Quick Answer
What is kiddushin?
Kiddushin (also called erusin) is the betrothal and sanctification stage of a Jewish wedding, in which the groom gives the bride an object of value — traditionally a plain gold ring — in front of two witnesses while reciting a formal declaration. Historically a separate legal act from nissuin (the marriage itself), the two are combined into a single ceremony under the chuppah today.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What is kiddushin?
Also called: erusin, the betrothal ceremony.
Kiddushin is the legal core of a Jewish wedding ceremony — the moment the groom hands the bride a ring and says the words that formally begin the marriage under Jewish law. Historically, kiddushin and nissuin were two separate ceremonies, sometimes performed up to a year apart; today nearly all Jewish weddings combine them into one ceremony under the chuppah, but the kiddushin ring-giving moment remains its own distinct, legally significant step within it.
What happens during kiddushin
The groom gives the bride an object of value, traditionally a plain gold band without stones or engravings so its worth is unambiguous to the two required witnesses. While placing it on her finger, he recites a declaration — traditionally "Harei at mekudeshet li b'taba'at zo, k'dat Moshe v'Yisrael" ("Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel"). This act, witnessed and accepted, constitutes the legal betrothal.
- •Requires two eligible witnesses, distinct from any witnesses used for the ketubah signing.
- •The ring is traditionally plain gold, without stones, to keep its value unambiguous for the legal act.
- •Many egalitarian ceremonies today include a parallel ring exchange and declaration from the bride to the groom as well.
Planning notes
- •Confirm with your officiant in advance whether the traditional Aramaic declaration, an egalitarian version, or both will be used.
- •If following tradition closely, source a plain band without stones for this part of the ceremony, even if the couple's everyday rings are more elaborate.
- •Line up your two witnesses ahead of time — they need to be adults not closely related to the couple.
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See RSVP tracking →Frequently Asked Questions
Is kiddushin the same as the wedding ceremony?
It is one part of it — historically a separate legal step from nissuin (the marriage proper), the two are now performed together as a single ceremony under the chuppah in nearly all Jewish weddings.
Why is the ring traditionally plain gold with no stones?
So that its monetary value is clear and unambiguous to the witnesses, since the legal act of kiddushin depends on the object given having a recognizable, uncontested worth.
Do both partners exchange rings during kiddushin?
Traditionally only the groom gives a ring, but many modern and egalitarian ceremonies include a parallel exchange, with the bride giving the groom a ring and reciting her own declaration.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated