Catholic and Jewish Ceremonies: More Similar Than You Think

There are some interesting differences and similarities between a Jewish wedding and a Catholic wedding. It is very helpful to the guests to have a program describing the ceremonial aspects so they can follow along.

The differences begin on the invitation. The wording on a wedding invitation for Catholics is the parents of the bride are hosting and generally are giving the bride “TO” the groom. The invitation wording for a Jewish ceremony differs in that both sets of parents are hosting and it is the uniting of both those families. Therefore it is proper to say it is the ceremony uniting Bride AND Groom.

A Catholic wedding has a somber and reflective tone while the Jewish wedding has a more jubilant tone. During the procession, the bride walks on the left of her father in a Catholic ceremony while the Jewish bride walks on the right.

During a Catholic wedding the bride and groom may kneel. In a Jewish wedding, the bride and groom circle each other. Both religions have wine, but the Jewish couple actually break the glass after sipping. This is called the Kiddushin. Seven traditional blessings are chanted while the bride and groom hold the Kiddush Cup that is filled with wine. Kiddush Cup can be translated Cup of Holiness. The blessing over the wine is a symbol of love. The breaking of the glass is a reminder of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70. It is also a reminder to the couple that a broken glass cannot be mended. Likewise are the irrevocable promises made by the bride and groom.  Even at the height of their personal joy, they must remember that life contains sorrow and fragility.

In a Catholic wedding, the license is signed after the ceremony. In a Jewish wedding, a contract called Ketubah is signed before the ceremony. The Ketubah discusses the couple’s responsibilities to one another. The signing of the Ketubah demonstrates that the bride and groom do not see marriage as merely a physical and emotional union but a moral commitment.

                                                      Jewish Wedding Dance

Illustrations provided by Caitlin Loe, exclusive illustrator and cartoonist for www.favorsyoukeep.com