Hebrew Wedding Rings

Posted in: Hebrew rings | March 2nd 2010 | no comments

It comes a day when each person unites his destiny with his beloved half, marking the special day with a wedding. The wedding, essentially, is nothing but a blend of traditions. In time traditions suffered lots of changes, but there’s at least one nation who kept the tradition alive: Hebrew.

Hebrew weddings, being full of rituals is giving the impression these are the most deepest significations about weddings. So, i will present you a few interesting issues from Jewish weddings to understand better the traditions.

The wedding day: the most significant and happiest day, considered one “Yom Kippur” both for the bride (kallah) as for the groom (chatan); starting this day all their sins from the past are forgiven, along with the union of the two souls; same like Yom Kipur holiday, the wedded pair will fast and the groom will wear “kittel”, the traditional garment.



Kabbalat Panim. Something like bachelor party. During the week leading up it’s not allowed that the wedded pair to see each other. In this range, the bride and groom organize each a party with close friends, starting as king and queen.

Next it’s Badeken, the bride is covered with the bridal veil by the groom. Veil symbolizes the idea of modesty. After this he gets inside the bride room and he will cover her face with the veil,which symbolizes that since now on, he will be the one who dresses protects her. It’s a reminiscence of the Rebecca’s cover ritual, before the wedding with Isaac.

Chupah. The wedding ceremonial takes place under “Chupah” – a canopy, outside, as a symbol of their new home. The chupah is opened on the all sides and reminds us about Abraham and Sarah who have uncovered their tent for everyone.

Kiddushin - Blessings of Betrotha. It’s the wedding ceremony itself within which they take two cups to drink wine and both drink from only one cup, after the religious blessings. Wine symbolizes joy associated with Kiddush, the holiness pray, read by Shabbat.

Giving of the ring. The Hebrew wedding ring needs to be pure gold, without signs or ornamentation, exactly like the wedding its wanted: simple, pure, beautiful. The groom takes the wedding ring and in the presence of two chosen witnesses, declare: “I crown with you with this ring by the Law of Moses and Hebrew people”, and puts the ring on the bride's finger. The Hebrew wedding ring ritual is the most important moment of the wedding according to Jewish laws.

Ketubah - Marriage contract. According to Jewish laws, once married, the groom assumes some responsibilities which are detailed by Ketubah. After reading, the document its signed by two witnesses and it’s the basis for the legality of marriage.

The Seven Blessings – Sheva Brachot. The seven blessings are read above the second cup of wine by the rabbi and after this the wedded pair drinks from the second cup.



Breaking the Glass. One glass is placed on the floor and the groom is breaking it with his foot. This act reminds us about sadness of the Hebrew people.

Yichud. After reception of the Hebrew wedding the wedded pair is led to a private room where they’ll be alone for the first time since they’re married. These moments of isolation symbolizes the couple right to live together as a husband and wife.

Sheva Brachot

The week after the wedding, family and friends run parties in the honor of the new couple. It’s named Sheva Brachot due to the blessings spoken to each end of the festive meals.