THE SHEVA BRACHOT THE SEVEN WEDDING BLESSINGS

The number seven is the Biblical number of completion and fulfillment. Just as

there are seven days that make up a full week, so there are seven wedding

blessings. By using this sevenfold blessing we are praying that the fullness of

God's blessings rest on this new family.

XXX and YYY will drink the second cup of wine. After we have concluded all the

blessings and prayers, then XXX will break the wine glass. The breaking of the

wine glass reminds us of the destruction of the Temple, which we remember even

at the most joyous of times. The Temple was were the sacrifices took place there,

where atonement took place, where reconciliation with God took place that

enabled us to have eternal life. Breaking the glass is also a reminder of the finality

of marriage. Just as the glass can't be put together again after it is shattered, we are

praying that this marriage will endure permanently.

This first blessing, the prayer over the second glass of wine, seals the marriage

ceremony, and asks God to give joy to the marriage.

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe,

who has created the fruit of the vine.

ה ברוך עולם מלך אלהינו יהוה את ה .הגפן פרי בורא

This second prayer thanks God for everything in creation. Everything that God has

designed has a purpose.

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, king of the universe,

who created everything for Your glory.

ה ברוך עולם מלך אלהינו יהוה את הא שהכל .לכבודו בר

The third prayer is a more specific prayer thanking God for creating mankind, who

is made in the image of God, which is very special.

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of mankind.

ה ברוך עולם מלך אלהינו יהוה את ם יוצר ה .האד

This is an even more specific prayer thanking God for making mankind male and

female, appreciating the wonderful differences between the sexes, and how that

makes life made more pleasurable and interesting.

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who created man in Your

image, and forever formed woman out of his frame to be beside him.

Blessed are You, O Lord, Creator of mankind.

ה ברוך עולם מלך אלהינו יהוה את ם את יצר אשר ה האד .עד עדי בנין ממנו לו והתקין תבניתו דמות בצלם בצלמו

ה ברוך ם יוצר יהוה את .האד

Marriage often results in children. This is a prayer for the children that the couple

may be given, and all of the children of Israel, that they experience ultimate peace

and joy.

May Zion exult at the joyful reunion of her children in Jerusalem.

Blessed are You, O Lord, who causes Zion to rejoice in her children.

גל שישת שוש ה ות ר עק ניה בקבוץ ה .בשמחה לתוכה ב

ה ברוך ניה ציון משמח יהוה את .בב

This is a prayer for the joy of this couple, that they may experience the kind of

happiness that Adam and Eve did before the Fall.

Give abundant joy to these loved companions, even as You gladdened your

creation of old in the Garden of Eden. Blessed are You, O Lord, who gives joy to

the groom and the bride.

אהובים רעים תשמח שמח .מקדם עדן בגן יצירך כשמחך ה

ה ברוך ן משמח יהוה את ת .וכלה ח

This is a final prayer for peace and joy, not just for this couple, but for the entire

nation of Israel. This is happening to a small degree in now, but will be vastly

increased when Messiah Yeshua returns to Earth, and rules from Jerusalem over

Israel and the nations of the world.

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has created groom

and the bride, joy and gladness, delight and cheer, love and harmony, peace and

companionship. Lord our God, may there soon be heard in the cities of Judah, and

in the streets of Jerusalem, the sound of joy and gladness, the sound of joyous

wedding celebrations, the sound of young people feasting and singing. Blessed are

You, O Lord, who makes the groom rejoice with the bride.

ה ברוך עולם מלך להינוא יהוה את א אשר ה שון בר ושמחה שן ת לום ואחוה אהבה וחדוה דיצה רנה גילה וכלה ח . ורעות וש

ה מע אלהינו יהוה מהר רי יש ה בע ים ובחוצות יהוד ל קול ירוששון ן קול שמחה וקול ש ת נים מצהלות קול כלה וקול ח חת

ם ת רים מחפ ם ממשתה ונע .נגינת

ה ברוך ן משמח יהוה את ת .הכלה עם ח