Wedding is one the most important things that happen in one’s life. It is not only a ceremony or an event of joy. It is an occasion that gives a new identity to two souls who get together. It is a new beginning in the lives of two individuals who promise to live their lives united. In every religious community, wedding is the most auspicious event with multiple phases each of which is enriched by specific ritual. The wedding rituals and traditions in each religion are distinct from the other but the purposes are same. Whether these rituals and traditions have got any divine impact or not can be said by the spiritual leaders, but they surely convey some lessons. Each and every ritual that is followed during a wedding ceremony teaches the individuals getting married a lesson in disguise. Jewish wedding is a perfect example of that. A traditional Jewish wedding is quite a lengthy event and involves a long list of rituals that are interesting as well as important, as far conveying lessons is concerned.
Jewish wedding traditions start with the fixing of the wedding date and once a date is finalized the bride and the groom are restricted from meeting each other. The religious explanation behind this is that the absence of two individuals in each other’s life enhances the desire in them to get together which is a good sign for a marital relationship. But the lesson that the tradition conveys is that: have patience, have control in yourself. Keep yourself confined within a limit.
Jewish wedding traditions instruct the two parties, the bride and the groom to visit their relatives’ house days before the wedding. They are blessed with gifts by the elders during these visits. This is a tradition that teaches the couple a lesson to show respect to their elders.
Another interest thing which is seen in a Jewish wedding is the mothers of the bride and the groom breaking a plate. This ritual comes as a sign of seriousness to the commitment of handing over one’s son and one’s daughter to each other. But in disguise it is a lesson of doing things united to break all barriers that may emerge in a relationship.
After reaching the canopy (the special tent set for wedding) escorted by friend and family members, the groom veils the face of the bride. It teaches a lesson that physical attraction is not the only reason why two individuals get together. It is a meeting of two souls and thus the look or the beauty of the bride is not at all important.
The main wedding ceremony in case of the Jews starts with signing the marriage contract, known as Ketubah. The bride and groom sign the contract in the presence of their parents and relatives and after they are declared married the priest read the contract loudly. It is indeed an auspicious moment and by reading the contract in public a message is conveyed to the wedding parties that people around you are witness that both of you have agreed to step into a marital life.
Once the couple is declared married, it is Jewish tradition of the bride and groom sharing wine from a single counter. Whatever may be the religious meaning behind this, actually it teaches a lesson to the couple for building up a mentality to share everything within themselves.
Meaningful wedding rituals of the Jews end with the groom stepping on a glass and breaking it. It is considered as a reminder of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. The spiritual explanation is the loud noise that comes out while the glass is cracked drive away evils. But the lesson that this tradition teaches is that love between a couple is very fragile and so care should be taken to keep it flowing.
Partha Goswami is well known in the dating industry. He holds master's degrees in philosophy & psychology and authored several highly successful books about Internet dating, Internet wedding & others.
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