what's the difference between jewish weddings and christian weddings?

Question

do they have similar customs? isnt judaism the same as christianity? they both believe in moses, jesus and one god right?

re: question, in jewish wedings does the bride wear white like in christian weddings? do u have to marry a jew?

Answer 1

You seem to be a little confused about Judaism. It is totally different that Christianity. We only believe in G-d. We also believe that Moses was a great prophet and leader of the Jewish people. Jesus has nothing to do with our religion. To us he was just a Jewish person who sinned greatly and turned his back on G-d and his religion. He was a heretic who betrayed his people and was the cause of many problems for them. We don't even believe he was a prophet.

Here is a description of a Jewish wedding:
The wedding day is a very important and special day for the Bride or Kallah in Hebrew. This is a day when she has a special connection to G-d and he listens intently to all her prayers. This is the time when she prays to have a successful marriage, good kids who will follow in the Torahs way, health, a livelihood, and anything else that she needs or will need in the future. It is a very serious day for her and she fast all morning.

She gets her hair and makeup done and usually wears a white gown. (some people prefer to wear off-white or light pink - its just a matter of opinion). The Kallah is not supposed to see her Groom or Chasan - in Hebrew for at least a week before the wedding (many Hasidim dont see each other at all during their engagement). Therefore before the actual marrying ceremony which is called the "Chupa" the 2 families take separate pictures.

There is a reception with a smorgasboard, and the Choson and Kallah sitting in separate rooms receiving their guest and accepting well wishes. Of course, by Jews the men and ladies are always separated into different rooms at all times, or there is a divider in middle of a room to separate the men and woman. Then the men come into the ladies let by the Choson and he "Bedecks" his bride - he covers her with a veil that she will be wearing at the Chupa. During this time the bride usually prays/says Psalms.

Then the Choson and kallah leave the room and the people head outside (sometimes its inside and e/o sits but its usually outdoors and everyone stands). The chupah is the ceremony where the bride and groom are actually married. It is the mosts important part of the wedding and said that all the bride/grooms grandparents and ancestors souls come down from heaven to view it. This is what its like:

The Chosom walks down the aisle with his father on one side and father in law on his other side. They each hold a candle. The chosson wears some special clothing - a white Kittel because he is like the white angels on this day - clean and free of sin. There is usually someone singing. The Choson stands there for a few minutes and prays and then the Kallah walks in. She is accompanied on one side by her mother and other side her mother in law - each holding a candle. She walks down the aisle (she wears a veil the entire time, so people cant see her face) and then circles the Choson seven times.

Then the "kesuba" is read (a Jewish document - which is a must have for every marriage. It is in hebrew and says their names, and that they are agreeing - really the man to take care of his spouse , and some other things. If a couple loses this document they may not even sleep in the same room together until it is replaced). Several blessing are made by prominent people or relatives. The Choson says "Harei at mikudeshes le" and places the ring on her finger. This is what makes them officialy married. Then the Choson stomps on a glass and when it breaks everyone yells "Mazal Tov!" The bride raises her veil and the couple leaves the room holding hands.

The reason why a glass is broken is because since the Temple was destroyed we are not supposed to have a perfect true "Simcha" or happy occasion. By breaking something we are remembering the temples destruction.

After the chupah the guests head down to eat the meal. The Chosson and Kallah are supposed to be in a room alone for a couple of minutes - its called a "Yichud Shtib". This is sort of to prove to everyone that look, I am married and can now be alone in the room with a woman. This is the few minutes that they actually have time to take a few bites and eat the meal. Then they finally have a chance to take some pictures together.

After the meal the Chosson and Kallah each enter their side of the room amid song and dance. The dancing goes on for a few hours - the usual is from around 10 o'clock to 12 o'clock. Of course the men and woman dance separately. It is a big Mitzva to make a bride happy on the day of he wedding, so dancing is also and important part of the wedding.

After the wedding everybody goes home. There are special blessing called "Sheva Brachos" - seven blessings made after the wedding which is said in the blessings after eating bread. The first blessing is said during the wedding after the meal. Then for the next six days the families get together and eat a meal - usually a catered event (although it doesnt have to be) and at the end of each meal anothe one of the seven blessings are said.

As you see a Jewish wedding is very different than any other wedding. It is a serious day when they pray and ask that everything in life should go okay. There is no silly kissing of the bride, instead special blessings are said. It is so different than everyone elses were the main thing is kissing, dancing and drinking.

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Answer 2

The ones that I know of are that at Jewish weddings the bride and groom walks a circle around the bride 7 times and then the bride walks the circle around the groom 7 times. Usually there is a chuppah that the bride and groom stand under for the ceremony. If I remember correctly my aunt had to sign a marriage contract before the wedding with a bunch of witnesses present. Oh yeah and everyone had to wear the kippah even the christians. The bride and groom each walked down the isle with their parents. The ring is put on the index finger not the ring finger. Then at the end of the ceremony they break the glass. For the Christian wedding the ceremony the bride walks down the isle and meets the groom at the front and is given away by usually her father. They either do their own marriage vows or ones that are already written up and then at the end they do the recessional where they walk down the isle together to the back of the church (or wherever they are getting married) as a married couple. Other than that the receptions are a bit different with the dances and such.

Answer 3

First of all the Jews believe that Jesus lived but don't consider him the messiah. But you are right that be believe in one god and believe Moses existed. I remember learning that Christianity formed from Judaism.

At Jewish weddings the bride usually wears white but i think that might be partly assimilation. Wheather or not you have to marry another Jew depends on how religious you are. If you are othodox it is generally a rule to marry another Jew. If you are a reform Jew then you are more open minded and marrying someone not Jewish is more accepted. Inbetween orthodox and reform is conservative. When you are conservative it really depends on how you and your family feel about marrying someone not Jewish.

To answer your origional question:
I'm sure that there are many differences (and similarities) between Jewish and Christian weddings but i personally have never been to a Christian wedding so it is hard for me to compare them.

Answer 4

MOST Jews only believe in God so thats a problem. So usually either the Husband or Wife converts if ones Christian and ones Jewish.

Answer 5

I think they still wear white. but I'm not sure about the rest. in Biblical times a wedding party lasted for weeks. and after the marriage the couple was to go to their home and not leave, or have company over to the house for 2 years! could you imagine?
I think Jewish people prefer marrying another Jew.

Answer 6

Jews dont believe that Jesus was anything more then a little kid who made it big with the romans like 100 years after he was dead.

Jewish bridges where white.
Jews only marry Jews.

Answer 7

From my experience jewish wedding ceremonies are shorter and the reception is a lot more fun!

Answer 8

the Jewish dude breaks the glass!

Answer 9

one breaks some glass

Answer 10

the food.