So soon after Rosh Hashanah, we observe a ‘fast day’ . . . what could possibly happen that would merit such an observance?
Incidentally, why do the Bride and Groom fast on the day of their wedding . . . very possibly, it is all a matter of life and death. The end of one life and the very beginning of another.
The women of the family ^ assemble (for the Kabbalat Panim) before the men are allowed to enter the room for the Veiling (“the Bedeken” — i.e. Benji will veil Emuna after checking to see that it is in fact Emuna and not one of her sisters — here attempting to avoid the situation which occurred to our Patriarch Jacob, and the Matriarchs Rachel and Leah on what was to become “a most unusual wedding night”).
After ‘the veiling’ — the Father of the Groom Blesses the Bride at ‘the Bedeken’ (Robyn, the mother of the Groom sitting to her right). Her father, Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld also blesses Emuna — and he is able to give her a kiss (very sweet).
Here the Bride and Groom ‘break the fast’ after the completion of the Chuppah (the Bridal Canopy) and ‘Yichud,’ (i.e. a time of being alone together before the festivities may continue). Here many people will approach the couple to ask for a blessing . . . which is a special rite granted to them to bestow — at the time of their wedding.
Please note: Also attached to this email is a picture from the Ketubbah signing — if you are able to see the attachment, it shows the father of the Bride discussing the Ketubbah with the Rosh Yeshiva — sitting nearby is Benji, (I am sitting calmly alongside Benji) where he is anxiously awaiting his being ‘escorted’ (danced in) by his peers to the room of the Bedeken, the Veiling and all of the Blessings before the Chuppah. Here you can see that Benji has been fasting all day, this is because the wedding day is reminiscent of leaving one place in life and ‘going’ onto another. We’ll discuss this further . . . . I hope to see everyone at 7:00 PM this evening.
Much to report — much to repent — much to share. All good.
Many Mazels yet to come,
‘Im Yirtseh HaShem . . . ”
R’ Seth
P.S. Please remember, if you would like to come to Shul as my guest, for Yom Kippur, please let me know. The food isn’t great – but the experience is meaningful.
