Answers to Jewish Questions

Headstone engraved with a Star of David with small stones on top

What is the Jewish expression to refer to someone who has died?

Answered by

Rabbi Julie Zupan

In Judaism, when someone has died, it is customary to add the expression, “May their memory be for a blessing” after mentioning the deceased by name. In Hebrew, the expression is “zichrona livracha” (feminine, “zichrono livracha” (masculine), or “zichronam livracha” (plural or gender-neutral) and is typically abbreviated as z”l when writing. This serves a similar function as describing someone as “the late [insert name here].” Alternatively, the honorifics “aleha hashalom” (feminine) or “hashalom alav” (masculine)

What is a Sukkah?

A sukkah is a temporary, hut-like dwelling built during the holiday of Sukkot. (In fact, the word sukkot is the plural of sukkah.)

Is a bride at a Jewish wedding required to wear a veil?

Answered by

Rabbi Bonnie Koppell

Thought it was once common for Jewish brides to be veiled, today's brides have several options.

What’s the Hebrew word for the wedding ceremony?

Ketubah, or wedding contract, with wedding bands

Kiddushin, the Hebrew word for the Jewish wedding ritual, means “holiness.” The word has the same linguistic root as kadosh, meaning “holy.”

Who can sign our ketubah? How should we pick our witnesses?

In Reform Judaism, witnesses may be of any gender, above b’nei mitzvah age (13 or older), and customarily, identify as Jewish, although some clergy permit individuals from other backgrounds and faiths to serve as ketubah witnesses. Some clergy also will allow additional witnesses, so you can honor three or even four friends as witnesses.

Does my wedding ring have to be plain gold or can it be a diamond band instead?

Married couple holding hands, wearing wedding bands

If you have a wedding ring in mind that you’d like to use in lieu of a solid gold or silver band, you should speak with your officiant about choosing the type of ring (or rings) that best suit you, your relationship, and your custom.

I was asked to be a ketubah witness at my friend’s wedding. What do I need to know?

Ketubah with gold rings and purple border

The wedding partners honor two friends by asking them to sign the document as witnesses. Usually, the witnesses are expected to sign their names in Hebrew. If you aren’t sure how to do that, ask the wedding couple for guidance and they can speak with their clergy about how to make that work.