Jewish Marriage/Hupa

A hupa is a marriage ceremony in the Jewish tradition. Before the wedding ceremony begins, the bride and groom stand under the Hupa, the wedding canopy. The chuppah symbolizes the groom’s home into which he brings the bride.

The Hupa ceremony is very beautiful and mesmerizing. It is led by a rabbi who conducts a Kiddushin under the hupa, a betrothal ceremony where the groom puts a ring on the bride’s finger, thereby “acquiring” her as his wife.

Before the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom sign a prenuptial agreement – a ktubah – which spells out all the obligations that the groom undertakes. During the chuppah ceremony, the rabbi reads the ktuba aloud. Then the seven wedding blessings are recited, and at the end of the ceremony, in memory of the destruction of the Temple, the groom breaks a glass.

After the chuppah, the bride and groom seclude themselves in a special room, the Heder Yihud, and a festive feast follows.

A Jewish wedding feast is a really big and fun celebration. The guests should pay special attention to the commandment to make the bride and groom merry.

For seven days after the wedding, relatives, family and friends of the newlyweds, as well as members of the community, host a festive Sheva Brachot meal for the bride and groom, inviting “new guests.”