Chuppah: Why the Tent?

The first model Jewish home.

by Charlie Harary

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Published: May 13, 2012

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Visitor Comments: 30

(25) Edwina, July 3, 2012 8:23 AM

The Chuppah

I have never in my life have seen or heard such a beautiful story or even ever seen a wonderful wedding , but i only know the story behind it, This truly beautiful please, keep the nice stories coming, because i always pray to go to Israel one day, I like stories like this one

(24) Ysnia, June 22, 2012 4:37 PM

Please tell me where did the wedding-video is taken? It looks very beautiful the location..

(23) Theresa, June 7, 2012 5:48 PM

A Must See Video!

Your fun upbeat personality with the blend of the beautiful scenic settings, captivated me. The duration of the video was timed perfectly, and the subject matter was of great interest. Thank you for sharing this video with us.

Bernie & Dottie, June 16, 2012 6:40 PM

Great video Thanks for setting all this up. You are both wonderful people to know and we wish you and your family health and happiness for many years to come . Shabbat Shalom

(22) david, June 7, 2012 1:11 AM

great one!

Charlie - This is one of your best videos!!! It is fantastic!!!! Well done. David

(21) Debbie, June 6, 2012 11:31 PM

Ma tovu ohalecha Yaakov!

The Jews in the desert were praised for all having doors facing different directions, so nobody could see into another family's home. The foundation of the Jewish home is tznius, privacy, modesty. Once we establish that we are allowed to be open & inviting to outsiders.

(20) Gershona, June 6, 2012 6:28 PM

nice explanation of the chupah, but.....................

This not only reinforces the negative stereotype that Jews complain, it also reinforces the stereotype that Jews don't like the outdoors, camping, roughing it, or most other physical or athletic activity. There are many Jews from all backgrounds who do it and love it, and not just the Israelis. While it is unfortunately true that most orthodox Jews don't do these things, there are many exceptions, including my husband and me, and many of our friends. We are orthodox and go backpacking, hiking, canoeing, wilderness camping, and bicycling. We are dismayed that more observant Jews don't do these things (witness the pot bellies on so many), but the fact is that some of us actually do care about our physical health and taking care of Hashem's precious gift of our bodies.

(19) Gavri Hanita Hazaka Abir Selek 2nd, June 6, 2012 3:15 PM

Carlie Harary

I now have listened to your voice speaking on a few other Jewish topic's as well as these.G-D has give you a marvelous gift. When you speak on topic's a [person like me get real interested on whatever topic you are speaking upon. I hear from you a very interested Jew who loves his nation, who loves his people, and who loves his land. I normally do not listen to hardly another person speak as interesting and as informative as you. G-D's gift to you is amazing I pray you use it offten for i'll enjoy hearing from you.

(18) Michal, June 6, 2012 2:01 PM

It's good to be reminded right in the beginning

A tent is not a house of stone, to stay there in eternity and the couple is reminded by the "Chuppa": Have this always in mind. We - from now on - are together on the move, like our forefathers in the desert. We are on the way though our life together, as long as God will allow us.We help each other on our way, and we also help others. A Jewish marriage is something very beaufiful.

(17) Anonymous, June 6, 2012 1:57 PM

TACKY

EXCASERBATES THE PUBLIC IMAGE OF JEWS "COMPLAINING"

gali, June 7, 2012 3:21 AM

Get over yourself!

I think that was the best line in the whole video- hilarious! Between you and me, you are not going to change an anti-Semite's ideas of Jews by trying to be "good." Be yourself and go buy some humor.

(16) SADIE GINDI, May 30, 2012 8:06 PM

I enjoyed it very much. I learned something today that I never knew before.Thank you for sharing .

(15) Ruth (Ana), May 30, 2012 7:14 PM

B"H - Architectural "Wonder"

Ha-Shem's entire blessing, I will woon have the joy to build my home, design on the acquitectural "wonder" of Abraham and Sarah. ...........................................................................................Very soon!

(14) Anonymous, May 29, 2012 1:51 PM

Camping for a lifetime

Nice photos, well camping life is demanding, there might happen some surprising things. The roof reminds me of the blessig of the parents hand above a childs head as I saw rabbi Amir Dadon to bless his daughter once. There was this great beauty and a feeling of bringing protection.

(13) Sachs, May 16, 2012 6:55 PM

When the haert is open the house is too

What a nice summary, I love it. We learned to have our home open to show that we love each other. It is this love which give us the power to survive all problems. Toda raba wekol hakawod

(12) Leah, May 15, 2012 5:37 PM

Gevaldig!

(11) Rebbetzin P. Weiss, May 15, 2012 2:39 PM

Fantastic!

Love all the comments so far! Thanks for a wonderful Dvar Torah. Posting on FB.

(10) Anonymous, May 14, 2012 5:33 PM

Brilliant

This is SO good! It should be the "a, b, c" of every couple about to take this wonderful step :)

(9) , May 14, 2012 2:19 PM

Don't forget the roof

Beautiful Charlie. One of the greatest things about the Jewish communities that I've been to is the welcoming atmosphere that you can almost always find. A Shabbos meal, even a place to stay or help finding a job, inevitably there is someone to help. I've seen this at every level of Judaism and it makes me proud to be a Jew. The one element I think you left out, however, was the roof over our heads. While our doors are always open, not everyone that walks through them may have the best of intentions. The kippah serves the same purpose as the roof, as do mezuzahs. No matter who walks through our doors, Hashem is always there to protects us. Abraham and Sarah knew this. When they were in a difficult situation and Avimelech would have taken Sarah as a wife, Hashem intervened by sending Avimelech a dream. Avimelech understood that Hashem is watching over them and that if he did anything to harm the family he would be in big trouble. This understanding carried down to the time Isaac had similar problems, and ended up on Avimelech's turf. As long as we remember that Hashem is watching over us to protect us, no matter who walks through our doors, Hashem can protect us. We just have to have faith and do our best to do what's right. May your doors always be open, and may any who enter be a source of blessings to you and your entire family.

susan wells, May 16, 2012 10:39 AM

Johnny Depp? seriously?

(8) lisa, May 13, 2012 9:10 PM

Open on all 4 sides......like our houses should be!!!

I wish someone would have said that at my wedding..it makes so much sense!!

(7) Yosef, May 13, 2012 4:32 PM

Thanks....

Your topics and explanation are always great--thanks again!

(6) Linda Levinson-Taylor, May 13, 2012 3:36 PM

Ahh....the roots of chuppa.

Happy Mother's Day to your lucky wife.

(5) Anonymous, May 13, 2012 3:32 PM

Thanks for the clarity on Chupa's Relevance

As always, fantastic!

(4) Anonymous, May 13, 2012 1:28 PM

My husband and I LOVE camping in an RV. Where else can you get a good hot kosher meal in the middle of the National Parks?

(3) Anonymous, May 13, 2012 11:31 AM

Beautiful

Whose teaching is this based on? I never heard this before and now it seems so obvious!

(2) Mordy, May 13, 2012 11:14 AM

What about privacy?

It's a beautiful idea, but let's be honest, how can one have a home which is totally open on all sides? There would never be any privacy. I believe the rabbis say that the tent of Abraham and Sarah had doors on all four sides, so as to make it easier for guests to enter. Didn't Bilaam praise our people's tents in that no one could see their neighbours? Yes, Abraham and Sarah were able to look out from any side and see if there were guests, but obviously, there home didn't consist of "four poles and a roof tent."

Anonymous, May 17, 2012 5:04 AM

Excellent question

If you find answer, please post.

(1) Michal, May 13, 2012 11:08 AM

It is true, absolutely true, and I like it.

Now I know, why my husband Eli z"l and me loved camping soo much. We felt at home at the camping site more than at our real home. My husband even died in Italy, while we made camping - lived like our forefathers Avraham and Sarah. - And it is true. You behave differently. You are much more open and kind to the people around you. And when I cried at the shore, because Hashem took my loved one away, I was hugged and comforted in many languages, from many different women. In a way, it would have never happened would we have been at home. But I did not realize, that our life (and death) was so much more similar to that of our forefathers... I am glad and thankful about what I learned today. And even now, 8 years later, I learn, how much Hashem blessed us. Baruch Hu!

vAH, May 14, 2012 1:01 AM

I am so sorry

Michal - I don't know what the details of the story are, but based on your comment one can only imagine the Tzar, pain you must be feeling. May Hashem continue to console you...

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About the Author

Charlie Harary

More by this Author >

Mr. Charlie Harary, Esq. is a prolific speaker who has traveled all over the country and abroad speaking for organizations, schools, universities and institutions on a variety of topics and to audiences of various sizes and affiliations. He has created dozens of videos that have received worldwide attention reaching hundreds of thousands of people in over 15 countries.

Mr. Harary is the CEO of H3 Capital LLC, a private equity company based in New York.

Prior to H3 Capital, Mr. Harary was the First Vice President of Residential Operations and Legal Counsel of RXR Realty, a multi-billion dollar Real Estate Company based in New York. Prior to RXR, Mr. Harary was an associate in Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Davis Polk & Wardwell. He received his J.D. from Columbia Law School where he was awarded the James Kent Scholar and the Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.

Mr. Harary is an Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at the Syms School of Business in Yeshiva University. He is also a Senior Lecturer for the Orthodox Union, Aish Hatorah and NCSY.

In addition, he is an active community leader. He is the founder and president of Milvado Inc., an organization that develops innovative methods to teach spirituality in relevant and modern ways. He is a member of the Executive Board of the OU as well as the Founding Chairman of its Young Leadership Cabinet. He is also a member of the Conference of Young Jewish Presidents.

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Chuppah: Why the Tent?

The first model Jewish home.

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