Torah

Question: Should the chupah take place outside and under the stars?

Short Answer: Ideally, yes, the chupah should take place outside and under the stars, as this was minhag Ashkenaz. However, various Acharonim, as well as Sefardim, are not makpid to observe this custom.

Question: Should a minyan with a chasan getting married later that day recite Tachanun?

Short Answer: While the chasan should not recite Tachanun, some poskim require the minyan to recite Tachanun, especially if the chupah is not until after sh’kiah. However, the minhag has developed to not recite Tachanun.

Question: Should ashes be placed on the forehead of the chasan at the chupah?

 Short Answer: Yes, but some replace this remembrance to the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash with the breaking of a glass under the chupah. There is a dispute when the ashes should be placed on the chasan’s head, and for how long they should remain there. 

Question: Must a chasan and kallah fast on their wedding day?

Short Answer: While Ashkenazim follow the Rama that a chasan and kallah fast on their wedding day, some Sefardim do not fast. Further, certain poskim rule that only the chasan and not the kallah should fast.

Question: Who should walk the chasan and kallah down the aisle to the chupah?

Short Answer: The Rama cites the minhag for the fathers of the chasan and kallah to walk down the chasan, and the mothers of the chasan and kallah to walk down the kallah. While others have the minhag that the parents of the chasan walk down the chasan and the parents of the kallah walk down the kallah, the main thing is for there to be no fighting over this unimportant issue.

Question: Two mourners are reciting Kaddish at different speeds. How should you answer Amen to their Kaddish?

 Short Answer: Although others disagree, the Mishnah B’rurah rules that if the two mourners are within “toch k’dei dibur” – three or four words from each other – then you may answer Amen to whichever mourner you want, and this will count for both of them. However, if they are more than three or four words apart, then you should answer Amen separately to both of them.