BEFORE THE CEREMONY
HAVE WINE AND TWO WINE GLASSES AVAILABLE
SIGN KETUBAH WITH TWO WITNESSES
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES
THE BRIDE STANDS TO THE RIGHT OF THE GROOM, FACING THE RABBI’S LEFT. PARENTS STANDING NEAR CHUPPAH OR GIVEN OPTION TO BE SEATED.
XXX IS THE GROOM’S NAME.
YYY IS THE WOMAN’S NAME.
PROCESSION
RABBI AND XXX AND CHUPPAH HOLDERS ALREADY IN FRONT
GROOMSMEN AND BRIDESMAIDS
RING BEARER
SOMEONE TO PULL THE RUNNER
FLOWER GIRLS
PLEASE RISE FOR THE BRIDE
GIVING AWAY THE BRIDE
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
“I do” or “her mother and I do.”
KISS PARENTS
STEP UNDER CHUPPAH
WELCOME
Barucha Ha ba-ah! Welcome and blessed be the Bride!
Baruch Ha-ba! Welcome and blessed be the Groom!
Mee adir al ha-kol, mee baruch al ha-kol, mee gadol al ha-kol, y’varech chatan v’kalah. May He who is supremely mighty, He who is supremely blessed, He who is supremely great, may He bless the groom and the bride.
Optional: Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us concerning forbidden relations. You have prohibited us from taking those to whom we are merely betrothed, but permitted us to take those to whom we are married through Chuppah, the marriage canopy, and Kiddushin, consecrated marriage. Blessed are You O Lord, who sanctifies Your people Israel through the marriage canopy and consecrated marriage.
Or: Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us concerning forbidden relations. You have prohibited us from having sexual relations with those to whom we are merely engaged, but permitted us to enjoy sex with those to whom we are legally married. Blessed are You O Lord, who sanctifies Your people through legal and holy marriage.
In ancient days among the Jewish people, there were two separate ceremonies related to marriage: the engagement ceremony, which was sealed with a cup of wine. Then some time later the marriage ceremony took place, which was also sealed with a cup of wine. Nowadays a Jewish wedding has the engagement and marriage ceremonies combined together, which is why we drink two cups of wine.
THE FIRST CUP OF WINE
Blessed are you O Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam, Boray p’ree hagafen.
DRINK THE FIRST CUP OF WINE
XXX and YYY, as together you have shared the wine from this cup, so may you, in enduring union and devotion to each other, draw contentment, comfort, and happiness from the cup of life. May you find life’s joy heightened, its bitterness sweetened, and all things made holy by companionship and love together in the Lord.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
XXX and YYY want everyone here to know that they are Believers in the Messiah. They believe that Yeshua – Jesus, is the promised Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. They are not turning their backs on Judaism or the Jewish people because of their faith in Messiah Yeshua. No, instead quite the opposite, their want their Jewish identity to be strengthened. They see their Judaism fulfilled in light of their faith in Israel’s Messiah. That is why they have asked me, a Messianic rabbi, to perform a Jewish wedding.
XXX and YYY would like everyone to know that they are believers in Yeshua – Jesus. They believe that He is the promised Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. They have personally placed their faith in Him, and believe that He has brought them together. They understand Yeshua to be the fulfillment of Judaism, and they intend to build their lives and their family and their home on Jewish tradition and culture.
XXX and YYY want everyone here to know that they both believe that Yeshua – Jesus, is the promised Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. They have personally placed their faith in Him, and believe that He has brought them together, and will keep them together. XXX is proud of being Jewish, and believes Messianic Judaism is the kind of Judaism he wants to practice. And YYY wants to encourage XXX in their common Faith, and blend their heritages and cultures together.
XXX and YYY want everyone to know that they very much believe in the God of Israel and the Messiah of Israel. They believe that Yeshua, Jesus, is the Messiah and the Son of God, and that He came into this world, died a very special death to reconciled human beings, who are estranged from God, to God. They believe that after He died He rose from the dead, so that He is alive right now, their powerful and risen Lord and Savior. They believe in Him and have made a serious commitment to follow Him. Their faith is very important to them. They believe that God has brought them together. They believe that God is a very important part of their relationship, and God is a very important part of their future – including their eternal future. That’s why they have asked me, a Messianic Rabbi, a Jewish-Christian Rabbi, to perform their wedding. And it is their heart-felt desire that everyone here today comes to really know God in a very personal way, and make that serious commitment to follow Him.
They believe that when a Jewish man like XXX follows the King of the Jews, he pleases God and becomes more Jewish, not less Jewish. XXX is proud of being Jewish, and intends to maintain his Jewish identity and pass it on to his children. And YYY wants to encourage XXX in their common Faith, and blend their heritages and cultures together.
YESHUA’S FIRST MIRACLE
Weddings are so special. They are one of the happiest occasions in life. Hopefully, the wedding goes off smoothly, and is beautiful. The reception and party go as planned, and everyone has a wonderful time, and the memories of this joyous day last for a lifetime.
But sometimes there are problems. Not all weddings go smoothly. Sometimes there are problems at the reception. I’d like to tell you a story – but it’s a true story that actually occurred some 2,000 years ago. We know all the details, because it is recorded in the New Testament. It’s the story of a Jewish wedding and a reception that didn’t go so smoothly. But, it had a very happy ending.
The story begins with Yeshua – Jesus, who was a young carpenter-turned rabbi. He had just begun traveling around Israel with His first disciples. At that time there was a wedding in northern Israel, up in the Galilee, in the city of Cana, not too far from Nazareth, where Yeshua grew up. Yeshua and His family were invited to this wedding.
But a problem developed at the reception. The wine ran out. Can you imagine going to a wedding and the wine runs out? What a disaster! What a embarrassment! Miriam – Mary, Yeshua’s mother was there, and told Yeshua that there was no more wine left.
Then something very unusual took place. It just so happened that six large stone water-jars were in the home. Each jar was able to hold some twenty or thirty gallons of water.
Yeshua told the servants to fill these containers with water. The servants did what Yeshua asked, and filled the water-jars up to the brim. That means that there was 120 to 180 gallons of water in the jars. That’s a large amount of water!
After they had filled the jars with water, Yeshua said to the servants, “Withdraw some and take it to the man in charge of the banquet.” The servants did as Yeshua asked, and a miracle took place – the water had turned to wine!
When the man in charge of the banquet tasted the water that had turned into wine, he was delighted! The wine was delicious, and there was so much of it! The banquet and the family’s reputation were saved!
Then the man in charge of the banquet went to the groom, and complimented him, and said to him, “Normally, everyone serves the good wine first, and when the people have had a lot to drink, they serve the cheaper wine, because then they can’t tell the difference; but you have kept the best wine for last.”
John, who was there and was an eyewitness to this event, tells us that this was Yeshua’s first of many miracles, and this caused His disciples to start believing that Yeshua was no ordinary rabbi, but much more – the long awaited Messiah of Israel.
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, thank You that through Your Spirit You are present with us at this marriage ceremony. May You make known Your glory through this marriage, even as You did at the marriage at Cana in Galilee, when Messiah Yeshua performed His first miracle and turned the water into wine. Bring blessing and joy to this ceremony, the bride and the groom, and to all who are gathered here.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE
There is so much confusion about marriage today. Some don’t even know that marriage must take place between a man and a woman! We don’t need to be confused because the Word of the All-Wise God gives us the information we need to have a successful and God-blessed marriage. The very first marriage is recorded in the book of Genesis. It gives us the pattern that we are to follow.
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” … So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
With the creation of Eve, a special work of divine creation took place. Out of Adam, an amazing creature emerged. She was not made out of nothing, like the universe had been, nor out the dust of the ground, like Adam had been, but out of Adam himself.
Adam woke from his sleep to see a beautiful creature who was like him, yet different from him. She was part of him, yet separate from him. She was a perfect complement to him.
Then God Himself brought this amazing creature to Adam, much as the father gives away the bride.
Then Adam declared the very deep connection that he and Eve shared. This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman for she was taken out of man.
Then Moses teaches us these lessons: That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
For a successful and God-blessed marriage, the man and the woman need to leave their parents, becoming independent from mother and father so they can establish their own family.
And the man must be united to his wife. That means that marriage is an exclusive union between two individuals, a sacred covenant which is to be permanent. XXX and YYY, you need to keep your marriage covenant.
And they must become one flesh: The union of a man and a woman is more than a union of bodies – it is a blending of lives. XXX and YYY, you need to be united – physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, united in every way that is necessary.
THE CHUPPAH (BUILD YOUR HOUSE WITH GOD)
Being married under the Chuppah is symbolic of the bride leaving her father’s house and entering her husband’s house as a married woman. It is also symbolic of God spreading His shelter over them. God is a partner in building this new home with XXX and YYY.
The God of Israel is a God who wants to be with us, and make a home with us. He walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam in Eve in the cool of the day. The history of the Tabernacle and the Temple is the history of God building and house and making a home with us in the world. The incarnation and arrival of the Son of God epitomizes God’s desire to live among us and make His home with us.
XXX and YYY, like God, you are building a house together in this world. Build your house with God and in God. Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. In the Psalms, Moses declared: Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born, or You gave birth to the Earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
XXX and YYY, for a truly successful marriage and home, you need to get close to God and stay close to God. Worship Him together, read the Bible together, pray together, serve Him together, be an active part of a good community of those who really know Him. Make God your dwelling place, and your earthly home will be an eternal success.
Build your home on the instructions of the risen Lord, Messiah Jesus. Everyone who hears His words and acts on them is like the wise man who built his home on the rock. The rains descended, the floods came, the winds blew, yet that home stood firm.
In this fallen world there will inevitably come rain, flood and winds, maybe even hurricanes, that will try to tear down your new home. Build your marriage on a strong foundation. Build it wisely on the teaching of Messiah, and your home will never fall.
TRUE LOVE
Many people today are confused about what true love is. Love is not to be confused with romantic feelings. Love is not to be confused with sex. The essence of love is the selfless desire to do good for the one you love. One of the greatest teachings on love is found in Rabbi Paul’s first letter to Messiah’s Community in Corinth. Mark is going to remind us what this divinely-inspired man taught us about true love.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Let’s pray: Lord God, please bless XXX and YYY with true love for each other – from this moment forward and forever.
CHARGE TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM
God has designed women so that they want to be loved by their husbands. Love is to characterize the husband’s relationship to his wife. Husbands are to care for those amazing and mysterious and beautiful creatures that the Lord has entrusted to their care.
God has designed men so that they want to be respected, especially by their wives. Yielding to the God-ordained authority of the husband and giving him respect is to characterize the woman’s relationship to the husband.
YYY, love XXX. Be that helper that is suitable for him. Help him fulfill all the things that God is calling him to be and do. Encourage him, be patient with him, submit to him and respect him.
Husbands are to love their wives with a love that nurtures, helping her be her best, just like Messiah did for us.
XXX, love YYY. Follow the example that Yeshua set for us with His sacrificial love for His people He willingly gave up His life us. Love YYY in the same way as Messiah loves the people who are part of His eternal community.
Stay close to God and continue to grow spiritually, so you will be a good spiritual leader, and so YYY can follow you with joy. If you do you she will be beautiful and holy and happy and you will have in her a treasure far above rubies and gold.
XXX and YYY, commitment and love are the keys to a good marriage. Love one another. Be patient with one another and forgive one another. Seek each others best interests, and not just your own. Commitment will enable you to keep on working for the good of the other even when it becomes inconvenient or difficult at times.
Support and embrace his/her Jewish identity and help pass it on to the children God may give you. Being part of the Chosen and Holy People is a very special honor. Treat it as something very special.
Marriage forms the basis of the family and society. Unfortunately marriage is not held highly by most of our Society. The vows are often taken lightly and broken easily. Without good marriages, our society will ultimately disintegrate. Marriage is also important to the Creator of mankind. He regards marriage as holy, as something very special. As followers of the Messiah, we are committed to hold marriage in the highest esteem.
XXX and YYY the Lord has been gracious to both of you. He is giving you both a second chance. See to it that you don’t take your vows to each other lightly. You have the beginning of a good relationship. But marriage is a long term proposition. The way to keep a healthy marriage is to build your lives on God’s teachings.
The covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by His presence and first miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and His People, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.
The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.
VOWS
XXX do you take YYY to be your lawfully wedded wife?
XXX: I do.
XXX, please repeat these vows after me.
I XXX take you YYY, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to love and honor you, using as my example, the love which the Messiah has for His bride, the Holy Community of all His followers. I will try to love you in the same way that He loved her and sacrificially gave Himself for her. I promise to make my home with you, and to provide for your material needs; and to bring you affection and companionship; and to give to you all that is rightfully due, a wife from her husband. I promise to do these things with all my strength, for better or for worse, in sickness or in health, in riches or in poverty, according to God’s holy commands, and forsaking all others, to give myself only and always to you, until death do us part.
YYY do you take XXX to be your lawfully wedded husband?
YYY: I do.
YYY, please repeat these vows after me.
I YYY, take you XXX, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to love and honor you, and to submit to you as I submit to the Lord; and to be a helper that is fit for you; and to provide those things in our home which are necessary for your comfort and well-being; to bring you affection and encouragement, understanding and companionship, and to give to you, all that is rightfully due a husband from his wife. I promise to do these things with all my strength, for better or for worse, in sickness or in health, in riches or in poverty, according to God’s holy commands, and forsaking all others, to give myself only and always to you, until death do us part.
XXX and YYY, the Lord, who is a Judge and a Rewarder of those who do well, and a Punisher of those who do evil, has heard these vows, will hold you these vows. He will reward you for keeping them, and punish you if you dare break them. Fear God, and keep your vows, or suffer the consequences.
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
Serious commitment can require more than words – in this case, the marriage vows are sealed with a costly gift, most often a ring made of gold. Gold doesn’t interact with other elements, so it doesn’t tarnish; and it endures – just as we pray that this marriage will remain untarnished and enduring.
Being circular and without an end, the ring is a sign of unending happiness which we pray will characterize your marriage. Like a circle, the ring both includes and excludes. It is a circle around the two of you, a complete union in which love, intimacy and confidence are reserved for the two of you
XXX, what do you offer as a symbol of your love for and commitment to YYY?
XXX: This ring.
XXX, place the ring on her finger and repeat after me. With this ring, you are wedded to me, in accordance with the law of Moses and Israel. Haray at m’kudehshet lee b’tah-ba-at zoh k’dat Moshe v’Yisrael.
YYY, what do you offer as a symbol of your love for and commitment to XXX?
YYY: This ring.
YYY, place the ring on XXX’s finger and repeat these beautiful words from Shir HaShirim, the Song of Songs, one of the most beautiful love songs ever written, after me.
Ani l’do-dee v’do-dee lee: I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine (Song of Solomon 6:3).
Or: With this ring, you are wedded to me, in accordance with the law, of Moses and Israel.
Haray atah m’kudash lee b’tah-ba-at zoh k’dat Moshe v’Yisrael.
THE UNITY CANDLE
When a man and a woman marry, they are united not just to each other, but to each other’s families. XXX and YYY will light two candles, representing their two families. Then from those two candles, XXX and YYY will light the unity candle, symbolically joining each others families.
READING THE KETUBAH
THE SHEVA BRACHOT
THE SEVEN WEDDING BLESSINGS
The number seven is the Biblical number of completion and fulfillment. Just as there are seven days that make up a full week, so there are seven wedding blessings. By using this sevenfold blessing we are praying that the fullness of God’s blessings rest on this new family.
XXX and YYY will drink the second cup of wine. After we have concluded all the blessings and prayers, XXX will break the wine glass. The breaking of the wine glass reminds us of the destruction of the Temple, which we remember even at the most joyous of times. The Temple was were the sacrifices took place there, where atonement took place, where reconciliation with God took place that enabled us to have eternal life. Breaking the glass is also a reminder of the finality of marriage. Just as the glass can’t be put together again after it is shattered, we are praying that this marriage will endure permanently.
This first blessing, the prayer over the wine, seals the marriage ceremony, and is a prayer that God would bless XXX and YYY with enduring joy.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם.
בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן.
This second prayer thanks God for everything in creation. Everything that God has made is designed with a purpose.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, king of the universe, who created everything for Your glory.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם.
שֶׁהַכֹּל בָּרָא לִכְבוֹדוֹ.
The third prayer is a more specific prayer thanking God for creating human beings, who are made in the image of God, which enables us to have amazing abilities, and the potential to live forever as the sons and daughters of God.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of man.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם. יוֹצֵר הָאָדָם.
This fourth prayer is an even more specific prayer thanking God for making mankind male and female, appreciating the wonderful differences between the sexes, and how that makes life so much more interesting and pleasurable.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who created man in Your image, and forever formed woman out of his frame to be beside him. Blessed are You, O Lord, Creator of man.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם. אֲשֶׁר יָצַר אֶת הָאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ. בְּצֶלֶם דְּמוּת תַּבְנִיתוֹ. וְהִתְקִין לוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ בִּנְיַן עֲדֵי עַד. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה יוֹצֵר הָאָדָם.
Marriage often results in children. This fifth prayer is a prayer for the children that XXX and YYY may be given, and all of the children of Israel, that they experience ultimate peace and joy.
May Zion exult at the joyful reunion of her children in Jerusalem. Blessed are You, O Lord, who causes Zion to rejoice in her children.
שֹּׁוֹשֹּׁ תָּשִׁישׁ וְתָגֵל הָעֲקָרָה. בְּקִבּוּץ בָּנֶיהָ לְתוֹכָהּ בְּשִּׁמְחָה. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה מְשַׂמֵּחַ צִיּוֹן בְּבָנֶיהָ.
This sixth prayer is a prayer for joy for this couple, that XXX and YYY may experience the kind of happiness that Adam and Eve enjoyed before the Fall in the Garden of Eden.
Give abundant joy to these loved companions, even as You gladdened your creation of old in the Garden of Eden. Blessed are You, O Lord, who gives joy to the bridegroom and the bride.
שַּׁמֵּחַ תְּשַּׁמַּח רֵעִים הָאֲהוּבִים. כְּשַּׁמֵּחֲךָ יְצִירְךָ בְּגַן עֵדֶן מִקֶּדֶם. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה מְשַּׁמֵּחַ חָתָן וְכַלָּה.
This seventh and final prayer is a prayer for peace and joy – not just for XXX and YYY, but for the entire nation of Israel. This is happening to a small degree in now, but will be vastly increased when Messiah Yeshua returns to Earth, and rules from Jerusalem over Israel and the nations of the world.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has created bridegroom and the bride, joy and gladness, delight and cheer, love and harmony, peace and companionship. Lord our God, may there soon be heard in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, the sound of joy and gladness, the sound of joyous wedding celebrations, the sound of young people feasting and singing. Blessed are You, O Lord, who makes the groom rejoice with the bride.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם. אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא שָּׁשֹּׁוֹן וְשִּׁמְחָה. חָתָן וְכַלָּה. גִּילָה רִנָּה. דִּיצָה וְחֶדְוָה. אַהֲבָה וְאַחֲוָה. וְשָׁלוֹם וְרֵעוּת. מְהֵרָה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יִשָׂמַע בְּעָרֵי יְהוּדָה וּבְחוּצוֹת יְרוּשָׁלָיִם. קוֹל שָּׁשֹּׁוֹן וְקוֹל שִּׁמְחָה. קוֹל חָתָן וְקוֹל כַּלָּה. קוֹל מִצְהֲלוֹת חֲתָנִים מֵחֻפָּתָם וּנְעָרִים מִמִּשְׁתֵּה נְגִינָתָם. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה מְשַּׁמֵּחַ חָתָן עִם הַכַּלָּה.
FINAL BLESSING
יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהֹוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ.
May the Lord bless you and protect you!
יָאֵר יְהֹוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ.
May the Lord make His face shine on you,
and be gracious to you!
יִשָּׂא יְהֹוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם.
May the Lord lift up His face on you and give you peace, wholeness supplying you with everything that you need for a successful and blessed life together!
DRINK THE SECOND CUP OF WINE
DECLARATION
Since XXX and YYY have bound themselves together in holy marriage and have declared this before God and in the presence of their friends and relatives, they are now husband and wife. What God has joined together let no man separate.
KISS THE BRIDE
XXX, you may now kiss the bride.
PRAYERS
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, You are the Holy One of Israel and the Creator of the whole world. Bless this groom and his bride. May they always find grace and favor in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who meet them. May You prosper their marriage and cause them to establish a praiseworthy house among God’s people. May peace reign in their home, and may contentment and happiness be in their hearts all the days of their lives.
Lord God, Creator of all things, You are the One who created us male and female. You are the One who created marriage, to meet our needs for companionship and so there might be a stable foundation to raise new human beings made in Your image, and who have the potential to live forever. May they enjoy a blessed home together, and may You bless them with children, according to Your will. May YYY be a helper suitable for XXX. May XXX be a husband suitable for YYY. May XXX and YYY be inseparable from this day forward, bone of bone and flesh of flesh. May they cleave to one another and become one flesh – physically, spiritually and in other ways. May You work Your perfect unity into their lives. I pray that You work Your perfect unity into their lives.
FINAL BLESSING
Y’va-rech’cha Adonai v’yish-m’reh-cha. May the Lord, the Eternal God who is the Source of Life, bless you by doing good things for you, bringing good things into your life and the life of those you love! May He keep you, protect you and watch over you!
Ya’er Adonai pa’nav ay’ley-cha vee-chu-neh-ka. May the Lord, the Creator of the universe, who was, who is and who is to come, make His face shine on you, like the face of the sun shines on the Earth, bringing warmth, heat and light, making life grow and flourish and making sight possible! May He be gracious to you, adding His grace and unmerited favor to your life, doing lots of good things for you that you don’t deserve – but He will do it anyway!
Yi’sa Adonai pa’nav ay’ley-cha, v’yah-saym l’cha shalom. May the Lord, the Self-Existent One, lift up His face on you with recognition and with approval, like a good and generous man lifts up his face when he sees a beloved family member or a dear friend approaching, and wants to do something nice for them! And may He give you peace, restoring wholeness, adding well-being and integrity to your life, and supplying you with everything that you need for life in the world followed by eternal life in the world to come!
BREAK THE GLASS
PRESENTATION
I am pleased to present for the very first time, Mr and Mrs. XXX and YYY last name.
RECESSION