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soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Observance, Marriage, Women in Judaism (4/12)
Section - Question 8.17: Weddings: What happens after a Jewish wedding?

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                                  Answer:
   
   The following are some common customs after a Jewish Wedding:
   
   Yichud: Seclusion 
          The couple will, for the first time, be alone together as
          husband and wife. They will break their fast and prepare for
          the rest of the wedding celebration. Yichud is important; some
          rabbinic sources suggest that the marriage is not complete
          until the bride and groom have had the opportunity to be alone
          together. Originally, it was an opportunity for the couple to
          consummate the marriage. Typically, Yichud occurs in a room set
          aside for the couple for at least ten or fifteen minutes. In
          this room, the couple is provided with some food for them to
          break their fast.
          
   The First Dance: 
          The couple will enter the banquet room, to be greeted with
          joyous dancing and singing. At traditional weddings, the men
          and women dance separately (see [5]8.8). If you don't know the
          words (Hebrew, Aramaic, or a combination) to the songs, don't
          be concerned; just sing along. While some of the dances have
          formal "steps," you will be able to participate in most of them
          even if you've never tried before; spirit and enthusiasm will
          usually get you through. Entertaining the bride and groom and
          increasing their joy is an integral part of the celebration,
          and all the guests are expected to join.
          
   Se'udat Mitzvah: The Dinner: 
          A reception follows Yichud. This permits everyone to entertain
          the new couple and make them happy. The new couple is treated
          as another first couple (Adam and Eve); thus, the community is
          celebrating not only this wedding, but the first wedding of the
          first couple. The first meal as a couple is called Se'udat
          Mitzvah (a meal in fulfillment of a commandment). This is
          typically celebrated together with family and friends The
          dinner--with intervening episodes of dancing--is sanctified
          from beginning to end. The blessings at the end of the meal
          have special additions in honor of the bride and groom. The
          seven blessings first recited under the chuppah are repeated at
          the end of the dinner.
          
   The Bridal Week: 
          The bridal celebrations continue for the entire week following
          the wedding. Only at the end of the week will life begin to
          settle down to a more conventional routine. In some
          communities, the couple is invited to a different home each
          night at which the Sheva Berachot are recited and their wedding
          is celebrated. Even so, the bride and groom retain the status
          of queen and king for the entire first year of marriage.

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Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Observance, Marriage, Women in Judaism (4/12)
Previous Document: Question 8.16: Weddings: What happens during a Jewish wedding?
Next Document: Question 8.18: Weddings: What should I wear to a Jewish wedding?

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