Providing a Bride with All her Needs -- the Mitzvah of Hachnassat Kallah

The mitzvah of Hachnassat Kallah (providing for a bride) is a special commandment involving accompanying and rejoicing with the bride and groom on their way to the chuppah (marriage canopy). This mitzvah also includes providing financial assistance to help them with their wedding preparations.

Hachnassat Kallah is a positive commandment of Rabbinic origin as we find in the Talmud:

"Rabbi Elazar said: What is meant by the verse, 'He has told you, O man, what is good, and what Hashem requires of you: only to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God' (Micah 6:8)? 'To do justice' -- this refers to judgment; 'to love kindness' -- this refers to acts of loving-kindness; 'and to walk humbly with your God' -- this refers to attending to the dead and escorting a bride to the chuppah" (Tractate Sukkah 49b).

In the morning prayers we recite a paragraph from the Mishnah referring to this mitzvah as among those for which one receives a reward both in this world and the next:

"These are the things for which a person enjoys the fruits in this world while the principal remains for the World to Come: honoring one's father and mother, performing acts of kindness, arriving early at the study hall morning and evening, hosting guests, visiting the sick, providing for a bride, accompanying the dead, concentration in prayer, making peace between a person and his fellow man and between husband and wife. And the study of Torah is equal to them all combined."

It should be noted that the mitzvah "not to afflict orphans and widows" includes within it the mitzvah of providing for an orphaned bride. The Torah specifically commands us to avoid causing pain or harm to orphans and widows, and to provide them with all necessary support. When we assist an orphaned bride with her wedding preparations, we not only fulfill the mitzvah of Hachnassat Kallah but also the broader commandment of caring for orphans and widows.

The Essence of the Mitzvah

The mitzvah includes escorting the bride to the chuppah, rejoicing at the wedding, and providing financial support for all the wedding preparations.

Hachnassat Kallah Funds

The mitzvah of Hachnassat Kallah also includes providing financially for new couples, especially those in  special need. The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) emphasizes the importance of this mitzvah, stating, "They should help poor maidens marry, for there is no greater charity than this" (Yoreh De'ah 249:15).

In many Jewish communities, charitable institutions and funds have been established for this purpose, to ensure that every couple can begin their life together on the right foot.

Accompanying the Bride to the Chuppah

In the Talmudic period, it was customary to escort the bride from her father's house to the chuppah or to the groom's house. Today, this custom is expressed by accompanying the groom to cover the bride's face with the veil.

The mitzvah of Hachnassat Kallah also includes participating in the joy and dancing at the wedding. It is customary to sing, dance, and rejoice with the bride, as the Babylonian Talmud states: "Anyone who enjoys a wedding feast and does not gladden the groom transgresses five voices, as it is said: 'The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those saying, 'Give thanks to Hashem of hosts.' And if one gladdens him, what is his reward? Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: He merits the Torah which was given with five voices" (Berachot 6b).

"Five voices" is a Talmudic concept referring to the rejoicing of the bride and groom. One who gladdens the bride and groom merits the five voices heard at Mount Sinai. One who enjoys a wedding feast and does not gladden them negates the five voices mentioned by the Prophet Jeremiah.

'It Has the Power to Save Lives'

Rabbi Chaim Kreiswirth served as the rabbi of the "Machzikei Hadas" community in Antwerp for half a century. Even as a young boy, he was dedicated to performing acts of kindness.

When Rabbi Kreiswirth was 70 years old, he became very ill, and the doctors gave up hope for his recovery. When he told the Steipler (Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky) about the doctors' grim prognosis, the Steipler advised him to engage in Hachnassat Kallah, explaining: "Every morning we read, 'These are the things that have no measure.' 'Hachnassat Kallah' is written between 'visiting the sick' and 'accompanying the dead,' and from here we learn that the mitzvah of Hachnassat Kallah has the power to save even a person who is on the verge of death."

Upon hearing the Steipler's words, Rabbi Kreiswirth increased the amount of support he gave to every bride who asked for his assistance, giving enormous sums. And indeed, he recovered from his illness.

Practical Examples of Fulfilling the Mitzvah

The mitzvah of Hachnassat Kallah can be fulfilled in many ways. Here are several practical examples:

* Financial Assistance: Organize and donate to fundraising campaigns for couples with limited means, so they can have a respectable wedding and start to married life. Donate furniture, household items, or appliances, new or second-hand, to couples who need them.

* Help with Wedding Preparations: Assist the couple in planning the event, including finding a venue, a caterer, and a photographer. Help with the event itself, such as with the flower arrangements, table settings, and so forth.

* Emotional Support: Ensure that the young couple has all the help and advice they need in various areas such as budget management, dealing with stress, and maintaining healthy married life. Organize marriage preparation courses that will prepare the couple for their life together.

* Rejoice with the Bride and Groom: Organize joyful events for the couple such as Shabbat Chatan, engagement parties, and so forth. Participate fully in these events to bring joy to the couple.

* Assistance on the Wedding Day: Recruit volunteers to help on the wedding day itself with anything necessary. Offer help with transportation to the wedding venue.

* Ongoing Support: Invite the couple to study evenings, Torah classes, and family gatherings to support them even after the wedding.

The mitzvah of Hachnassat Kallah essentially involves giving a young couple the best possible start to married life. Participate in growing the Jewish People!