The Jewish Wedding Readings and What They are all About
Whether youโre planning an Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, or arranging an interfaith Jewish wedding, the wedding ceremony is likely to include several Jewish wedding readings deeply tied to tradition.
Some of the Differences in Jewish Wedding Readings
An Orthodox Jewish wedding naturally follows a more strict observance, following halacha (Jewish law) to the letter. A Conservative Jewish wedding will adhere to most of the same halacha with a few tweaks here and there. The Jewish wedding readings found in these ceremonies will include the betrothal blessings, recited by the Rabbi under the chuppah. This is followed by the Jewish wedding reading of the ketubah in its original Aramaic aloud to the guests. The next Jewish wedding reading involves the Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings) which can be read by the Rabbi, the Chazan (cantor), or guests the bride and groom wish to honor.
The more liberal Jewish movements, such as Reform and Reconstructions often include supplemental Jewish wedding readings as well as modified versions of the traditional ones. If the couple is not affiliated with any particular observance, rather more secular and identifies culturally, rather than religious, then the Jewish wedding readings are based on traditions, such as โSeven Wishesโ from the guests rather than the Sheva Brachot, that arenโt religious.
In any case, whether the bride and groom plan an Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, secular or interfaith wedding, regardless of the Jewish wedding readings used, one place they can happily contribute creatively is the ketubah. They have full reign over choosing the artist and artwork they would like to see surrounding their chosen ketubah text. Danny Azoulay is both experienced and masterful in the beautiful ketubah artwork he creates. That way, when the groom hands the ketubah over to the bride, under the chuppah after itโs been read aloud, the couple will have a beautiful keepsake to remind them of their special day.
