The Ketubah, or marriage contract, must be signed before the wedding can begin. The rabbi explains the terms of the Ketubah to the groom. Via a symbolic act of holding the corner of a handkerchief which the rabbi extends to him, the groom agrees to be bound by the terms of the Ketubah. Then the witnesses sign this marriage contract.

The Ketubah specifies the mutual obligations of the bride and groom. At one time, this marriage contract gave the bride important legal protection.

Today, the purpose of the Ketubah is to remind the couple of their moral responsibilities to each other. "Be my wife in accordance with the law of Moses and Israel. I wil

l work for you; I will honor, support and maintain you, as it becomes Jewish husbands who work for their

wives, honoring and supporting them faithfully...."

Before the wedding ceremony itself begins, some grooms will veil the bride in a ceremony called Badeken.

This is always an exciting part of the wedding because it is traditional for the bride and groom not to have seen each other for 3-7 days prior to the wedding. After the groom covers the bride's face with the veil, she will continue to stay veiled until the Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot) are recited under the Chuppah.