The traditional Jewish wedding (chatunah, חֲתֻנָּה, in Hebrew) lies at the heart of Jewish life, linking generations to each other and to the Revelation at Sinai, when the Jewish nation emerged.

On a basic level, the marriage ceremony is an intricate legal transaction, by which bride and groom enter a mutually binding commitment, as outlined in the Ketubah document and transacted when the groom places a ring on the bride’s finger. But it is a deeply spiritual event, replete with traditional seven blessings said over wine, joyous dancing, and a seven-day celebration of the new Jewish home being founded.