Bedeken (Veiling of the Bride)
Legend has it that this tradition, which means “checking,” dates back to Biblical times, when Jacob was tricked by his father-in-law Laban. Jacob was presented with an already-veiled bride; he discovered only after the ceremony that she was not his intended bride, Rachel, but instead her sister, Leah. Often we will include Veiling of the Bride either immediately following the Ketubah signing, or as part of the processional to the Chuppah. By checking under the veil, the groom indicates that he is sanctifying the bride to be his wife.
Filed in: Ceremony