Chesed by Rejoicing With the Bride and Groom Printed with permission from "The Chesed Boomerang" by Jack Doueck www.judaicapress.com The Rabbis consider the mitzvah of giving joy to the newlywed couple among the hundreds of Jewish customs that are essentially "Chesed (kindness) Customs." Scripture (II Kings 9:36) tells us about the wicked Queen Jezebel, wife of Ahab, who convinced him to kill Navot, an innocent man, and to worship idols. According to Jewish tradition, she was ultimately punished by being devoured by dogs. Yet, when they wanted to bury her, only her skull and heels were found. The Rabbis say that these limbs were left intact because she used her feet to dance and her head to nod in honor of brides. The Talmud (Berachot 6b) tells us, "whoever gladdens the bridegroom is privileged to acquire Torah, and it is considered as if he had sacrificed a thanksgiving offering in the Temple or as if he had rebuilt one of the ruins of Jerusalem." Return to 'Our Tradition' Menu