The theme of this year’s Ten Yad Auction is “Weddings.” You might think that we chose this theme because weddings are what our organization is all about. Yes, that’s true, of course. But we specifically chose to focus on weddings this year because they are the basis, the backbone, and the raison d’être of the Jewish people.

Why are weddings so important?

Some say that the most important aspect of a wedding is that it sanctifies the bond between a husband and a wife. Others say that its prime importance lies in bringing children into the world.

According to the Zohar, however, a wedding represents the highest form of unity that can be achieved in this world. The reason for this is that husband and wife are, in their essence, one neshamah. When their soul descends into this world, it is divided in two: one half for the future husband and the other half for the future wife.

Only under the chuppah can these “long-lost” halves reunite, allowing the neshamah to once again become whole.

Hashem and the Jewish People

The text of the betrothal blessing reads, “…He Who sanctifies His nation, Israel, through chuppah and kiddushin.” From this we see that Hashem is considered the “husband,” while the Jewish people are considered His “wife.”

Indeed, our Sages say that Hashem betrothed the Jewish people at Har Sinai, while the wedding day occurred on Mattan Torah.

Therefore, the bond between husband and wife is essentially a metaphor for, and rooted in, the bond between Hashem and the Jewish people. Just as our union and attachment to Hashem is truly absolute and one, the spiritual and soul aspect of marriage reflects the quality of complete wholeness and oneness.

Under the chuppah, bride and groom are blessed that their wedding be similar to the wedding of Hashem and the Jewish people. Just as Hashem and the Jews were so united at their “chuppah” that it is impossible to separate them, we pray and bless the couple that they build a home in which both feel they are truly one as a result of their unique and singular neshamah.

Hachnosas Kallah:
One of Hashem’s Most Precious Mitzvos

So every wedding between a husband and a wife is a reflection of Hashem’s holy marriage with us.

If it were in your hands, how would you treat Hashem’s kallah? Would you let her go to her chuppah without everything she needed to make her feel like a queen? And if every individual kallah is a counterpart of the Jewish people, how should she be treated? Can any one of us stand by and let her go to her chuppah depressed, impoverished, and despondent simply because she and her family lack the funds for her wedding and the basics of her Jewish home?

When we strengthen the beautiful beginnings of a Jewish couple by insuring that they have what they need to marry and start their home with dignity and joy, we actually strengthen our bond with Hashem and bring our ultimate home with Him in the complete and final Redemption that much closer.

The Role of Ten Yad

For over twenty-five years, Ten Yad has been committed to providing needy kallahs with the necessities of a beautiful wedding and the essentials of a new home. She is provided a gorgeous bridal gown, a sheitel, flowers for the wedding, money toward the band, and all the essentials of starting a Jewish home, including two sets of dishes, quality flatware, and pots and pans; and towels and linens. If some heart-rending circumstance has made her less fortunate, is she any less deserving of beginning her binyan adei ad a queen?

Tzedakah is considered the ultimate mitzvah, and hachnosas kallah is one of its highest expressions. In the merit of all our good deeds and charitable acts, may we all participate in the ultimate chassunah of Hashem and the Jewish people with Moshiach Tzidkeinu immediately.