Question:

Rabbi, my brother in law is getting married in Florida this weekend....his future wife asked me 2 terms that I am not sure of, can you tell me what ERUSIN and NISUIN mean ? Thank you.....

Answer:

Erusin and Nisuin are the technical rabbinic terms for the two parts of a Jewish wedding. The reason we have two cups of wine at Jewish wedding is that at one time these were two different ceremonies done at two different times that have become fused into one. Erusin is technically the engagement – the blessing over the first cup of wine binds bride and groom to one another and forbids them to all others. This is when the ring is given and the declaration "Harey at" "By this ring you are consecrated to me, as my wife, in accordance with the laws of Moses and the people of Israel" is recited. Often today we then read from the Ketubah to separate the two parts of the ceremony. Part II is Nisuin this is the part that needs to be done under the Chuppah and with the second cup of wine we recite the Sheva Brachot, the seven wedding benedictions.