When in the presence of a recently married bride or groom, say nice things about their new spouse.

While the badeken gives the bridegroom the opportunity to make sure she is the woman he intends to marry, it is also customary to ascertain that the bride wants to marry the bridegroom.

To learn more about how Rebecca signaled that she wanted to travel and meet Isaac, the future patriarch, read this enlightening analysis entitled “The Willing Bride” from Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald’s Torah message for Chayei Sarah 5770-2009. Out of respect for the Sabbath, please consider printing it on Friday afternoon if you plan to read it on Shabbat.