Some Explaining To Do – The Walk & The 7 Circles

Goose and I have been meeting with our Rabbi once a month. We have had three meetings with her thus far.  It dawned on me that some of our guests are Jewish wedding ceremony virgins.  They have never witnessed a traditional Jewish ceremony. Thus I have some explaining to do.

I’ll start at the beginning and end at the infamous stomping on the glass!!

The Walk - - When the groom and bride walk down the aisle the custom is for everyone to stand.  This is because on their wedding day we consider them to be as honored as a king and queen.   The custom is also for the parents of the groom to lead him down the aisle and for the parents of the bride to lead her down the aisle.  In American practice, fathers escort their daughters down the aisle to ‘give’ them in marriage.  It is our belief that parents lead their children to marriage & that marriage is a union of families not individuals.  

The 7 Circles - - Once my parents and I reach Goose we’ll say our bu-byes (my parents and me that is.)  I will then (claim my territory, j/k) walk 3 circles around Goose, he will walk 3 circles around me, and we will walk one circle together (if we’re still standing!)  This process is rich with symbolism.  The number 7 (my favorite number fyi) represents the "7 days in which earth was created - - symbolizing the fact that the bride/groom are about to create their own ‘new world’ together."  

Enough learning for now - - next up its Chuppah time…