When you arrive at the wedding, you are warmly welcomed to join the Chattan (groom) and Kallah (bride) at their respective pre-wedding gatherings. The Kallah’s event, known as the Kabbalat Panim (Hebrew for “Welcoming the Faces”), is a joyful occasion where she greets guests and extends her heartfelt welcome to the celebration.

Meanwhile, the Chattan hosts his Tisch (Yiddish for “table”), where he may share words of Torah in honor of his wedding day. Guests at the Tisch contribute to the lively atmosphere by singing celebratory songs and offering toasts to the couple. During this time, important religious documents are reviewed and signed.

One such document is the Tena’im (“conditions”), a centuries-old tradition symbolizing the formal agreement between the families of the bride and groom. This document marks the official engagement and initiates the ceremonial steps leading to marriage. After the Tena’im is signed and read aloud, members of the couple’s families partake in a symbolic act of breaking a plate. This act carries various interpretations, such as remembering the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem or signifying the couple’s transition from their parental homes to building a new life together.

Following the Tena’im, the Ketubah (“marriage contract”) is reviewed. This traditional document has been a cornerstone of Jewish marriages for thousands of years, outlining the emotional, spiritual, and material commitments that the bride and groom make to each other as they establish their Jewish home.

Both the Tena’im and the Ketubah are witnessed and signed by close friends of the Chattan, Kallah, and their families, adding a deeply personal touch to these cherished traditions.