So I just got back from this wedding that I went to tonight. I rushed back from Tzfat, did my laundry, took a quick shower, and practically jumped into the cab; I had been waiting for this all week. It was the wedding of these two wonderful people, Ronnie and Nili. I just met Ronnie a couple of weeks ago and everyone from Mayanot was invited. I'm SO glad that I went. the chupa (wedding ceremony) was the most literally THE MOST beautiful thing that I've ever seen. There were all different types of Jews; chasidic, non-observant, ones wearing streimels, once with long peyot, knit yamulkas, etc. When I was watching everything go on, the kallah (bride) circling the chasan (husband) seven times, the rings, seven brachot (blessings), breaking of the glass; everything done with incredible meaning, intention, emotion, holiness. The chasan, swaying back and forth with religious ecstacy, lost his composure at times, burying his face in his hands and sobbing. The kallah, her face shrowded behind the veil, taking in deep breaths and smiling when she had some sort of collectedness. People blowing shofars, playing guitars and violins, singing, dancing, crying. Clusters of grapes dangling from the chupah. The one leading the ceremony, Nili's brother, asked us to pause for a moment to recognize the presence of the Shechina, the feminine face of Hashem, the very presence of Hashem. Closing my eyes, listening to the faint sounds of distant sung melodies, freely strummed guitar, violin drones, the underlying murmer of voices, all interplaying with one another, I heard the collage of Hashem's symphony. Opening my eyes, seeing the vibrant colors of the flowered vines, the blend of different types of people, embracing, swaying, dabbing at the tears of joy in their eyes, closing their own eyes to drink in the moment, I saw Hashem's masterpiece. The crowd was united, witnessing the beautiful, blessed union of two people, starting their holy home of Torah and G-dliness; we were one, vessels for the Shechina, conduits for Hashem. We were actualizing the presence of G-d on Earth. The glass was broken in commemoration of the destruction of the Temple, yet also to break free from a previous life of seperateness into wholeness. We danced throughout the night and I, for the first time in my life, experiences being b'simcha, full of joy, pure unbridled joy.
Zach
p.s. sorry for the cheesiness/melodrama
It sounded as though you had a wonderful experience. It is beautiful when all Jews come together and get along.
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