Babylonian Talmud Ketubot 8a: The Marriage Benedictions

Greco-Roman Period
The benedictions ordained by Rabbinic tradition for the marriage celebration, recited both at the wedding and throughout the week following, express the notion that marriage reflects the ideal state of the Garden of Eden and of the messianic era.

1 Blessed are You Lord, our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the
vine.

2 Blessed are You Lord, our God, King of the universe, Who has created everything
for His glory.

3 Blessed are You Lord, our God, King of the universe, Creator of humanity.

4 Blessed are You Lord, our God, King of the universe, Who has created man in His
image, in the image of the likeness of His form, and prepared for him from himself an
eternal building. 146 Blessed are You, Lord, Creator of Man.

5 Bring intense joy and exultation to the Barren One (Zion) through the gathering of her
children to her midst in joy. Blessed are You, Lord, who causes Zion to rejoice in her
children.

6 Gladden greatly the beloved lovers, as You gladdened Your creation in the Garden of
Eden in ancient times. Blessed are You, Lord, who gladdens the groom and the bride.

7 Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who created joy and gladness,
groom and bride, delight, singing, dance, happiness, love, companionship, peace and
friendship. Speedily, O Lord our God, may there be heard in the cities of Judah and in the
streets of Jerusalem, the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the voice of the groom
and the voice of the bride, the sound of the celebrating of grooms from their wedding
canopies, and of young men from their feasting and singing. Blessed are You, Lord, who
gladdens the groom and the bride.

145. Trans. S. Berrin.

146. That is, woman from man’s rib (Gen. 2-21-24).