Veiling

Q: Why does a bride wear a veil at a wedding?

A: The idea of wearing a veil wends back to Mother Rebecca.  She covered her face with a veil when she first met her husband-to-be, Isaac.  We continue to follow her act of modesty to this day.

Another source indicates that the bride requires a special protection on the day of her wedding.  As she may be susceptible to the “evil eye” she wears a veil offering her protection.

Incidentally, pagan and medieval societies had the noxious practice of premier nuit, when the bride was obliged to spend the first night with the local warlord.  Covering the bride’s face may have deceived the authorities into believing she had been previously married, fooling the local fiefdom that she was not a virgin.

The reason most often cited for the veil is that Mother Leah was substituted for her sister on the night of her betrothal to Father Jacob.  The switch was done in the darkest tent.  So that we make sure the bride is the real intended one (read: Rachel, not Leah) she dons a veil and just before the ceremony reveals herself to the groom.

A Ring

Q: Why is a ring traditionally presented to the bride?

In the Talmudic era the sages declared that the groom must present something of value to the bride in order for their wedding to be binding.  It was likely a coin.  As time passed, people drilled a hole in the coin so that they would not be easily lost or spent.

A: The coin (with its hole) was probably then worn as a necklace or ring.  As yet more time passed it became custom that what was transferred from groom to bride was a ring.

The ring is preferred because of its roundness indicating the never-ending circle of life and love.  Many are the highs an lows of life but all things pass and, on the balance, life is good.