WHAT IS CALLED HACHNASAT KALLAH AND GEMILUT HASSIDIM?
Introduction
Jewish weddings are events filled with meaning and tradition, intertwining spirituality and celebration. Among the most prominent concepts are Hachnasat Kallah, the mitzvah of bringing joy to the bride, and Gemilut Hasadim, which refers to acts of kindness and mercy. These practices not only enrich the ceremony but also reflect core Judaic values, such as love, community, and spiritual connection. In this context, we will explore the significance of these customs, the blessings bestowed during the wedding, and how each element contributes to the unique experience of a Jewish marriage. Through understanding these traditions, we can appreciate the depth and beauty of Jewish life and the role they play in shaping communal identity.
Hachnasat Kallah in the Context of Gemilut Hassidim
The Alter Rebbe, the father of Chabad Chassidut, stated in Likutei Amarim of Tanya 18:4-5 that the patriarchs were truly the Merkavah of the Eternal (the vehicle of God). For this reason, they merited and were blessed to transmit to their descendants, to all who would arise after them forever, a Nefesh, a Ruach, and a Neshama from the ten holy Sefirot of the four worlds: Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah, each according to his position and his works. Even the least among the worthless and sinful men of Israel are endowed, at the time of marital union, with a nefesh d'nefesh de malchut d'Asiyah (kingship in the world of Action), which is the lowest degree of holiness in the world of Asiyah.
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning” (Qoh 7:8). The first blessings with which Isaac blessed Jacob were the dew of the heavens and the wheat of the earth. It is said:
“May God grant you the dew of heaven, etc.” (Gen 27:28);
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning” (Qoh 7:8). The first blessings with which Isaac blessed Jacob were the dew of the heavens and the wheat of the earth. It is said:
“May God grant you the dew of heaven, etc.” (Gen 27:28);
The final blessings were blessings of the fundamentals of the world, for which there is no end, either in this world or in the world to come. It is said:
“The Almighty God bless you” (Gen 28:3);
and he also added the blessing of Abraham, as mentioned:
“Grant the blessing of Abraham to you and to your descendants with you” (Gen 28:4).
Therefore, you must admit that the end of a matter is better than its beginning.
Things with Fixed Value in This World
However, some things have no fixed value: the peah (the corners of his plowed field), the first fruits of his harvests, being seen in the Beit Ha'Mikdash three times a year, Gemilut Chassadim (performing mercies), and Talmud Torah (study). These are things of which a person eats the fruit in this world, but the capital invested in them remains reserved for the next world. What are these things? They are: honoring one's parents, performing acts of mercy, attending the house of study morning and night, receiving guests, visiting the sick, cheering the bride (covering her expenses, attending the wedding, etc.), accompanying those who leave this world to their final resting place, devoting oneself to prayer, and fostering peace among people. However, of all these, Talmud Torah is above all.
The Mitzvah of Simchat Chatan Ve'Kallah
Have you ever been to a traditional Jewish wedding? At these weddings, of course, there are the standard and wonderful elements found in all celebrations: the beautiful bride and handsome groom, the joyful sounds of friends and family gathered, the delightful celebratory feast, the music, and so on. But at a traditional Jewish wedding, there is an additional element: the mitzvah of simchat chatan ve'kallah, which is the mitzvah to rejoice with the bride and groom. This mitzvah is found in the Talmud, in Berachot 6b. What does it mean to rejoice the bride and groom? The answer varies depending on several factors, such as one's relationship with the bride and groom. For example, the mere presence of a close friend who has traveled a great distance can bring immense joy to the couple. Many people take this mitzvah very seriously and work hard to ensure that the dancing during the reception is leibadik (in Yiddish, it means sincere, but it often implies spirit and energy). Thus, at a traditional wedding, one can see people dressing up to make the bride and groom laugh, jumping rope, performing amateur acrobatics, and even setting their hats on fire. The tradition of making fools of themselves to cheer up the bride and groom is ancient. In fact, the Talmud (Ketubot 17a) mentions Rabbi Samuel, son of Rabbi Isaac, known for juggling myrtle twigs in front of the bride. While his colleague, Rabbi Zeira, considered this to degrade the scholar's honor, Rabbi Shmuel was greatly honored for his efforts to fulfill the mitzvah of simchat chatan ve'kallah.
Teaching
El rabino Samson ben Tzadok, estudiante del Maharam de Rothenberg, escribe en su sefer Tashbatz Katan #464, 5 (primera impresión Cremona 1556) que “todas las costumbres relacionadas con un Jatán y Kalá se derivan de la entrega de la Torá, donde Hashem se reveló a sí mismo como el Jatán de la Kalá, K'lal Yisrael”.
LeChaim
Question: Why is the celebration of the debut of a boy and a girl like Chatan and Kallah called "Le'Chaim"?
Answer: When people gather for a joyful occasion, it is customary to have some alcoholic beverages and toast “Le’Chaim” – that is, “to life.” The word “Chaim” (חַיִים) in Le’Chaim (לחיים) contains the vowels patach and hirik, as does the word “Mayim” (מַיִם) – water. “Chaim,” however, is written with two “Yudden,” while “Mayim” is written with only one Yod. This teaches that it is appropriate for an individual “one Yud” (i.e., a Jew) to drink water whenever he wishes to quench his thirst. However, liquor should only be consumed when two “Yudden” (Jews) gather to celebrate a joyful occasion.
Le'Chaim — Mazal Tov
Question: Why, when we toast the Chatan and Kallah, is it customary to say "Le'Chaim - Mazal Tov"?
Answer: The Gemara (Mo'eid Katan 28a) says that Chayei, b'nei umezonei—a person's longevity, children, and livelihood do not depend on their merit; rather, they depend on Mazal (the influence that celestial bodies have on worldly events).
Since one cannot exist without livelihood, and the Gemara (Nedarim 64b) says that "a person who is impoverished or childless is considered dead," these three matters—chayei, b'nei, and mezonei—are actually what constitutes Chaim, life. Therefore, when we wish them "Le'chaim," meaning that they be blessed with the three matters that make up Chaim, life, we simultaneously add the words "Mazal Tov" to wish them a "good mazal" to be active on their behalf, one that generously provides them with the three things every couple strives for.
Vort
Question: Why do some refer to the party that officially announces the Chatan and Kallah for the first time as “a vort”?
Answer: Among those who follow the custom of not performing Tena'im until very close to the wedding (see p. 241), some avoid performing Le'chaim with a kinyan—a formal acceptance of an obligation. Their legalistic thinking is that breaking even a formal obligation involving a kinyan is almost as serious as breaking a Tena'im. Instead, they prefer that at the feast only a "vort"—a word—be given, that at the appropriate time this boy and girl, who are now Chatan and Kallah, will be married, please God. However, the majority is of the opinion that the kinyan performed at Le'chaim is not as strict as Tena'im and is considered simply a kinyan devarim, a mere verbal acquisition. Since nothing tangible is transferred, it is not truly halachic.
Union Must Ascend to Beauty
Question: What is the meaning of this blessing that is customarily wished upon a Chatan and a Kallah (and their parents) when they announce their union?
Answer: In the daily Shacharit (morning prayers), immediately after reciting the Shema, the prayer "Emet Ve'yatziv Ve'Nachon" is said. A total of sixteen adjectives are recited, the last one being "Ve'Yafeh" (and beautiful) to express our conviction of what we affirm in the Shema. Therefore, now that Chatan and the Kallah are entering into a union, we wish for them that their zivug (union) may ascend, that is, be worthy of all sixteen expressions up to "Ve'Yafeh." That is, let it be 1) true, 2) sure, 3) established, 4) enduring, 5) right, 6) faithful, 7) loved, 8) appreciated, 9) delightful, 10) sweet, 11) amazing, 12) powerful, 13) right, 14) acceptable, 15) good, and 16) beautiful.
Question: What is the origin of writing Tena'im, wedding stipulations, before a wedding?
Answer: The Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 36:4) interprets the first word of the Torah, “Bereishit” (בראשית), to mean that for two (ב) things called “Reishit,” Hashem created the world. The Jewish people are called “Reishit Tevu'atoh” – “the first of His harvest” (Jeremiah 2:3), and the Torah is called “Reishit Darko” – “the beginning of His way” (Proverbs 8:22). This indicates that Ha'Shem, so to speak, had His eye on preparing a dwelling place for His future kallah at the time of Creation. At the end of each day of Creation, the Torah establishes what day it was (e.g., “yom sheini” – “a second day,” “yom shelishi” – “a third day”). On the sixth day, however, it says “yom hashishi” (הששי) — “the sixth day.” Rashi (Bereishit 1:31) writes: “The Scriptures added the definite article hei (ה) regarding the sixth day of the conclusion of the work of Creation, as if to say that Hashem stipulated with the components of Creation that they be brought into existence on the condition that the Jewish people accept upon themselves the Five Books of the Torah.” (The letter hei has the numerical value of five.) Hashem’s marriage to His kallah (K’lal Yisrael) took place many years later, when He gave them the Torah. However, He made Tena’im — stipulations — many years before. Similarly, we make Tena’im (stipulations) before the actual marriage. Alternatively, the wedding between Ha’Shem and K’lal Yisrael took place at Mount Sinai when He gave us the Torah. At that moment, He revealed Himself (see Shemot 19:20, Targum) to His bride. Before this, the Jewish people had glimpsed their bridegroom when He revealed Himself at the splitting of the sea (see Ibid., 15:2, Rashi al-Pasuk “Zeh Keili” — “This is my God”). At the splitting of the sea, the Passuk says, "and toward morning the water returned le'eitano—to its power" (14:27). The Midrash Rabbah (Shemot 21:6), however, interprets the word le'eitano (לְאֵתָנוֹ) as if it read litena'o—לִתְּנָאוֹ—according to its original stipulation. This means that the original creation of the sea was conditioned on its splitting for the sake of the Jewish people. Since at this first meeting between the Chatan (Hashem) and the Kallah (K'lal Yisrael), there was a reference to a stipulation, we have the custom of making Tena'im (stipulations) at every first public meeting of Chatan and Kallah. (Today, many have the custom of delaying the actual writing of Tena'im until immediately before the Chuppah.)
English Version - Quiz on Hachnasat Kallah and Gemilut Hassadim
Here is a quiz based on the provided text. You can use it to assess knowledge about the concepts and teachings presented.
Multiple Choice Questions
Who is the author mentioned in the text that talks about the Merkavá of the Eternal?
- A) Rabbi Samuel
- B) The Alter Rebe
- C) Rabbi Samson ben Tzadok
- D) Rabbi Zeira
According to the Alter Rebe, the patriarchs transmitted to their descendants a Nefesh, a Ruaj, and a Neshamá from:
- A) The three Sefirot
- B) The ten Sefirot
- C) The four worlds
- D) The mitzvot
What blessings did Jacob receive from Isaac?
- A) Blessings of wealth
- B) Blessings of the dew of heaven and the wheat of the earth
- C) Blessings of health
- D) Blessings of wisdom
What is considered the lowest degree of holiness in the world of Asiyah?
- A) Malchut d'Asiyah
- B) Nefesh d'nefesh
- C) Ruaj
- D) Neshamá
Which of the following actions is mentioned as part of Guemilut Jasadím?
- A) Studying the Torah
- B) Receiving guests
- C) Visiting the sick
- D) All of the above
The mitzvá of simchat Chatán ve'Kalá refers to:
- A) Helping the newlyweds with their expenses
- B) Rejoicing with the bride and groom
- C) Organizing the wedding
- D) Visiting the sick
What does the expression "Le'Chaim" mean?
- A) To life
- B) To happiness
- C) To prosperity
- D) To health
What is said when toasting the Chatán and the Kalá besides "Le'Chaim"?
- A) Mazal Tov
- B) Shalom
- C) Baruch Hashem
- D) Todá Rabá
According to the Talmud, which three things do not depend on a person's merit?
- A) Health, wealth, and wisdom
- B) Longevity, children, and sustenance
- C) Love, friendship, and peace
- D) Knowledge, power, and fortune
What is done in the Tena'im ceremony?
- A) A toast is made
- B) Wedding stipulations are signed
- C) Rings are exchanged
- D) The Torah is recited
Correct Answers
- B) The Alter Rebe
- B) The ten Sefirot
- B) Blessings of the dew of heaven and the wheat of the earth
- A) Malchut d'Asiyah
- D) All of the above
- B) Rejoicing with the bride and groom
- A) To life
- A) Mazal Tov
- B) Longevity, children, and sustenance
- B) Wedding stipulations are signed
Feel free to ask if you need further assistance!
Here’s the translation of the text into English:
Here is a list of phrases and words related to the topic of Hajnásat Kalá, Guemilut Jasadim, and Jewish weddings:
Main Keywords
- Hajnásat Kalá
- Guemilut Jasadim
- Jewish weddings
- Simjat Jatán ve'Kalá
- Talmud Torah
- Mitzvot in weddings
- Jewish traditions
- Blessings at the wedding
- Nefesh, Ruaj, and Neshamá
- Merkavá of the Eternal
Key Phrases
- "Importance of Hajnásat Kalá in Jewish tradition"
- "Guemilut Jasadim and its significance in the Jewish community"
- "How to bring joy to the bride and groom at a Jewish wedding"
- "Blessings of Isaac to Jacob in the Torah"
- "The mitzvá of simjat Jatán ve'Kalá explained"
- "Wedding traditions in Judaism"
- "The role of the patriarchs in spiritual transmission"
- "Meaning of Le'Chaim in celebrations"
- "Customs of Tena'im in Jewish weddings"
- "The connection between marriage and the giving of the Torah"
Related Terms
- Jewish celebrations
- Jewish community
- Wedding ritual
- Study of the Torah
- Acts of kindness
- Jewish religion
- Jewish culture
- Values in Judaism
- Religious ceremonies
- History of Judaism
Variations of Keywords
- "Traditional Jewish wedding"
- "Bringing joy to the bride and groom"
- "Blessings in the wedding ceremony"
- "Customs of Guemilut Jasadim"
- "Meaning of the blessings in the Torah"
- "Importance of community in Jewish weddings"
- "Marriage in Judaism"
Calls to Action
- "Discover the traditions of Jewish weddings"
- "Learn about Hajnásat Kalá and its significance"
- "Explore the mitzvá of simjat Jatán ve'Kalá"
- "Find out more about Guemilut Jasadim"
- "Participate in Jewish celebrations"
The use of keywords and key phrases helps improve the visibility of your content related to the desired topic.
No comments:
Post a Comment