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While wedding ceremonies vary, common features of a Jewish wedding include a ketuba (marriage contract) signed by two witnesses, a wedding canopy, a ring owned by the groom that is given to the bride under the canopy, and the breaking of a glass.
Technically, the Jewish wedding process has two distinct stages: kiddushin (sanctification or dedication, also called erusin, betrothal in Hebrew) and nissuin, (marriage, also called huppa), when the couple start their life together. The first stage prohibits the woman to all other men, requiring a religious divorce to dissolve, and the final stage permits the couple to each other.
Today, erusin/kiddushin occurs when the woman accepts a ring or other object of value with the intent of creating a marriage. There are differing opinions as to which part of the ceremony constitutes nissuin/huppah; they include standing under the canopy - itself called a huppah - and being alone together in a room (yichud). they are now commonly combined into one ceremony. The ketubah details the husband's obligations to his wife, among which are food, clothing, and marital relations. This document has the standing of a legally binding agreement. It is often written as an illuminated manuscript that is framed and displayed in their home. Under the huppa, it is traditional to read the signed ketubah aloud, usually in the Aramaic original, but sometimes in translation. Traditionally, this is done to separate the two basic parts of the wedding. Secular couples may opt for a shortened version to be read out.
The groom gives the bride with a ring, traditionally a plain wedding band, and recites the verse: Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel. The groom places the ring on the bride’s right index finger. According to traditional Jewish law, two valid witnesses must see him place the ring.
During some egalitarian weddings, the bride will also present a ring to the groom, often with a quote from the Song of Songs: "Ani l'dodi, l'dodi li" (I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine), which may also be inscribed on the ring itself. This ring is sometimes presented outside the huppa to avoid conflicts with Jewish law.
The origin of this custom is unknown, although many reasons have been given. The primary reason is that joy must always be tempered.. This is based on two accounts in the Talmud of rabbis who, upon seeing that their son's wedding celebration was getting out of hand, broke a vessel - in the second case a glass - to calm things down. Another explanation is that it is a reminder that despite the joy, Jews still mourn the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Because of this, some recite the verses "If I forget thee / O Jerusalem..." at this point.
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