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What is the procedure of the Sheva Brachot recited beneath the chupah?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

  

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  • After the reading of the Ketubah, we are ready to focus on the next and final stage of the marriage ceremony, the nisu’in,1 which is effected by the Chupah. This vital stage of the marriage ceremony is celebrated with the recitation of seven blessings in honor of the bride and groom; and these blessings, too, are recited over a cup of wine. The first blessing is the hagafen, the standard blessing on wine, and the remaining six are marriage-themed blessings, and include special blessings for the newlywed couple.
  • It is necessary for a Minyan to be present at the chupah in order to recite the sheva Brachot. The groom can be considered as a member of this minyan.
  • It is Chabad custom to use the same glass of wine which was used earlier for the betrothal blessings. Since the bride and groom had sipped from this cup earlier after the recitation of those blessings, more wine is added to once again fill the cup before the recitation of the sheva brachot.
  • It is customary to honor friends and relatives with the recitation of the blessings of the sheva brachot. The first blessing, the hagafen, and the second blessing are recited by the same person; another five men are honored with the remaining five. The last blessing, known as the brachah ach’rita, is considered the most prestigious one, and is normally reserved for a very special individual.
  • Before each blessing, the MC customarily announces, “Mr. John Doe is honored with the recitation of the xth blessing.” The honoree approaches, stands beneath the chupah, and holds the cup in his hand while he recites the blessing.
  • After the conclusion of the seventh blessing, the bride and groom are once again given a sip from the wine in the cup. (The ones reciting the blessings do not drink from the cup.) A volunteer then finishes the remaining wine in the cup.

Before each blessing, the MC customarily announces, “Mr. John Doe is honored with the recitation of the xth blessing.”

Footnotes

  • 1. See http://www.askmoses.com/qa_detail.html?h=166&o=2032374 for an explanation of this term.

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Chabad
Chabad, an acronym for Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding, is the name of a Chassidic Group founded in the 1770s. Two of the most fundamental teachings of Chabad are the intellectual pursuit of understanding the divine and the willingness to help every Jew who has a spiritual or material need.
Brachot
(Plural form of "bracha.") Blessings. A Jew is required to recite a bracha before gaining any sort of benefit or pleasure such as eating or drinking (and usually afterwards as well); or before fulfilling a Mitzvah (commandment).
Chupah
Wedding canopy. Under this canopy, the groom betroths the bride with the customary ring, and the traditional marriage benedictions are recited.
Minyan
A quorum consisting of ten adult male Jews. A minyan is necessary to recite the kaddish or to publicly read from the Torah scroll.
Ketubah
The wedding contract which features the husband’s various obligations to his wife. The focal point of the document is the financial compensation due to the wife in the event of the marriage’s dissolution through divorce or widowhood.
sheva brachot
1. The seven benedictions recited in honor of a bride and groom beneath the wedding canopy and at subsequent celebrations. 2. The celebratory week following a wedding (during which time the aforementioned blessings are recited.)