Wedding in Tzfas

Yay! So, blogger and friend Mindy is now a married woman! She's Bad4's NMF #16, I think. And, I shlepped myself, NBD, and Mr. NMF up to Tzfas in order to witness the new home in Israel being made.

Now, Mindy is a special, glorious, and amazing person- and she got married to a wonderful, special guy as well. So, I knew this wedding was going to be something 'different'. And, getting married in Tzfas of all places (since that's where her husband's yeshiva is) would make this something not to be missed.

It was beautiful. The neighborhood got together and made the simcha truly special. Nothing could be prettier than their outdoor chuppa under the stars, with all of the friends singing away. The kallah was radiant in her element, full of joy and laughter. Everyone knew everyone, the wedding itself was made up of gifts and generosity from the Tzfas community, and everyone just had a grand old time.

Music was a little loud though- it took me till the next morning to get the ringing out of my ears. The food was catered by friends and neighbors- pot luck and DELICIOUS. It must have tasted as good as the shtetl weddings of old, since home cooked food is always better than the standard chicken and salad. No one felt out of place, and the hall in Tzfas had just enough room for everyone- as if it kept expanding every time another friend showed up.

So, I'm wishing Mindy and her husband much happiness as they embark on their life together. Just visit me in Yerushalayim sometime, okay?

Check Out My Wedding

Go head on over to the Jewish Wedding Info to see a glimpse of what my wedding was like. I guest posted there.
It's interesting- I've never posted on anyone else's site before- so I'm wondering who would read it, who would think it's overrated, or what comments it would generate. After all, a site like the Jewish Wedding Info gets a lot more hits than plain old Israel Chronicles!

So check it out, and let me know what you think!

A Lebedik Time

Weddings are beautiful- no matter where the country/city/hall is....but Eretz Yisroel chasunas (weddings) have a special flavor all their own.
I've been to weddings all over the United States, but Israel's weddings have a certain 'lebedik' flavor all their own.

Some of my friends have had their weddings in Bnai Brak- and in the furnishings and the music, there was no difference between that and a wedding at a hall in Williamsburg, NY.
In Yerushalayim, there is no actual 'music' at a wedding, due to mourning the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash (holy Temple), but there usually is one instrument- the drums, and some vocals.

I attended a wedding today- simply beautiful. The kallah (bride) looked radiant, and all the men sang together (since it was in Yerushalyim, so no music) as they walked the chasan (groom) down to place the veil on her head.

The chuppah (wedding canopy) was outside, like all Eretz Yisroel weddings, which was a distinct contrast to the US, where some chuppahs are outside, and some indoors, usually under a skylight. You could see the inky black sky of Yerushalayim, complete with the buses heading back and forth during the duration of the ceremony.

The dancing was lively and lebedik. In Israel, weddings are very casual, and sometimes many people show up, often times not invited, and most people aren't dressed that fancily.

But, it doesn't matter- because the whole point is to be 'Mesameach Chasan V'Kallah"- gladden the bride and the groom. People can be squished, the dance floor could be tiny, and there are beautiful little children running around. But there's a true simcha, a true happiness all around, celebrating the building of this new home in Israel- this Bayis Ne'eman.

No one really cared what was served, or which flowers were on the table (although this wedding had stunning lily arrangements)- all that mattered was sharing this happy night with both families.

I have seen weddings where an orphan is wed, and close to 300 people have shown up- not that they know the bride or groom, but just to join in and make them happy.
I have seen weddings where there is no room to breathe, but more keep coming in, and performing the most amazing tricks and 'shtick' to make the bride and groom smile.
Eretz Yisroel is truly phenomenal, and their weddings exemplify that- true simcha.