)
Nissuin, the step that finalizes the marriage, takes place when the bride and groom stand under the ĥuppa, and the rabbi and other honorees recite the seven blessings (sheva berakhot). Because nissuin is so important, an additional cup of wine is poured, which each honoree holds while reciting a blessing.
We begin the sheva berakhot with general praises of God relating to creation. We proceed with more specific praises of God, and finally we offer good wishes to the bride and groom. The first of the seven blessings is the standard blessing over the wine, which expresses the joy of the wedding. The second blessing praises God for creation in general. The third blessing relates to the creation of humanity. The fourth blessing specifies that God created the human being in His image and divided this being into male and female. Having originally been created as one allows them to reunite lovingly and build “a building for eternity,” meaning to procreate. Before turning to the bride and groom, we cannot forget the Land of Israel. It is waiting for its exiles to return, like a lonely woman waiting for the return of her children. Therefore, the fifth blessing asks that just as God brings joy to the bride and groom, He should bring comfort and cheer to the Land of Israel by joyously gathering in its people. This leads into the sixth blessing, where we ask God to bring joy to the bride and groom, just as He did to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. In the seventh and longest blessing, we praise God for creating joy, and we pray for the redemption of the cities of Judea and Jerusalem. We ask that “the sounds of joy and gladness, the sounds of the bridegroom and bride, the joyous sounds of bridegrooms from their wedding canopy, and of young people at their feasts of song” be heard in these cities once more. This blessing concludes by returning to the couple: “Blessed are You, Lord, Who makes the bridegroom rejoice with the bride.” The bride and groom then sip the wine. Saying sheva berakhot under the ĥuppa is the primary fulfillment of nissuin.
The conclusion of nissuin takes place when the newlyweds are alone with each other. This demonstrates they have begun their married life together. Ashkenazic custom is for the couple to be escorted immediately after the ĥuppa to a “ĥeder yiĥud” (seclusion room), where they are left alone for several minutes. They eat there, and then come out to celebrate with their guests. Sephardic custom is for the seclusion to wait until the couple go home after the wedding.
