Page 44 - HaMizrachi #8 Pesach

Yaniv ISRAELI

ANSWERS! WEDDINGS

Editor’s note: Our resident, totally unofficial Israeli guide brings you insights into a lighter side of the Israeli
experience you won’t likely find in the usual news sources. Yaniv will also respond to readers’ questions and
observations (non-halachic of course). He can be reached at yaniv@mizrachi.org. Enjoy!

Dear Yaniv:I was invited, for the first mortgaging their other, younger children wedding is what the young couple will
time, to attend a wedding in Israel. Is – are attended by three major groups: use to pay the bill for the hall! As to how
there anything special about them that the Chatan’s side, the Kallah’s side, and much is appropriate to give, I phone the
I should know? those who heard about the event and venue first to find out how much each
just want to drop in for a free meal,
ear Unsuspecting Wedding- music and dancing. Oh, and I should plate costs, and then write my check
Goer: First, Mazal Tov! It’s a warn you that in Israel, lots of – shall accordingly; naturally, I wait until after
D special zechut (merit) to see we diplomatically call them indigent the main course to make my decision!
two Israelis marry, especially when the entrepreneurs – may very well be on
wedding is in Israel! hand to finance their own upcoming Israeli weddings are long – many start
Now, the first thing you should family nuptials. only after 9 pm – and they are raucous,
fun and wildly celebratory. I think
understand is that Israeli weddings are And don’t be put off by the clothes these events let Israelis release all their
LOUD. I mean REALLY loud! I suggest people are wearing. Israel does not know
that to prepare yourself, you stand as from Black Tie – unless it actually means pent-up stress in a burst of Jewish energy
close as possible to a 747 jet revving its just that, a black tie (which goes well that lifts the Chatan and Kalla to heights
engines, while operating a jack-hammer with their black suit and white shirt). of ecstasy. Anything goes, particularly
and listening to Satan and the Sadists Black tie optional, of course, would make on the dance floor. Jugglers, fire-eaters,
playing heavy-metal “music” on your costumes of every kind. I have seen a
earphones! That will give you some sense, except that tuxedos in Israel are as person dressed as a gorilla, and a gorilla
idea of the decibel level – and that’s only rare as standing ovations for Israel at the dressed as a person. I think the operative
during the chupa! I have seen people UN. In general, the dress code at Israeli
at Israeli weddings wearing heavy fur weddings is more of a “come-as-you- objective is that if the couple can survive
ear muffs – in August! – and sensory- are” motif, even if you’re coming from the wedding dances, they can pretty
deprivation helmets to drown out the playing at a soccer game or swimming much survive anything that will come
sound. So don’t be put off if people keep in the Kinneret. Bottom line: you will their way.
saying, s’licha? (excuse me?) to you when not feel out of place, no matter what you
you speak to them at the meal – they just wear – unless it’s formal! This, by the So do your very best to make some
can’t hear you! way, also goes for the Chatan, who often successful shidduchim for our young
can be spotted as the one wearing the people. You’ll be doing one of the
Next thing to point out is that Israeli new gym shoes. greatest mitzvot there is and, for a
weddings are BIG! By big I mean of the
stadium, airplane-hanger size variety; As for presents, well, if you were bonus, you’ll probably be invited to the
anything under 500 guests is considered thinking of bringing a toaster or a wedding! Just remember, bring good
an intimate private family affair. Indeed, microwave, forget it. Most Israeli dancing shoes – and lots of cash.
a very popular wedding venue in Israel weddings today don’t even have a
actually is a hanger! These gargantuan container for gifts. Money is the first Feel free to send me any other
weddings – please do not ask me how and pretty much only choice. In fact, in perplexing questions you have:
families can afford them without many cases, the cash that comes in at the yaniv@mizrachi.org

44