Peculiarities of a traditional Jewish wedding start right from the invitation and moves on to the different facets of a wedding. Some of the important aspects of the Jewish wedding are discussed below:
The Chuppah
The Chuppah is a beautiful canopy specially erected for the wedding. The couple goes through the wedding ceremony under this canopy. The Chuppah symbolizes the new home where the newlywed will be living together. Another significance of the custom is that the canopy will represent God's guidance and protection to the newlywed couple.
This custom itself is reminiscent of the ancient custom of Jewish wedding being held outdoors (accompanied by a belief that the couple may beget a child for each star shown in the sky). Another lovely aspect of the Jewish wedding is that the brides are lead down the aisle by her parents to "give" her over to the groom waiting under the Chuppah. 4 poles support the Chuppah and those who are asked to support and hold a pole consider it a great honor.
The Seven Circles
Upon arrival at the Chuppah, the bride and her family do seven rounds of the groom. The significance of this Jewish wedding custom according to the Jewish people is that the exercise implies a seven fold marital bond between the bride, the groom and respective families. The number seven itself has a great significance according to the Jewish people. It is believed that the process of creating the earth took seven days. Again, the Jewish people believe that during the process of creation, the earth revolved seven times on its axis. Another element of this Jewish wedding custom is that marriage symbolizes the creative process and the seven rounds represent the seven rotations of the earth.
The Ketubah
This is another part of the Jewish wedding practiced by the Jewish people. The Ketubah (sometimes spelt as "Kesubah") is a contract of marriage which is read out aloud in Aramaic. The document explains the obligations of the husband towards his wife. The objective of this document according to the Jewish people is to affirm and strengthen the dignified status of the wife and confer on her numerous special privileges. The contract has special provisions with regard to an unfortunate divorce should that happen. Matters concerning the demise of the husband are also dealt with in detail.
The Jewish people have therefore added the moral and legal commitment to the marriage reinforcing the fact that it is not just a physical and emotional union.
Seven Blessings - The concluding part of Jewish Wedding
The concluding part of Jewish wedding is the seven blessings. Different Jewish people are invited to recite these blessings with a quorum of at least ten men being present. The Jewish people lay a lot of communal emphasis to these blessings. The number 7 itself is associated with several aspects of human life from pre-historic days, not just for the Jewish people or in the context of Jewish wedding, but in most religions and faiths across the world.