Chapter 146 : Chapter 146 The Fast of the Bridegroom and Bride

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§1

It is customary that the bridegroom and the bride fast on their wedding day because on that day their sins are forgiven. They should say Aneinu¹See Chapter 19. at Minchah as on other fast days. In our area it is customary that they fast only until after the marriage ceremony.²It is best that they state before starting the fast, that they are fasting only until the marriage ceremony. (Mishnah Berurah 562:12). If the ceremony is delayed till the night, then, after the stars appear, they may eat something, provided they do not drink any intoxicating beverages.

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§2

On Rosh Chodesh, on the day after Shavuos,³Mishnah Berurah 573:7 rules that there is no difference between the day after Shavuos and the day after Pesach or Sukkos. Also see Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:14 that this fast does not take place on the day after Pesach and Sukkos. on the fifteenth day of the month of Av, on the fifteenth day of the month of Shevat, and also on Chanukah and on Shushan Purim, they do not fast. But in the month of Nissan, even on Rosh Chodesh (Nissan) they do fast. And so too on the thirty-third day of the Omer,⁴See Chapter 120. and on the days between Rosh Chodesh Sivan and Shavuos, and on the days between Yom Kippur and Sukkos, they fast.⁵Rama 573:1. Mishnah Berurah cites those poskim who are lenient and who rule that they need not fast on any day Tachnun is not said.

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§3

On the days they do not fast, they must be careful not to indulge in excessive food and drink; and certainly they must be very careful to abstain from intoxicating beverages. (For some authorities say the very reason for the fast is because we are concerned they may become intoxicated and their minds would not be lucid).

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§4

The bridegroom and the bride must conduct themselves with utmost sanctity when they enter the chupah, and they should repent on that day. They should search [review] their deeds from the day of their birth until this day, and they should confess [their sins,] and seek forgiveness, pardon, and atonement from Hashem, Blessed is He. They should confess and forsake (their evil ways). Their absolute remorse should emanate from a contrite heart. They should firmly resolve from this day onward to serve Hashem honestly and sincerely, and to be holy and pure. They should then enter the chupah and pray that the Holy one, Blessed is He, rest His Divine Presence between them, as our Sages of blessed memory said, "A husband and wife, (if deserving), the Divine Presence is between them."⁶Maseches Sotah 17a. It is customary for them to say the confession at the Minchah prayer as is done the day before Yom Kippur.