Veiling of the Bride ("Badeken")

One of the more moving ceremonies at a Jewish wedding is the "badeken" (veiling). This ceremony says much about the nature of the commitment between husband and wife.

There's an old stereotype when it comes to marriage. Men marry women for their looks. Women marry men for their money. There are of course many exceptions to this rule. But there is some truth to it too.

The Mishnah (completed in the second century) records the custom of some Jewish brides to wear a veil.

Why does the bride walk in a circle around the groom? Why do we specifically use a ring in the ceremony? Read the answers to some interesting wedding related questions.

The veiling ceremony (bedeken), held only for a bride's first marriage, symbolizes modesty, dignity, and a new identity. The groom veils the bride, marking their union.

Do You Know Your Bride? Why does the groom place an opaque veil over his bride’s face? The father of the first Jewish family, Jacob, was a victim of a last-minute switch. His father-in-law substituted Leah, the older of his two daughters, for Rachel, the ...

I stood in awe of the people who knew exactly what was happening. Everyone seemed at ease, familiar with each step of the ceremony.

Successful spiritual travels remain rooted in a focus on the holy.