We now enter the wedding hall. The bride is in one room, with all the female guests. She is sitting on a chair that is more like a throne. After all, a bride and groom are to be seen as a queen and king. Her friends are dancing before her,with food and drink available to all...except for the bride (in Ashkenazi tradition) who is fasting. Nearby, the groom is sitting in a nearby room with all the male guests. The mood is serious, almost somber. He is about to make a commitment. The ketubah must be signed. Generally translated "Marriage Contract", it is really a guarantee of security and sensitivity for the bride.There is a debate whether this is a Biblical or Rabbinic obligation (both interpretations have solid bases), but an obligation it is. The groom promises the bride to cherish her, provide her with food, clothing, and sexual gratification. Besides that, there are three sums of money in every Ketubah. There is an amount (expressed in silver) that is given as her security, which will be hers upon her husband's death, or in the event of divorce. This will be hers, irrespective of any creditors or heirs. A second amount is an estimation of the value of all the money and possessions she is bringing with her.The groom will accept stewardship over them, which will revert to her in the above circumstances.To this, the groom adds an additional amount, generally at least double the value of what she is bringing. In Ashkenazi tradition, outside of Israel, there are customary, uniform amounts put in. In Sephardic, and Ashkenazi in Israel, dollar amounts are negotiated between the families, and will reflect the economic situation of those concerned. The Sephardic Ketubah is about triple the length of the Ashkenazi ketubah, containing provisions such has the inheritance of their children, which court will adjudicate in the even of a dispute, and a statement of the groom that he takes these obligations fully, renouncing any claims that he agreed to the terms under duress. The rabbis then hands an object, usually a handkerchief, to the groom as a symbolic barter (you take the object, I take all your guarantees, as your bride's agent). The groom lifts the object up, symbolizing acceptance. Two witnesses sign that they have seen the groom agree. In Sepharadic tradition, the groom signs as well. The ketubah will be presented to the bride during the ceremony. (In a few communities, the ketubah is signed just before it is presented to the bride). The groom then walks to where the bride is (in most traditions), accompanied by all the men. The men are singing and dancing, and the women make way for this procession. The groom puts the veil over her face. The primary reason for this is to make sure that it is the right woman, unlike what happened to our father Jacob when Leah was substituted for Rachel. There are also kabbalistic meanings to this ceremony, being the initial physical contact, however mild, between the couple. The rabbis and scholars present then bless the bride ("Our sister, may you be the mother of millions!")The men then accompany the groom to where the wedding will actually take place, amid joyous singing and dancing. Where will the wedding take place? Why the canopy? that will be my next post.