Circling - Origins and Meaning

As a wedding rabbi for interfaith couples, I help my brides and grooms carefully think through all the Jewish wedding rituals and customs so that their Jewish-interfaith ceremony will be the best reflection of them as a couple, and of the traditions they hold dear.

The circling ritual is just one of those things that almost everyone associates with a Jewish wedding. Yet, about half my couples opt out of circling under the chuppah. Let’s take a look at the roots of this custom.