Yiddish speakers can readily understand the meaning of forshpiel, which translates literally as pre-party. Guests gather in the brides and grooms homes on the Sabbath afternoon before their wedding to sing and celebrate with the newlywed to be couple.
The brides pre-party is called Shabbat Kallah, the Sabbath bride. The celebration links the bride to Shabbath, which has been mystically nicknamed as Gods bride. (Lecha Dodi, a prayer in welcoming the Shabbath, recited Friday night, repeats the refrain: Lecha dodi likrat kallah penei Shabbat nekabelah, Go, my beloved, to greet the bride, the countenance of Shabbat we will greet.)
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