yichud

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Pronunciations

yichud (YIH-khood)

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Definitions

  • n. The short period after the wedding ceremony when the bride and groom are alone together for the first time as a married couple.

  • n. The state of being alone with someone of the opposite sex, something which Orthodox Jews avoid.

  • n. Unification with God.

Example Sentences

  • "Some types of Yichud are forbidden by Torah law, while others types of Yichud are forbidden by Rabbinic law." (source)

  • "She always leaves the door ajar when he's here. She doesn't want to be in yichud with him." (Glinert)

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Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew
  • Yiddish

Etymology

  • TH ייחוד 'seclusion' > Y ייִחוד yikhed

      • Who Uses This

      • Orthodox: Jews who identify as Orthodox and observe halacha (Jewish law)

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).
      • The Joys of Hebrew, by Lewis Glinert (New York, 1992).
      • Dictionary of Jewish Usage: A Popular Guide to the Use of Jewish Terms, by Sol Steinmetz (Lanham, MD, 2005).

      Alternative Spellings

      yikhud

Notes

  • "This is a private time to bond and have a moment of peace before the celebration begins. Traditionally, couples who have fasted on their wedding day break the fast together during this time. Because of the custom of yichud, receiving lines are not a traditional part of a Jewish wedding; the bride and groom are not available to greet guests." (JPS)

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