Sheva Brochos

Friday afternoon, about two hours before the onset of Shabbos (when all work ceses,) I found out that a girl who had attended our school, and had just gotten married in another city, was in Simferopol. A quick call, and they were delighted for us to make them Sheva Brochos.* While I would normally spend days preparing, it was not possible on such short notice. Thank goodness my freezer was well stocked, and I pulled off two Sheva Brochos -- one in the synagogue Friday nite, and another after Shabbos.

What I didn't know until the guests of honor stepped in, was that her parents were making her a reception, kind of like a second wedding at the same time, and they had slipped out in order to do this -- thus Sheindel is in her wedding gown, while we are eating on paper plates!

Also by way of explanation, once a Jewish woman is married, out of modesty, she should cover her hair, which is the reason for her hair covering.

*In Judaism, there is a special commandment for a bride and groom to rejoice together for the week following their wedding, during which time the newlyweds are treated like a royal couple. They don't go to work and are even escorted everywhere by an "honor-guard"!

During this week, a series of small festive get-togethers are held in honor of them, which are called Sheva Brachos (“seven benedictions”), referring to the seven blessings recited following the Grace After Meals, over a cup of wine. These are the same blessings recited under the chupah (marriage canopy,) mainly consisting of requests for G-d’s blessing for the newlywed couple.