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Why is it necessary for the bride and groom to be “escorted” to the Chupah?

by Mrs. Dinka Kumer

  

Library » Life Cycle » Marriage » The Wedding | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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The bride and groom are escorted to the Chupah1 so that they not become emotionally overwhelmed on their way to be wed. These escorts support and encourage the young couple on their way to making the decision of a lifetime. These escorts must be married couples2 —living examples of loving and happy married life.

Mystically speaking, marriage is the re-unification of two separated souls which become reunited in marriage, as well as the absolute joining of two opposites—man and woman. A wedding is a truly tremendous and complex event. Fusion of opposites demands great strength, and the re-unification of souls is no small spiritual incident.

As already married couples, the escorts have made this spiritual leap themselves. Their spiritual bond in marriage facilitates the new marriage to take place—for two more souls to become one
So, the escorts not only support the bride and groom to reach this milestone occasion, they actually assist the marriage to occur. As already married couples, the escorts have made this spiritual leap themselves. Their spiritual bond in marriage facilitates the new marriage to take place—for two more souls to become one.

Additionally, the bride and groom are likened to a queen and king, and as such, it befits this royal couple to have escorts in waiting.

Footnotes

  • 1. The origins of this custom can be traced to the Talmud tractate Brachot 61a (and Rashi there), and the Zohar vol. 1 49a. It is also mentioned in various books on Halachah (see Rama on Yoreh De'ah 391:3 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 147:5).
  • 2. Nitei Gavriel laws of Marriage 14:6

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Chupah
Wedding canopy. Under this canopy, the groom betroths the bride with the customary ring, and the traditional marriage benedictions are recited.