Yitzchak greets his bride
In Parshas Chayei Sarah, we see the the details of a wedding for the first time in Tanach. Obviously, there were couples married before Yitzchak and Rivka, but theirs is the first one to show the Erusin / Kiddushin and Nesuin. Eliezer serves as Yitzchak's agent in betrothing Rivka. While we give a ring, he bestows on her the nose ring, and two bracelets. (24:22) . When her parents and brother suggest a delay of the traditional year-long engagement, or at least 10 months, Eliezer insists he must proceed immediately. Rivka affirms her commitment in the single word, "elech" [I will go] (24:55-56,58).
When their caravan of camels approach the field where Yitzchak is, Rivka sees him and asks Eliezers "who is that man, there , who walks in the field toward us?" Eliezer replies that he is his master. Rivka then covers herself with her scarf" (24: 64-65) The last verse is the source for bridal veils. Rivka covered her face as she was approaching nesuin with Yitzchak.
This was her trip down the aisle, so to speak. Her groom then came out to greet her and escort her into the chuppah, which was an actual home.
The commentator, Hakethav Vehakabala explains that Yitzchak was, in fact, going out to greet his bride. He was sensitive to the fact that she was coming away from her family to become his wife and wanted to show her a warm welcome and honor.. That is why he left his usual dwelling place in the south to the area of Be'er Lechay Roee, and then walked out into the field toward the path that travellers would traverse on the way from Charan. That way he was sure to see his bride and be able to escort the rest of the way. Like the grooms who come out from the chuppah to escort their brides in, Yitzchak borought Rivka to the tent of Sarah his mother to make her his wife (24:67).
When their caravan of camels approach the field where Yitzchak is, Rivka sees him and asks Eliezers "who is that man, there , who walks in the field toward us?" Eliezer replies that he is his master. Rivka then covers herself with her scarf" (24: 64-65) The last verse is the source for bridal veils. Rivka covered her face as she was approaching nesuin with Yitzchak.
This was her trip down the aisle, so to speak. Her groom then came out to greet her and escort her into the chuppah, which was an actual home.
The commentator, Hakethav Vehakabala explains that Yitzchak was, in fact, going out to greet his bride. He was sensitive to the fact that she was coming away from her family to become his wife and wanted to show her a warm welcome and honor.. That is why he left his usual dwelling place in the south to the area of Be'er Lechay Roee, and then walked out into the field toward the path that travellers would traverse on the way from Charan. That way he was sure to see his bride and be able to escort the rest of the way. Like the grooms who come out from the chuppah to escort their brides in, Yitzchak borought Rivka to the tent of Sarah his mother to make her his wife (24:67).
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