Getting married under The Chuppah

In a captivating letter, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, may his memory be a blessing, references the Zohar tradition, which views marriage as the union of two complementary parts of the same soul rather than identical halves. The sages note the inherent qualities of the male and female, with the male as the “conqueror” and the female as the “foundation of the home.” When these soul parts unite, they embark on a fulfilling journey, building a harmonious and balanced home. When God sought a dwelling place, He created the world in six days, designating the seventh day as a holy day of rest, symbolizing completion and holiness in time and space. Therefore, when a couple establishes a home and begins a “full life,” it is fitting for the marriage ceremony to reflect this symbolism. The significance of the seven circuits becomes clear. The groom, representing the initiator of the union, takes the central role in the new Jewish home by being the first under the chuppah. The bride circling the groom signifies the creation of their private world within the external world, with her future husband at its core. Her seven circuits symbolize the establishment of a lasting edifice, guided by her role as the “foundation of the home,” enduring throughout time. When she completes the circuits, she stands alongside her future husband at the circle’s center. With the preparations for their home complete, both husband and wife become the center, surrounded by the protective walls she has metaphorically built around their home.