Before the actual ceremony, a Jewish wedding is full of events. They include:
Hachnasat Kallah
During Hachnasat Kallah (also called Kabbalat Panim), the bride, her family and attendants greet guests from a throne, as befitting her status as like royalty on her wedding day. We believe that the bride is imbued with special holiness on this day, which is why many seek her blessing.
Chossen’s Tisch
Yiddish for “Groom’s Table”, during the Tisch, the families will sign the legal documents that define a Jewish wedding – the Tanaim, and the Ketubah.
The Tisch is a loud and raucous affair. Though there are serious events – see below – the Tisch is also a time to hear some words of Torah from the groom (the Chatan), which are often interrupted by friends and family with drinking and song, to help dispel the groom’s nerves.
The Tisch also has some very serious, legal aspects. The primary among them are the signing of the Tanaim, and the Ketubah.
The Tanaim is a contract between the families to bring their children to the Chuppah, i.e. engagement, and as such, it requires witnesses – Eidim – and guarantors, to make sure that the principals carry out their responsibilities.
The Eidim Tanaim are Robert Levy and Rabbi Joshua Blau. The Guarantors are Steven Plumb and Jackson Richman.
The other contract is the wedding contract itself, the Ketubah. This is between the families and the bride and groom themselves as principals. Adina’s very close Framily friend, Talia Morrow, designed and produced Adina’s Ketubah.
The Eidim Ketubah are Akiva Levy and Rabbi Yochanan Posner.
Bedeken
The Bedeken, or “Veiling of the bride” comes from the story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel. This is an exciting time.
Spencer, escorted by his father, Joel, and Adina’s father, Marc, will be danced from his tisch into where Adina is sitting with her bridal party. After making sure that he’s getting the correct bride, he will put the veil over Adina’s face and both fathers bless her. Spencer will depart to the fanfare of his friends and family. Adina and her bridal party will also dance away with excitement.
After this, it’s time to head to the wedding ceremony proper.