Venue: UMJCA Sephardic Bet Midrash (Great Neck, NY) UMJCA Sephardic Bet Midrash (Great Neck, NY)

Halacha:

Even Haezer,  Kiddushin,  Sephardi Halacha,  Weddings 

References: Shulchan Aruch: Even HaEzer 55  

Description

Aiming to perform the Chuppah as close to Sheva Berachot as possible, Ashkenazim rush the couple from the canopy to a private room, called the “Yichud room,” where they are secluded and eat together. Sepharadim do not generally enter a Yichud room but, rather, wait until they go home after the wedding to be secluded. It was never their custom to have a Yichud room immediately following the Chuppah, and it’s also somewhat inappropriate. Though it has become commonplace for Sepharadim to perform a Yichud room, whether by choice or by peer pressure, one should understand that Sepharadic heritage is rich with tradition spanning generations, and fear of standing out in today’s society is no reason to let go and blend in.