In Judaism, marriage is a meaningful and sacred partnership. Some traditions speak of the idea of a “bashert,” a destined or perfect match, reminding us of the joy in finding someone to share life’s journey with.
Whether you approach these stories literally or as inspiring teachings, a Jewish engagement or wedding is always a time for celebration. These occasions are marked with food, wine, blessings, and the joy of coming together with family and friends.
If you’re not connecting personally to a gift on the couple’s wedding registry, or want to surprise them with something totally unique, we’re here to help. Read on to learn a bit more about Jewish engagements and weddings and discover perfect gifts for each occasion.
What is a Jewish Engagement?
While secular engagements may consist of a small party, in Jewish life, an engagement calls for much more. Read on to discover some traditions associated with a Jewish engagement.
L’Chaim: The Engagement Party
A L’Chaim is a Jewish engagement party. Much like a secular engagement party, this is a time for friends and family to gather around and congratulate the couple. The name, which translates to “to life,” represents the central feature of the L’Chaim. Everyone raises a glass to toast the couple and wish them well.
Aufruf: The Blessing
The Aufruf is the final tradition of Jewish engagement. It happens at a Shabbat service prior to the wedding. The couple is called up to the front of the service for an aliyah, a blessing at the reading of the torah portion, which is a significant honor during the Shabbat morning service. They recite the prayer before and after the Torah reading. Doing this fulfills a primary mitzvah, or commandment, in Judaism.
Best Jewish Engagement Gifts
After engagement, Jewish couples enter an important time in their relationship. It’s a time to deepen their connection and prepare for their impending wedding. Help them along the way with these Jewish engagement gifts.
Conversation Cards
No matter how long the couple has been together, there’s always new things to learn. Conversation cards help engaged couples explore their connection and their Judaism at the same time. Our conversation cards ask entertaining and thought-provoking questions inspired by each week’s Torah portion.
Gratitude Journals
Engagement is a wonderful time, but it can be a tense time, too. Wedding planning is a serious task. Between coordinating the ceremony and celebration and paying for it all, it can get stressful.
Help ease the stress by gifting the couple gratitude journals as their Jewish engagement gift. These invite them both to step out of the hustle of engaged life and into a time for quiet reflection. It also allows for a perspective shift from worry to gratitude By sharing their journal entries with one another, the couple has another opportunity to deepen their connection.
What is a Jewish Wedding?
Jewish weddings are steeped in rituals and traditions. Depending on the type of Judaism the couple practices, a Jewish wedding can include any number of practices. These are just a few.
Ketubah
The Ketubah is a marriage contract. In the eyes of Jewish law, it’s a legally binding contract that details a groom’s responsibilities to his new bride. Upon their introduction, Ketubot were considered to be a considerable advancement in women’s rights.
Today, Ketubot look a little different. Rather than detailing one person’s responsibility to the other, many take the opportunity to use the Ketubah similarly to how one would use vows. They also double as works of art, which couples proudly display in their homes.
Before the ceremony, the couple signs the Ketubah, often surrounded by their closest family and friends. It’s often displayed during the wedding for guests to see.
Chuppah
A Chuppah is a canopy that the bride and groom get married under. It’s a cloth supported by four poles that represents the home and life the couple will build together. The wedding ceremony takes place under the Chuppah.
Sheva Brachot
The Shevah Brachot, or seven blessings, are a series of blessings recited to the couple during the wedding ceremony. Some couples choose to have their parents recite them, while others might invite a different person up for every prayer.
Breaking the Glass
Breaking the glass is one of the most iconic parts of a Jewish wedding. After the sheva brachot, a glass is placed in a bag and set on the floor in front of the groom. The groom stomps on the bag, breaking the glass. Then the whole crowd shouts, “Mazel tov!”
Yichud
Immediately following the ceremony, Jewish couples have a private moment together known as the Yichud. This can last anywhere from 10 minutes to 30, and allows the couple to spend their first moments as spouses together.
Celebration
Finally, a Jewish wedding concludes with a celebration. There’s dinner, dancing, toasts, prayers, and, of course, the hora. It’s a time to shower the newlyweds with love and blessings.
Best Jewish Wedding Gifts
While the engagement is about deepening connection, marriage is about building a home and life together. Help the couple create a Jewish home with these Jewish wedding gifts.
Candleholders
Candle holders are an excellent Jewish housewarming gift. Each shabbat and nearly every Jewish holiday is celebrated by lighting candles. The lighting of the candles is believed to usher in the warmth of holy time.
There aren’t many specifications when it comes to candle holders, except that they’re given in pairs. When selecting candle holders as a Jewish wedding gift, think about the couple, their style, and their home decor. While silver candle holders are traditional, wooden candle holders provide a modern take and add a touch of nature to Jewish holidays.
Kiddush Cup
A Kiddush cup is another meaningful ritual object that makes for a great Jewish wedding gift. They’re used while reciting the Kiddush, a prayer that sanctifies Jewish holidays. Every holiday, Jewish people recite the Kiddush and drink from the Kiddush cup.
Again, Kiddush cups come in a wide range of styles. Choose the one that best reflects the couple, whether traditional or contemporary.
Challah Cover
Challah, a braided egg bread, is eaten on most Jewish holidays. As part of the Shabbat ritual, a decorative cloth, known as a challah cover, is used to cover the challah until the blessing is said. Some traditions suggest that the unveiling of the challah is like unveiling a bride. What could be a more appropriate Jewish wedding gift!
Shop Jewish Wedding Gifts and Engagement Gifts from Oneg Home
Jewish wedding gifts and engagement gifts are a chance to help the couple build their new life together. Each time they use their gift, they’ll be reminded of your love and of the community that enriches their lives.
For the modern couple, discover Jewish ritual objects with a contemporary twist at Oneg Home. Our handmade Jewish ritual objects, guidebooks, and conversation starters make creating a Jewish life accessible and meaningful. Shop Jewish engagement gifts and wedding gifts today.
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