Inspiration in Motion: Traditional Jewish Wedding

22 January 2010

Traditional Jewish Wedding

Below are two traditional Jewish wedding films that we filmed and edited. There are so many different traditions in a Jewish wedding that really make for an exciting film. For example, there's the:

Ketubah- A document the bride, groom, and their families sign which display the responsibilities of the groom to the bride. It is traditionally read out under the chupah (canopy the couple gets married under), but many times it is signed privately in a room away from the wedding madness. Many times, the document is decorated with a neat illustration that mean something to the bride or groom. For more traditional couples, however, it remains plain and in Hebrew.

Next there is something called the Bedeken, which happens after the Ketubah. The groom and his parents, as well as the rabbi approach the bride and veil her face.

Many times during this ceremony, there is joyous singing. Music is taken very seriously in orthodox Jewish weddings. The musicians are not just there for a paid gig, they play spiritually and sway to the rhythm, really becoming part of the couple's emotions.

The chupah is a canopy held up by 4 poles. In traditional Jewish faith, it represents a roof where directly above is clear skies, depicting a soaring future for the couple. The entire ceremony takes place under this chupah, including exchanging of the rings and the breaking of the glass, which can represent many symbols. One of the symbols is that the couple's old world is broken and now they're entering a new world, where they are married and have new responsibilities.

And the best part of the Jewish wedding (in my opinion), the hora! This is a family dance where everyone holds hands and spin clockwise. This depicts the two families coming together and celebrating the marriage. It is custom to play musical instruments and drink during a Jewish reception.