Talbis

​

A Yemenite Jewish wedding custom specific only to the community of Aden is the Talbis, revolving around the groom. A number of special songs are sung by the men while holding candles, and the groom is dressed in a golden garment.

​

Mitzvah-Tanz

​

There is an old Hassidic custom to have a Mitzvah-Tanz (Yiddish for Mitzvah dance) to conclude the wedding celebration. Performed by a Badchen (Yiddish for jester) who introduces the great rabbis and closest male family members of the bride and groom's families to the bride and invites them to dance with the bride. The introduction is traditionally made by singing in rhyming verse, emphasising the good traits and deeds of the person, invoking the merits of his ancestors, and prayers to God, interspersed with wit and humour, and blessings for the success of the newly weds and good wishes for their future together.

The highlight and final introduction is when the groom is asked to take his new bride and they dance together.

We pray for their welfare and ask God to be so moved by this holy dance that He shall yearn to marry His bride - us, the Jewish people - and rebuild a home with us in Jerusalem.

​