- Family and Society
- Wedding and Sheva Berachot
Is It a Jewish Custom to Wear White at a Wedding?
As far back as the 14th century, the Orchot Chaim (Rav Ahron ben Yakov HaKohen) writes that is appropriate for both the bride & groom to wear white; the Radbaz (b. 1479) notes that it was an "ancient custom" in Egyptian Jewish society to wear white. A number of reasons are given: Of course, white is a sign of purity, & chatan & kalla are forgiven of their sins on their wedding day, which is a "Yom Kippur katan." White clothes signify forgiveness, as Yeshayahu 1:18 says, "Even if your sins are like crimson, they will become white as snow." Others link 2 p’sukim from Kohelet (9:8-9): "At all times, let your clothes be white;" & "Enjoy life with the wife whom you love." Others say white clothes connect to tachrichim (burial shrouds), which spur us on to repentance but are also a good omen that the couple will remain married together until the day they die. Some kallot choose to wear off-white, so as not to directly imitate non-Jewish custom, but this is not required (per Rav Ovadia), as we had the custom first.

Sheva Berachot Every Day of Sheva Berachot?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Adar I 14 5782

A Layman's Guide to Marriage
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Cheshvan 24 5782

Partial Participation in a Wedding
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Kislev 4 5780

Do the Chatan and Kalla Need to Eat at Sheva Berachot?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Kislev 6 5779

Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.

Come Together, Right Now
5775

All in the Family
Kislev 3 5781

Heroes & Honored Guests
5775

In My Life, I’ve Loved Them All
20 Elul 5783

Some Light Chanukah Questions
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 20 kislev 5769

Flying High - A Traveler’s Guide to Channukah
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Kislev 5768

The Halacha and History of the Gid Hanosheh
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | kislev 5769

Some Light Chanukah Questions
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 20 kislev 5769
Judging Favorably – Even the Good Ones
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | 11 Kislev 5784

How the Four Places Called "Zion" are All the Same
Rabbi Moshe Tzuriel | 4 Kislev 5784

Parashat Vayetse- The Character of Jacob
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | Kislev 11 5784
