Example of Interfaith Jewish/Christian Ceremony
For This Joyous Occasion Interfaith Jewish/Christian Ceremony
Below is an example of an interfaith Jewish/Christian Wedding Ceremony.
All wording can be changed to fit your desires.
Any elements can be taken out or added in.
This ceremony includes
Shehechyanu
Explanation of the Chuppah
The Unity Candle Ceremony. This is the Christian symbol of two becoming one.
It includes a contemporary version of the seven blessings.
Blessing of the wine.
Ring exchange with traditional Jewish wording
Breaking of the glass.
I have a collection of additional wording for these elements, as well as wording for other traditions not shown in this ceremony.
All wording can be changed to fit your desires.
Any elements can be taken out or added in.
This ceremony includes
Shehechyanu
Explanation of the Chuppah
The Unity Candle Ceremony. This is the Christian symbol of two becoming one.
It includes a contemporary version of the seven blessings.
Blessing of the wine.
Ring exchange with traditional Jewish wording
Breaking of the glass.
I have a collection of additional wording for these elements, as well as wording for other traditions not shown in this ceremony.
Some couples begin with the signing of the Ketubah prior to the start of the ceremony. This is done seperatly from the ceremony
Ketubah: Prior to the ceremony the Officiant, the couple, their 2 witnesses, wedding party and family will gather in a room with a table for the signing of the Ketubah.
Officiant to guests:
The Ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract. The word Ketubah literally means written. It is signed before the wedding service by the couple as well as two witnesses (One should be Jewish and traditionally not blood relative, but it is up to you) and the Officiant. The text is carefully integrated into a beautiful background making it a stunning piece of art work. They were originally meant to be a marriage contract however the text of today’s modern Ketubah reflects the values shared by the couple.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The greeting:
Officiant: I address the couple & the guests:
We gather here today in the presence of God, family and friends to join _____ and ___ in marriage.
___ and _____ come from two distinct religions, each with their own beautiful traditions and for this they are twice blessed.
___ and _____ have each selected elements that honor their spiritual and personal beliefs and reflect who they are as a couple. We have woven them into this ceremony, so this is not only a joyous occasion but a spiritual one as well.
Today, we celebrate the coming together in love of this woman and this man (these women/men or two souls). We remember that marriage is a time when growing love is made public, when two people share mutual promises before God and before us. We join in our support of them as they offer themselves to each other. We celebrate their joy, their love and their expectations.
_______ And _____ would like to thank each one of you for sharing this happiest of days with them. They would also like to acknowledge loved ones who are no longer physically with us, but are here with us in spirit as we celebrate this joyous occasion.
Invocation (this is the beginning prayer to “invoke” or ask god to be present and bless this service):
Officiant:
In the Jewish tradition, there is a very special prayer that is said upon reaching a joyous occasion, called the Shehechyanu. The Shehechyanu is said when a baby is born, when a baby learns to walk, upon celebrating religious and educational milestones, at important holiday celebrations, and on the union of two people who join together in the sacred bond of marriage.
The Shehechyanu expresses our gratitude for being able to be with Stephen and Jennifer on this very special occasion. “
Blessed are you, creator of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and permitted us to celebrate this joyous occasion.”
(Groom or bride may repeat in Hebrew):“Baruch ata Adonai elohenu melech haolam Shehecheyanu Vekeeyamanu Vehigeeyanu Lazman Hazeh.”
Explanation of Chuppah (Note: sometimes a relative makes the Chuppah or perhaps you are using a relative's tallit/prayer shawl as the cover. If so let me know so I can acknowledge it in the explaination of the Chuppah)
Officiant:
Another Jewish wedding tradition is the “Chuppah”. The chuppah is a symbol of a loving home. The structure of the chuppah is not much more than a hint, or a suggestion of the possibilities before them. It is up to them to make it solid. The chuppah covers the couple from above with protection from the harshest of elements, but does not protect them from everything. Together, they will weather their storms, and their love will grow stronger as a result. The chuppah’s sides are open to allow in sunshine and fresh air, which nurtures them both. It symbolizes their willingness to be open and honest with each other, and it does not allow for secrets to be kept inside.
Inside this chuppah, just as inside of the new home they will create, there is the love from their families who raised them, as well as the love they have found with each other.
Charge to bride and groom (the charge is addressed to the couple. It is a preparation for the vows you are about to take)
Officiant:
_____ and ___, the covenant which you are about to make with each other is meant to be a beautiful and sacred expression of your love for each other. As you pledge your vows to each other, and as you commit your lives to each other, we ask that you do so in all seriousness, and yet with a deep sense of joy, with deep conviction that you are committing yourselves to a dynamic growing relationship of trust, mutual support and caring love.
Betrothal/Declaration of intent (this is when you declare your action or intent to marry is a matter of free will):
Officiant:
To _____: _____, will you have ___ to be your wife/husband, to live with her/him, respect her/him, and love her/him as God intends with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness, as long as you both shall live?
_____ responds: I will
Officiant:
To ___: ___, will you have _____ to be your husband/wife, to live with him/her, respect him/her, and love him/her as God intends with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness as long as you both shall live?
___ responds: I will.
Vows:
Officiant:
Now that you have declared your intentions, I invite you to share your vows with one another.
Officiant:
_____, repeat to ___ after me, these words:
___, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded wife/husband,
(_____ says) ___, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded wife/husband,
To have and to hold from this day forward,
(_____ says) to have and to hold from this day forward,
For better, for worse,
(_____ says) for better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
(_____ says) for richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
(_____ says) in sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
(_____ says) to love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
Officiant:
___, repeat to _____, after me, these words:
_____, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded husband/wife,
(___ says) _____, I have chosen you alone from all the world to be my wedded husband/wife,
To have and to hold from this day forward,
(___ says) to have and to hold from this day forward,
For better, for worse,
(___ says) for better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
(___ says) for richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
(___ says) in sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
(___ says) to love and to cherish 'til death do us part.
Blessing of the rings and exchange:
Officiant May we please have the rings
(At this point the best man will give the rings to the Officiant)
Let us say a prayer of blessing upon these rings
Heavenly Father we ask that you bless these rings. Grant that _____ and ___ may wear them with deep faith in each other. May they always live together in peace, love and abiding joy. Amen
The circle is the symbol of the sun, earth, and universe. It is the symbol of peace. Let this ring be the symbol of unity and peace in which your two lives are joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go, return unto one another and to your togetherness.
To _____: _____ will you take this ring and place it upon ___’s finger, and as you do, repeat to her/him, after me, these words:
I am my beloveds
(___- says) I am my beloveds
And my beloved is mine
(____ says): And my beloved is mine
To ___: ___ will you take this ring and place it upon _____’s finger, and as you do, repeat to him/her, after me, these words:
I am my beloveds
(_____says): I am my beloveds
And my beloved is mine
(_____ says) And my beloved is mine
7 Blessings and Wine Ceremony:
Seven is the most frequently used number in the Bible. It took seven days to form the earth, leaving the number seven to mark for us the path to creation. Since every marriage is celebrated as a new creation. It is customary in Jewish tradition that the bride and groom are bestowed with seven blessings over a cup of wine.
Officiant: (Or a friend/family member may read 7 blessings)
The seven blessings
May your marriage be as sweet as the fruit of the vine.
May you work together to build a relationship of substance and quality.
May the honesty of your communication build a foundation of understanding, connection and trust.
May you respect each other’s individual personality and philosophy, and give each other room to grow and fulfill each other’s dreams
May your sense of humor and playful spirit continue to enliven your relationship.
May you understand that neither of you is perfect, you are both subject to human frailties; and may your love strengthen when you fall short of each other’s expectations.
May you continue to be ‘best friends,’ better together than either of you are apart.”
Officiant:
Wine is a symbol of the sweetness we wish for your life. There will be times when you drink from other cups, from bitter ones; but life offers opportunity to savor the sweetness. The awareness of the possibility of a life filled with true meaning is what we toast: the good that is life. Wine is also a symbol of sharing. As you continue to share in each other's life, you will, as a symbol of this enduring cooperation, share this cup of wine.
“Blessed are you, creator of the universe, who has given us the fruit of the vine. “
“(Bride or groom may repeat in Hebrew: Baruch ata Adonai elohenu melech haolam boray p’re hagoffen.)”
(The couple shares a drink from the glass.)
Lighting of the Unity Candle (Not advised for outdoor or beach ceremonies)
Officiant:
In Christian worship the tradition of lighting candles has many spiritual meanings. The light of the candle represents the light of a person's life. The flame represents the eternal truth of God. It is a reminder of our connection to source. The light shining forth represents God's truth shining forth upon the world. A candle melts until its flame is extinguished in the physical but a soul’s spark is eternal.For believers to collectively light a candle, represents the sharing and fellowship of faith. To light candles at a wedding ceremony is a beautiful symbolic representation of a couple’s joining in the covenant of marriage.
______and ________ please light the two taper candles. These candles represent your individual spirits, your individual connections with God, all that you are and, all that you have been, and all that you will become.
Now together you light the center candle.
Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two lives and families to one.
(the couple lights the unity candle).
Officiant:
May the blessing of light
Be with you always,
Light without and light within.
And may the sun shine
Upon you and warm your heart
Until it glows
Like a great fire
So that others may feel
The warmth of your love
For one another.”
Pronouncement:
Officiant:
Inasmuch as you, _____, and you ___, have thus consented in holy matrimony and have witnessed the same before God and these friends, by virtue of the authority vested in me as a Officiant and the laws of this state, I now pronounce you husband and wife (or married!). Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.
The Breaking of the Glass:
Officiant:
The traditional end to this wedding serves as a reminder of the fragility of life, even during the most joyous of celebrations.
The custom of “breaking the glass” has a number of interpretations. Some say it is a symbol of the love that will remain in good times, and in sorrow. The permanence of the broken glass represents a permanent change in the lives of this couple, as well. Just as glasses are broken and cannot ever be exactly the same as they once were, their lives will never be quite the same.
Some say (with tongue in cheek) that the moment the _____ smashes the glass symbolizes the last time he/she gets to “put his/her foot down.”
_____ and ___ our wish for you today is that the innumerable pieces of the glass beneath your feet will be a reminder of the innumerable ways you will love each other in the years to come.
At this time _____you will have 2 of the greatest joys of this day. The first will be your opportunity to stomp on the glass, and then the greatest joy of the day...To kiss ___ for the first time as your wife/husband.
_____ - Breaks the glass with his heal.
You may kiss the bride!
Guests - Shout “Mazel Tov!”
Benediction
Officiant:
The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance on you, and give you peace.
Officiant:
“It is with great honor I present to you ______________________
