Weddings

The Jewish view of marriage is that marriage is a fusion of the souls, a partnership for life. 

God created the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, from one body. Marriage returns us to oneness. Men and women become complete through marriage. Rabbinic tradition teaches that a marriage will only be peaceful if God is a part of the union. The Hebrew word for man is EISH, which is spelled Aleph - Yud - Shin.

The Hebrew word for woman is EISHA, which is spelled Aleph - Shin - Hay. The letters Yud and Hay combine to form the Hebrew name for God.  Removing the letters Yud and Hay (God) from the words EISH and EISHA, leaves the letters Aleph and Shin. Aleph and Shin spell ESH, which is the word for fire.  Thus, Judaism teaches that if God is not made a part of the union between a man and a woman, then the couple will be left with fire.

Read more: Marriage in Judaism

According to the Jewish view of marriage, the purpose of marriage is both companionship and procreation. The Chuppah is a marriage canopy that symbolizes the couple's first home together.  During the Jewish wedding ceremony, the bride and groom stand under the Chuppah. Under the Chuppah, blessings are recited, the wedding ring is given, the Ketubah is read out loud, and the glass is broken.  The Chuppah is basically a piece of cloth held up by four poles. Some people use a tallit prayer shaw for the Chuppah cloth. The Chuppah is open on all sides, which is reminiscient of the hospitality Abraham and Sarah showed guests in their open tent. The Chuppah is usually held outside, under the stars, just prior to sundown, as a reminder of the blessing given by God to Abraham, that his children will be as numerous "as the stars of the heavens."