  A Messianic Jewish Wedding Ketubah Signing- The Ketubah is signed in a private ceremony
with the Bride, Groom, family and the wedding party Bedekken - Veiling The pre-ceremony ritual
is the veiling of the Kallah (Bride). The Chatan (Groom) lowers the veil over the Kallah's face. This custom recalls
Rebecca and Issac's first meeting when Rebecca modestly concealed her face in a veil. It also recalls the biblical story
of Rachel and Jacob. Rachels father Laben substituted his elder daughter Leah, for Rachel. The Chatan lowers the veil over
the Kallah to be sure not to make the same mistake Jacob did and by "dressing" his Kallah with a veil, the Chatan
is assured that she is the one he has chosen, and thereby sets her apart from all others. Suggested Prelude Wedding Music Erev
Shel Shoshanim Adonai Sfatai Traditional Ma’oz Tzur Traditional Hanukkah
Song Jerusalem of Gold Y’did Nefesh Ani Le
Dodi
Seating
of the Grandmothers Brides
side is on the right. The Wedding Ceremony KIDDUSHIN - THE WEDDING CEREMONY The Jewish wedding is called kiddushin, meaning sanctification related to the word
kadosh (holy). The kiddushin is composed of two distinct ceremonies: the erusin and nisuin or nuptials. Erusin - The Betrothal The Betrothal ceremony
has been combined in modern times with the second service nisuin. It is during the erusin ceremony that the kallah (bride)
and chatan (groom) are formally and publicly betrothed to one another. A blessing over a cup of wine is said, followed by
a second blessing that reminds us of the holiness of sexuality as well as the integrity of the bonds of marriage. Both the
kallah and chatan drink from the same cup of wine, accepting life's joys, as well as responsibilities.
Blowing
of the Shofar Baruch Haba Bashem Adonai Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Processional of the
Groom, the Chatan Groom is escorted by both his
father and mother Music: Baruch Ha Ba Traditional
Hodu L'Adonai Ki Tov, Ki Le Olam Chas Do Give thanks to the Lord for He is Good, His lovingkindness endures forever! Processional
of the Maid of Honor Music: Theme from Canon in D Pachelbel Processional of the Bride Bride is escorted by her father and mother
Suggested Music: Dodi Li Enter Bride and Parents Who gives this woman to be married? Father Responds: "Her mother and I"
Suggested Music: Sunrise Sunset Bride encircles groom
seven times. Encircling
of the Groom The Bride circles her beloved seven times, taken from Jeremiah 31:22b, "a woman shall compass (revolve around,
surround) a man." Seven times is significant because of its scriptural reference of perfection and completion; the reference
in Hosea 2:19-21 of God’s seven-fold betrothal to His people, Israel; the reference in Revelation 4:5 to the seven Spirits
of God; and as a reflection of the Bride’s desire to be as the seven prophetesses of Israel: Sarah, Miriam, Deborah,
Hannah, Abigail, Hilda, and Esther. The position of the bride on the right side
of the groom is based on an interpretation of Psalm 45:10 "the queen stands on your right hand in fine gold of ophir".
In Jewish tradition the bride is a queen, and the groom a king. Bride and Groom Enter the Chuppah - The Wedding Canopy The bridal canopy is a multifaceted symbol: it is a home, a garment, a bed covering,
and a reminder of the tent of our Patriarchs. It is open on all sides to recall the tent of Abraham, who had doors on all
sides of his dwelling to welcome guests. Entrance under the Chuppah (Wedding Canopy)
This
is symbolic of the marriage coming under the Holy covering of God. The covering represents protection, mercy, and grace.
Ma Tovu Numbers 24:5 How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwelling places, O Israel! Blessing
of the Bride and Groom - Mi Adir Mi Adir al hakol. Mi baruch al hakol. Mi gadol al hakol. Hu y'vareykh et he'khatan
v'et ha'kalah He who is supremely mighty, He who is supremely blessed He who is supremely sublime May
He bless the Groom and the Bride. Groom lifts the veil to take a peek. This is to verify that she is his wife and not another,
avoiding the mistake that Jacob made with Leah. The Drashah - The sermon or charge should be a personal message to the bride and groom by the Rabbi with
challenges and commitments to the Holy One. Exchanging
of the Vows (Groom)______________, will you have (Bride)__________ to be
your wife? Will you love her, honor her, comfort and keep her, and forsaking
all others remain true to her as long as you both shall live? "I
will." (Bride)___________, will you have (Groom)___________
to be your husband? Will you love him, honor him, comfort and keep him, and
forsaking all others remain true to him as long as you both shall live? "I
will." (Turn and face each other) (Groom)___________, please
repeat after me. I, (Groom)___________ take thee (Bride)___________, To be my wedded wife, And I
do promise and covenant, Before God and these witnesses, To be thy loving and faithful husband, In plenty and in want, In joy
and in sorrow, In sickness and in health, As long as you both shall live. (Bride)___________, please repeat
after me. I, (Bride)___________ take thee (Groom)___________, To be my wedded wife, And I
do promise and covenant, Before God and these witnesses, To be thy loving and faithful husband, In plenty and in want, In joy
and in sorrow, In sickness and in health, As long as you both shall live. Ring Ceremony Do we have a ring
for the Bride? (Groom)________________, repeat after me: 
Harey
at mekuddeshet
li B'taba'at
Zo K'dat
Moshe v'Yisrael
Behold thou art consecrated
unto me With this ring According to the law of Moses and of Israel. Do
we have a ring for the Groom? (Bride)___________, repeat after me: Harey
ata mekuddesh
il B'taba'at
Zo K'dat
Moshe v'Yisrael
Behold thou art consecrated
unto me With this ring According to the law of Moses and of Israel. Gadlu
La Shem Psalm 34:3 O’ Magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt his name together. Music: Gadlu La Shem Kiddush- The
Blessing of the cup Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheynu Melech HaOlam Borey Pree Hagafen. Blessed
are You O Lord our God, King of the Universe who creates the fruit of the vine, the symbol of joy. Blessed are thou, O Lord,
who has hallowed thy people Israel by the blessing of the marriage canopy, the Chuppah and the sacred covenant of marriage.
Reading of the Ketubah (Marriage Contract) 
Ketubah - Certificate of Marriage This is to certify that on the 22nd day of the month of Kislev in the year 5758, corresponding to the 20th day of December, 1997, the holy Covenant of Marriage was entered into between the Bridegroom,
_____________, and his Bride, _________________. The groom made the following declarations to the bride; "Be my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel and the Messiah Yeshua. I will, love, honor, and cherish
you as Messiah loved the holy congregation. I will provide for you as is proper for a husband to do according to the teachings
of the word of God." The Bride has accepted his words and dedicated herself
to him, saying; "I will respect, honor, and cherish you in the same
manner as the holy congregation is to love the Messiah." Nisuin - The Nuptials The
second part of the ceremony after the erusin is the nisuin. This ceremony forms the second
half of the wedding service. Even though the chatan and kallah are legally bound to each other as husband and wife at the
completion of the eursin, the wedding ceremony is not yet complete. During this part of the ceremony, God's presence is
acknowledged in the new relationship. This acknowledgement is made by chanting seven blessings called the sheva b'rachot.
Like the erusin ceremony, the sheva b'rachot are chanted over a cup of wine. After the blessing for wine, the remaining
six blessings acknowledge God as the creator of the world, the creator of love and as the One who brings redemption to the
world. The Seven Wedding Blessings 1. Baruch Ata Adonai Elokainu Melech HaOlam, SheHakol Barah Lichvodo
Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, the sovereign of the world, who created everything for his glory.
2. Baruch Ata Adonai
Elokainu Melech HaOlam, Yotzer Ha'Adam Blessed are You, Lord our
G-d, the sovereign of the world, the creator of man.
3. Baruch Ata Adonai Elokainu Melech HaOlam, Asher Yatzar Et Ha'Adam Betzalmo,
b'Tzelem Dmut Tavnito, VeHitkon Lo Mimenu Binyan Adei Ad. Baruch Ata Adonai Yotzer Ha'Adam
Blessed
are You, Lord our G-d, the sovereign of the world, who created man
in His image, in the pattern of His own likeness, and provided for the perpetuation of
his kind. Blessed are You, Lord, the creator of man.
4. Sos Tasis VeTagel HaAkarah, BeKibbutz Bane'ha Letocha BeSimchaa.
Baruch Ata Adonai, Mesame'ach Tzion BeVaneha
Let the barren city be jubilantly happy and joyful at her joyous reunion with her
children. Blessed are You, Lord, who makes Zion rejoice with her children.
5. Sameach TeSamach Re'im
Ahuvim, KeSamechacha Yetzircha BeGan Eden MiKedem. Baruch Ata Adonai, MeSame'ach Chatan VeKalah
Let the loving couple be very happy,
just as You made Your creation happy in the garden of Eden, so long ago. Blessed are You, Lord, who makes the bridegroom
and the bride happy.
6. Baruch Ata Adonai Elokainu Melech HaOlam, Asher Barah Sasson VeSimcha, Chatan
VeKalah, Gila Rina, Ditza VeChedva, Ahava VeAchava, VeShalom VeRe'ut. MeHera Adonai Elokeinu Yishama BeArei Yehudah
U'Vchutzot Yerushalayim, Kol Sasson V'eKol Simcha, Kol Chatan V'eKol Kalah, Kol Mitzhalot Chatanim MeChupatam,
U'Nearim Mimishte Neginatam. Baruch Ata Adonai MeSame'ach Chatan Im Hakalah.
Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, the sovereign of the world, who created joy and celebration, bridegroom and bride, rejoicing,
jubilation, pleasure and delight, love and brotherhood, peace and friendship. May there soon be heard, Lord our G-d,
in the cities of Judea and in the streets of Jerusalem, the sound of joy and the sound of celebration, the voice of a bridegroom
and the voice of a bride, the happy shouting of bridegrooms from their weddings and of young men from their feasts of song.
Blessed are You, Lord, who makes the bridegroom and the bride rejoice together.
7. Baruch Ata Adonai Elokainu Melech HaOlam, Boreh Pri HaGafen.
Blessed
are You, Lord our G-d, the sovereign of the world, creator of the
fruit of the vine.
Kiddush- The Blessing of the cup
a second time Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheynu Melech HaOlam Borey Pree Hagafen. Blessed are You
O Lord our God, King of the Universe who creates the fruit of the vine, the symbol of joy. Blessed are thou, O Lord, who has
hallowed thy people Israel by the blessing of the marriage canopy, the Chuppah and the sacred covenant of marriage. Groom Drinks then the Bride Drinks wine from the cup. Confirmation of Covenant. After a man proposed marriage to a woman, in ancient Jewish culture, he poured a cup of wine and
drank from it. If she took it and drank also that signified her acceptance and she became his betrothed.
The Pronouncement - Ladies and
Gentlemen, as witness to the covenant of marriage according to the Law of Moses and the Law of the Messiah of Israel, I would
like to pronounce to you Mr. and Mrs. (Groom)____________________ , husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. The Birchat HaKohanim - Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make
His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift us His countenance
on you, And give you peace. The Breaking of the Glass - A Traditional end to a Jewish wedding serves as a reminder of the fragility of life, even during the most joyous
of celebrations. Life is fragile. We break this glass as a symbol of our past. In the theater that say go break a leg. In
a Jewish wedding we break a glass. Forgiveness is an end to a shattered past. As the Groom smashes the glass everyone will
shout Mazel Tov! Which means Good Fortune, may your lives here on out not be shattered, but full of fortune and joy.
Everyone responds with Mazel Tov Recessional - Music: Simon Tov, Mazel Tov
Bride
and Groom Best Man and Maid of Honor Groomsmen and Bridesmaids Groomsmen escorts the Bride's Mother (Father follows behind) Groomsmen escorts
the Groom's Mother (Father follows behind) Groomsmen escorts the Grandmothers Cheder Yichud - Private Room A brief
period of seclusion for the bride and groom to absorb the events of the ceremony where they spend their first moments alone
together as husband and wife. Yichud has been described as a period of bonding, a time of privacy and peace before the public
celebration begins. They will also break their fast before returning to the community to celebrate. Seudat Mitzvah - The Festive Meal Perhaps one
of the most distinctive and enjoyable aspects of the traditional Jewish wedding is the dancing and mitzvah (commandment)
to make the kallah and chatan happy. We will begin the meal with reciting the blessing over the wedding
challah, the braided loaf of egg rich bread.
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheynu Melech Ha-Olam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.
Blessed are You Adonai, our God, ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread
from the earth.
The
voice of joy
the voice of gladness
the voice of the bridegroom,
the voice of the bride,
and the voice that praise God. | 
