Ketubah Signing

The Ketuba  is a Jewish contract between  between the bride and groom. A traditional Ketuba deals with the groom’s financial obligation to the bride as well as the obligation to provide for her needs. A modern Ketuba, however, deals with the spiritual obligation of the couple to each other, in terms of unlimited love, respect, support and commitment.  The modern Ketuba is written both in Hebrew and English and is signed by the bride and groom as well as two witnesses that are non blood relatives. The Ketuba ceremony involves a brief explanation of the customs of the Ketuba and the signing of the Ketubah. It is performed in front of the immediate family and a circle of friends, according to the wishes of the bride and groom

During the ceremony the bride is escorted to the designated signing area by her parents or bridesmaids. The groom is escorted by his parents or Best Man. Several blessings which specifically address the significance of the ceremony are recited. In the case where the groom does not see his bride prior to the wedding ceremony, the Ketuba ceremony is done twice, once for the bride’s party and one for the groom’s party.

Bedeken

The Veiling of the Bride.

In more orthodox circles, following the Ketubah singing, the Bedeken ceremony takes place. In this ceremony the groom unveils his bride and recites a short text from the Song of Songs. There are also two blessings recited by the groom as he unveils the bride. The bride may choose not to have this ceremony. She may wish to be unveiled by her groom at the beginning of the wedding ceremony itself as she approaches the Chuppah. This custom is reminiscent of the story of Jacob, the son of Isaac who thought he was marrying his beloved Rachel and did not bother to remove the bride’s veil. He ended up marrying Rachel’s sister, Leah.