|
National Association of Wedding Ministers Spiritual Ceremony - Jewish The Prelude The Procession The Welcome: Today we bless this union under a wedding canopy, called a chuppah in the Jewish tradition. The canopy represents shelter, sanctity, and peace. The four poles correspond to the four directions-north, south, east, and west-as the couple’s love reaches to the four corners of the earth. The sides are open, for the couple’s home and arms will remain open to their family and friends. ‘The chuppah’, is the house of promises. It is the home of hope. We will now hear a poem about the chuppah. The Chuppah
Poem: “The
chuppah stands on four poles. The home has its four corners.
This is the beauty and power of marriage, and it may be difficult
from time to time, but it is upon the strength of the foundation of
this nuclear family that you shall build the temple of the rest of
your life. Its beauty, its significance, is completely up to you. You
are the architects of your marriage. Let it be magnificent to behold!
Let all who come into your home benefit from the warmth of this radiance.
Let it stand as a beacon of light inspiring others to love. When times get
tough, when things get very frightening, think of the sky at the
ocean’s shore. Storms at sea are frightening,
and yet, when is the sky at its most beautiful? It is usually right
after
a difficult storm, for that is when the sky is clearest and so full
of hope. That is when the rainbows appear. Handfasting: (You should use a cloth that has special meaning to the two of you and have it wit you that day) “Since it is your intention to bind your hearts I now ask you to hold hands as we bind them to symbolize your oneness. As you hold the hands of your beloved, listen to what I am about to say; Above you are the stars, below you is the earth, as time does pass, remember: Like the earth should your love be firm, grounded in your humanity. Like a star should your love be constant, imbued with light. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage. Let the strength of your wills bind you together. Let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable.” The Honoring of Family: “This is the portion of the ceremony we dedicate to family, for as Alice Walker states, ‘To acknowledge our ancestors means we are aware that we did not make ourselves, that the line stretches all the way back, to the Creator. The grace with which we embrace life, in spite of the pain, the sorrows, is always a measure of what has gone before. ’‘What we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.’ (Albert Pine). ______ and ______’s parents, you have given your children immortal gifts. The light of this marriage would not, could not be possible without you. You have brought forth life. You have brought forth love. It is most appropriate on this, your children’s wedding day, that we thank you and ask God to bless you always. We also desire to remember and thank those who could not be with us do to illness and difficulty of travel: ________ (paternal grandmother) and _______ (maternal grandmother). We honor those whom we miss very much and whom we know would not have missed this event. While they are physically not here both ______ and ______ know that their spirit of love resides in their hearts and will for all time. We honor their memory: _______ (paternal grandfather); ________ (groom’s father); _______and ______ (maternal grandparents). The Vows and The Giving of Rings: Bride: “______, with this ring, I give you my promise that from this day forward you shall not walk alone. May your heart be your shelter; And my arms be your home. May we walk together through all things. May you feel deeply love, for indeed you are. I feel so honored to call you my wife. I feel so fortunate to call you mine. I will be truthful and honor you, stand by you in times of sorrow and joy. I promise you all this for all the days of my life.” The Signing of the Ketubah: “______ and _______, the covenant of marriage is one that can be entered into only by persons who are both legally and spiritually free to offer themselves to each other. Therefore, in the presence of all that is holy and in the presence of all the witnesses, I will ask ______ and ______ to state their intention. ______ and ______, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in the holy state of matrimony? (you answer ‘yes’) At this time will you each read a promise you have written in the marriage contract, called the Ketubah.” The Declaration
of Marriage: “______ and ______,
by the great love that has brought you here today, by the vows you
have exchanged
and the rituals that are symbolic of your integrity to your commitment,
in the presence and mystery of the sacred, in the company of family
and friends, it is my honor, and absolute delight that I now pronounce
you husband and wife. The Closing Blessing and Breaking of the Glass: “The traditional breaking of the glass is a joyous ritual. It indicates that marriage is a transforming and irrevocable experience, one that leaves the couple forever changed. Marriage is sacred and can be fragile, treat each other with respect and love, vowing never to break the vows you have made here today, in the presence of God and your family and friends, break now this glass as a symbol of your convictions to withstand all that life has to offer (break the glass and we shout) Mazel Tov!” The Presentation of the Couple: “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and privilege to present to you Mr. and Mrs. ______ ______.” The Recessional |