Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

I read that Mezinka is a traditional dance for the parents (following the Hora) if they are marring off their last single child. My FH is an only child, so would we do this dance?

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

I'm the last child in my family getting married.. I never saw that before. It may be an ultra orthodox thing -- don't know, I'm pretty reform. I can say both my cousins got married, and that didn't take place -- I would ask your rabbi about it. Let me know!

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

Yes, you do the mezinka when the last/only child is married. Its an honor for the parents that they have brought all their children to the chuppah

Its not an ultra-orthodox thing (Ive been to reform, conservative and orthodox weddings and its done the same way at all of them), its pretty much as standard as the hora, only it just doesnt happen at every wedding unless all the children are married.

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

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Posted by perfectpair

I read that Mezinka is a traditional dance for the parents (following the Hora) if they are marring off their last single child. My FH is an only child, so would we do this dance?

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yes,
my DH is an only child and we did this dance for my ILs

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

I'm not religious and sadly I had never heard about it until one of the DJ's mentioned it.

We're both the last child married so we were thinking about doing it as well, though I don't know the rules. Technically i might not be considered the last since my sister's husband isn't Jewish.

Just seemed like a nice thing to do. I don't think it matters if one of you are an only child.

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

Were not doing this b/c we arent extremely religious. Its a personal perferance really.

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

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Posted by mbg1007

Yes, you do the mezinka when the last/only child is married. Its an honor for the parents that they have brought all their children to the chuppah

Its not an ultra-orthodox thing (Ive been to reform, conservative and orthodox weddings and its done the same way at all of them), its pretty much as standard as the hora, only it just doesnt happen at every wedding unless all the children are married.

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Wow, thanks! Gotta tell my parents about it -- they are not dancers!

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

Thanks, I wasn't sure...

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

The parents just sit in chairs I think - my friends did it for her inlaws!

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

wow I've been to so many Jewish weddings and never saw this done.. I'm an only child but my parents are deceased so I think I am going to opt out of this... FH has one more brother to get married (FH is second to get married of 3 children).

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

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Posted by ShariPaige

Wow, thanks! Gotta tell my parents about it -- they are not dancers!

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the parents sit in chairs w/ floral wreaths on their heads and guests walk around them in a circle and kiss them as they go by

no dancing required

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

Huh... I thought Mezinka was only if both kids were the only/last? I could totally have that wrong, I just heard about it this year.

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

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Posted by stealthgroom

Huh... I thought Mezinka was only if both kids were the only/last? I could totally have that wrong, I just heard about it this year.

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This got me so curious I might just ask my Rabbi about it.. I'll find out if it's just if bride/groom is only/last to get married or if it has to be both.

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

I saw this done at my friend's wedding and he was not ultra religious at all. The parents of the child that is last in their family to get married sit in two chairs in the middle of the dance floor and people sort of dance around them and congratulate them (kiss them and/or hug them). So in my friend's case, his parents sat in the chairs, his wife parent's did not participate because they still had unmarried children.

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

Re: Jewish Brides: Mezinka? if there an only child?

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Posted by ShariPaige

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Posted by mbg1007

Yes, you do the mezinka when the last/only child is married. Its an honor for the parents that they have brought all their children to the chuppah

Its not an ultra-orthodox thing (Ive been to reform, conservative and orthodox weddings and its done the same way at all of them), its pretty much as standard as the hora, only it just doesnt happen at every wedding unless all the children are married.

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Wow, thanks! Gotta tell my parents about it -- they are not dancers![/QUOTE

For the mezinka, your parents sit in the middle and everyone dances around them, and wishes them congratulations