the most important part of the day is about to begin. Reach for your tissues - it's weeping time!
At the Chuppah, the Chosson waits as the Kallah is led around him 7 times, before taking her place by his side. The wedding ring is shown to the Rabbi and the witnesses, who confirm that it is of at least the nominal minimum value required to serve as a wedding ring. The "Meseder Kiddushin" (usually the Rabbi) recites the brochah for wine, and both Chosson and Kallah drink from the cup.
The ring is then presented to the Kallah, and he declares to her: "Behold, you are consecrated to me by this Ring, according to the laws of Moshe and Israel". This state of "Erusin" means betrothal - now she is forbidden to marry anybody else without getting a divorce, but would not be obligated to mourn, or be able to inherit, amongst other legal obligations of a wife.
The "Kiddushin", or formal marriage takes continues with the reading of the Kesubah (wedding contract). This states that the wedding took place on a certain date, in a certain place, between certain people, and states the value of her divorce settlement. The Kesubah is written in Aramaic, and reading it out at the wedding is a great honour. After being read, it is presented to the Chosson, who gives it to his Kallah (who usually passes it to somebody to look after during the wedding). She is responsible for it, since it defines and protects her legal rights.
A second cup of wine is poured, and the Mesder Kiddushin recites the first two of the Shevah Brochahs (Seven Blessings). The remaining five of the Shevah Brochahs are recited (usually by prominent people or extended family). At the end of the Shevah Brochahs, the Chosson stamps on a glass to break it, in rememberance of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. But now the solemn part of the day is over, and before the guests sit down to eat at the wedding Seudah, the Chosson and Kallah head off, accompanied by singing and dancing, to the Yichud Room (Seclusion Room).
At this point, the Chosson and Kallah are finally allowed to touch (Observant Orthodox couples do not even hold hands until married), and they are greeted by family and friends as they depart for the "Yichud Room", which is symbolically their first "home" together. They break their all-day pre-wedding fast there, and will spend some time alone together - often the first time that an Orthodox couple will have ever been alone together behind a closed door since the day they met!
The whole Kittel kaboodle
== The Ashes! == Being
led on...
I'm waiting == Here
comes the bride...
I'll drink to that!
== So will I! == Is
this ring worth a 'Perutah'???
With.. == This...
== Ring... == ...I
Thee Wed!
The Kesubah == Michael
gives the Kesubah to Tamara
And she receives it
== Goodbye, one glass!
Sheva Brochahs: Rabbi Horowitz
== Sheva Brochahs: Rabbi
Kaganoff
Sheva Brochahs: Gabi Rabi
== Sheva Brochahs: Meir
Jacobson
Sheva Brochahs: Rabbi Pavlov
== Sheva Brochahs: Rabbi
Waldman
Wow... We're married!!!
