Second Wine Blessing (Breaking of the Glass)
Sheva Brachot Dinners A traditional Jewish wedding is full of significant and meaningful traditions that symbolize to the Jewish couple the purpose of their joining together in marriage. This research will utilize Hebrew words with their English translations in parenthesis. This research will provide a detailed overview of the customs, their history and derivation and symbolic significance to the Jewish couple and their wedding day. One of the first significant choices the couple will make is to find a good shidduch (match) with a rabbi. According to Anita Diamant, author of The New Jewish Wedding, ôthe best matches are those that encourage exploration, discussion, and enough self-confidence so you can make some Jewish decisions for yourselves.ö (Diamant, 2001, p. 37)
In Judaism, the marriage ceremony is a holy institution. The Hebrew word for marriage ôkiddushinö translates to the English word, ôsatisfactionö. Much preparation surrounds the (chatunah) wedding day with the chatan (groom) and kallah (bride) being witness to not only their material and secular aspects of their future, but also by directing their attention to their religious spiritual and even moral obligations towards each other in the beauty of the relationship of husband and wife.
On the Shabbat (Sabbath) of the week preceding the kiddushin, the chatan is given the call to the Torah (aufruf). This act is symbolically meant to make an impact upon the couple regarding their duty to look to the Torah as the ultimate answer guide for their married life. It is after the chatanÆs aliyah that his congregation showers him with nuts and raisins to symbolize their wishes for the couple to have a kiddushin that is fruitful and sweet. It also symbolizes their desire for the union to be blessed with many children. A forshpiel (reception) is held in honor of the kallah by her family and friends, a similar expres...