The Marriage Covenant

The negotiations are concluded and the Ketubah is signed. The Kiddushin is coming to an end and the bride is expecting her groom. She knows it will be any day for the groom has made known his coming. When he finally arrives, the celebration begins and the Marriage Covenant is near. Moving past the wedding party, the bride and groom now find themselves under the Chupah where they reaffirm the covenants they entered into so long ago, and to finally step into the Marriage Covenant they have long awaited. The couple immediately partakes of the first cup to confirm the Servant Covenant. After the first cup, the Friendship Covenant is reaffirmed. The challah bread is dipped in salt and the couple shares the bread.  The groom then takes off his bride’s shoes and replaces them with a new pair to fortify her inheritance.

Finally…it is time for the fourth cup. The couple partakes of the wine as they enter into the Marriage Covenant. To solidify their exclusivity, the bride places her foot on top of the grooms as they break the cup together so no other may drink from their cup. Likewise, Jesus promised He would drink this cup with us in His FATHER’S kingdom. He has been eagerly anticipating this day just as much as His bride who has patiently waited for His return. The groom then wraps his arms around his bride with his tallit bringing them together as one. The chupah and tallit become a symbol of the covering or taking of the bride. The bride has now entered into his protection, and the Wedding Covenant is complete.