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Sanctifying Intimate Relationships

Intimate relationships bring two people together in a unique emotional and physical connection. This is something to celebrate, whether through the public festivity of a wedding, or in the private reflection of immersion in the mikveh. Sanctifying our intimate relationships elevates these unions and gives them a context of meaning and joy.

Photo by Jordan Cassway

Kiddushin (Erusin — Betrothal)

By Rabbi Rona Shapiro | Article

A brief article describing the practice of kiddushin (the first part of the wedding ceremony) and modern variations and alternatives [more]

Found In: Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies

Tags: brit ahuvim, erusin

Erusin — Betrothal

By Rabbi James I. Greene and Jennifer S. Corman | Ritual Component

A new erusin blessing [more]

Found In: Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies

Tags: erusin

Wedding Ritual to Bind Step-Families

By Linda Kriger | Ritual Component

These words are addressed to stepchildren standing under their new parents' chuppah. [more]

Found In: Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies

Chuppah (Wedding Canopy)

By Rabbi Rona Shapiro | Article

A brief explanation of the custom of the chuppah, ideas on creating one's own chuppah, and an explanation of circling [more]

Found In: Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies

Tags: chuppah, circling

Kavanot (Orientations) for the Seven Wedding Benedictions

By Rabbi David Sulomm Stein and Shulamit Sulomm Gehlfuss | Prayer

Taken from traditional sources and intended to be read prior to each of the seven wedding blessings [more]

Found In: Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies

Tags: sheva brakhot

Seven Circles

Poem

A poem to be read before or during circling under the chuppah [more]

Found In: Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies

Tags: circling

Abbreviated Sheva Brachot

Adapted by Lori Lefkovitz | Reading

Suitable for pluralistic or non-religious ceremonies [more]

Found In: Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies

Tags: sheva brakhot

Spilling out Wine: A New Wedding Blessing

By Deborah Eisenbach-Budner | Ritual Component

Under the chuppah, a heterosexual couple expressed their sadness for the inequitable status of same-sex couples. [more]

Found In: Pursuing Justice, Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies

Tags: LGBTIQ, sheva brakhot

Trans/Gender Queer Jewish Wedding Service

By Rabbi Elliot Rose Kukla | Complete Ceremony

A ritual template for creating a Jewish wedding service that celebrates gender and sexual diversity [more]

Found In: Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies

Tags: erusin, ketubah, kiddushin, LGBTIQ, same-sex wedding, sheva brakhot

From Dowries to Smashed Dishes

By Herb Geduld | Article

Origins of practices and the simplification of the betrothal-marriage process [more]

Found In: Honoring Relationship Milestones

Tags: engagement, tenaim