Ali-yah: Literally, "going up" –
refers to going up to the Torah reader bimah (stage) in a synagogue. An
Aliyah is an honor bestowed people who partake in prayer services, where
they join the Torah reader, and read a portion of the Torah text.
Ashkenazi, or Ashkenazic Jews:
Jews whose ancestry, traditions, and customs originated in Central and Eastern
Europe.
Aufruf (Oyfruf): Torah honor to the groom
(and in some congregations to the bride as well) on the Sabbath before the
wedding. In many synagogues, while the groom is reciting the blessing of the Aliyah, the rest of the participants in the prayer services throw candy and
other sweets at the bimah. A symbolic act, denoting the crowds wishes of
a sweet life for the new bride and groom
Badeken or B'deken: veiling of the
bride by the groom before the wedding (chuppah) ceremony.
BaShow:
A brief pre-arranged in-home meeting between potential bride and groom.
Bentch: Yiddish for saying Grace,
or bestowing a blessing.
Bentcher: A booklet containing the
text of the Grace after Meals. At some Jewish weddings, a
bentcher is
included with every place setting, and serves as a wedding momentum for the
guests.
Bimah: The platform on which the
Torah reader’s desk is located. The Bimah is usually found in front of
the Ark, however in some Sephardic synagogues the Bimah may be located in
the center of the room.
Birkat Hamazon: Grace after Meals
Breaking of the Glass: A symbolic act -
the smashing of the glass by the Chatan (groom) at the conclusion of the
wedding ceremony under the canopy.
Challah: a braided white bread
made especially for the Sabbath and holidays and also for the Bride and Groom’s
table at their wedding.
Chatan or Chossen: A bridegroom
Chuppah: The wedding canopy.
Erusin: A betrothal ceremony.
Nowadays, it is the first part of the Wedding service, where a contract
expressing the intentions of both parties, the bride and the groom, is signed
Fraylach: Lively atmosphere
generated by the wedding guests who dance and sing
Get: A religious decree of divorce
according to Jewish law
Groom's Tish or
Chossen’s Tish:
Yiddish for the groom's table. This is where the groom, groomsmen and male
family members gather for song and dance before the ceremony and also witness
the signing of the engagement contract.
Ha-Motzi: An expression that
refers to the blessing said over bread.
Hakhnassat Kallah: Literally,
bringing in the bride. Used in reference to money collection for brides who
cannot afford the high costs of the wedding party, and setting up a home. This
particular “tzedakah” or charity is considered to be of very high
importance in Jewish tradition.
Kallah: A bride
Kashrut: the system of Jewish
dietary laws. “Kosher wedding” usually refers to a wedding celebration in which
the kosher laws regarding food are adhered to.
Ketubah: A marriage contract
Kiddush: The blessing said over
wine on Shabbat and Holidays. Under the wedding canopy and at the end of a
Jewish wedding ceremony, (during the “Sheva Brachot”) a blessing over
wine is also included.
Kinyan: Refers to the gift of a
ring at the ceremony or a material object at the contract signing
Kippa: A skullcap or
Yarmulke
Kittel: The white ceremonial robe
sometimes worn by the groom during the wedding ceremony that takes place under
the Chuppah..
Kosher: Food and drink that meets
the requirements of the dietary laws (kashrut)
L’Chayim or L'Chaim: Literally,
“to life." A traditional toast before drinking liquor or wine
Mach-te-ni-s-te: Mother-in-law
Mazel tov: Literally, "good luck"-
a congratulatory wish. Upon breaking of the glass under the Chuppah, the
guests often respond with a hearty and boisterous “mazel tov!”
Mazinkeh: The youngest sibling to
get married
Mazinkeh tantz: A joyous dance
towards the end of the reception which honors parents who brought their last son
or daughter to the Chuppah.
MeChuten: Father-in-law; also a
new relationship to the other parents
MeChutonim: Relatives by marriage
Naches: Experiencing pleasure and
pride in the accomplishment and virtues of one’s children
Ni-su-in: The nuptial portion of
the wedding service
Oyfruf (Aufruf): Torah honor to the groom
(and in some congregations to the bride as well) on the Sabbath before the
wedding. In many synagogues, while the groom is reciting the blessing of the Aliya, the rest of the participants in the prayer services throw candy and
other sweets at the bimah. A symbolic act, denoting the crowds wishes of
a sweet life for the new bride and groom
Parashah: the weekly portion of
the Torah
Sefirah: Literally, counting the
period between Passover and Shavuot when weddings may not be held
Sephardim: Jews from Mediterranean
countries, Spain or Portugal
Shabbat: Hebrew word for Sabbath
Shadchan: Hebrew word for
a matchmaker
Sheva berachot: the seven marriage
blessings, first recited under the Chuppah
Siman tov: A good sign, a good
omen. A congratulatory form of wishing for good things
Simcha: Literally, “happiness.” A
celebration, such as a wedding, bar mitzvah, etc. is called “simcha,” as
is the joy of a celebration
Tallis or Tallit: A prayer shawl
worn by married Jewish men in Orthodox synagogues and all adult men in
conservative, reform, and reconstructionist synagogues.
Te-naim: Literally, “conditions”
or “stipulations.” It is the name given to the engagement contract as well as to
the celebration held when the contract is signed
Tish: Yiddish – literally table.
Used to denote a festive table spread for the bride’s or the groom’s reception
Torah: The first five books of the Hebrew
Bible
Tzedakah: Charity or the
obligatory Jewish requirement of righteous giving and just behavior. Many Jews
donate “Ma-aser” or 10% of their earning to needy people or charitable
organizations.
Unterfirer: Yiddish, the people
who escort the bride and groom to the Chuppah. Most often parents escort
their sons and daughters. In some circles, mothers of the bride and groom escort
the Kallah, and fathers of the about to be wed couple escorts the Chatan.
Yarmulke or Kippah: skullcap
Yichud: Literally, becoming one,
or "union." The brief seclusion of the bride and groom immediately after the
wedding ceremony symbolizes their becoming as one.
Zivug: Literally, “coupling.”
Mainly referring to one’s preordained mate, what one would hope is the perfect
match
