Our ceremony will draw primarily on Jewish wedding traditions. There will be Hebrew used in the ceremony but rest assured that anything said in Hebrew will also be said in English. We have created this glossary of terms for all of our guests so that we can all be on the same page as particular events and customs take place. There won’t be a test, and we will explain everything taking place at the ceremony. It is important to note that there are many, many customs associated with marriages, but very few of them are required in order for the wedding to be valid.
Ketubah – A ketubah is a Jewish wedding contract. It is traditionally signed by two witnesses without whom it is invalid. Ours will be signed by us, two of our close friends, and the rabbi officiating the ceremony. While the traditional language lays out a groom’s obligations to his bride, we have chosen contemporary language to reflect the commitment into which we are entering. Ketubahs are often decorative and hung in the homes of the married couple. Ours has been designed by Jennifer Kaplan Designs.
Huppah – A huppah is a wedding canopy. We will stand under it with our parents and the rabbi during the ceremony. It represents the new home we are going to create together, open from the sides to our friends, family, and the community. Our huppah has been made by our friend Leora Mallach at BB Batiks.
Kippa (Hebrew) / Yamulke (Yiddish) – A kippah is a head covering worn by observant Jews. Some will wear them all the time while some may never wear them. While there is no single reason, they are worn as a reminder of god’s presence above you and as a symbol of piety. In some traditions, they’re worn during religious events. You may wear one if you’d like but we won’t be requiring it. The groomsmen and a few other VIPs will be wearing kippot made by Brenda Burt, mother of the best man and longtime family friend.
Rabbi – A rabbi at the most fundamental level is a teacher. Many are community leaders, but not all. They are trusted experts in Jewish law as well as Jewish wisdom on all aspects of life. We are fortunate to have Rabbi Daniel Brenner officiating. (Meet him on the People page.)
Motzi – This is the blessing over the bread. It is akin to grace before meals. We will say this blessing to begin dinner.
Hava Nagila – This is a traditional Jewish folk song. The title translates loosely to “Let us rejoice.” You might hear this song at the party.
Horah – The Horah is a traditional Jewish folk dance. Everyone stands in a circle with some people claiming there are specific steps. It looks a lot like other European folk dances. It is often danced to “Hava Nagila.” We promise it hasn’t changed much if the last time you danced it was at Jake’s Bar-Mitzvah.
Kallah – Hebrew for “bride.”
Hatan – Hebrew for “groom.”
Mazel Tov (Yiddish) / Mazal Tov (Hebrew) – This expression is used to convey the sentiment of “congratulations” but actually translates to “Good Luck.”
Sheva Brachot – This translates to “Seven Blessings” and they are blessings that will be said during the ceremony. They are specific to the wedding. We have chosen some modern versions.
Simcha – Simchas are joyous events. It often refers to weddings, bar/bat-mitzvahs, and the birth of a baby.
Yichud – After the ceremony, we will disappear for 10 minutes to bask in the glow of our recent marriage. This gives us a chance to catch our breath before the party. We promise we’re not avoiding you.
Mikvah – A mikvah refers to a Jewish ritual bath. It is a collection of rainwater used for various Jewish purification rituals. We will each, separately, participate in the custom of taking a dunk in the month prior to the wedding.
We invite you to learn more about Judaism and Jewish weddings at MyJewishLearning.com, a veritable rabbit hole of Jewish knowledge.