[m., pl. “Chatanim”]; a bridegroom; a man who is “Mekadesh” his “Kallah;” that is, designates a woman as his wife by giving her an object of value, generally a ring, and reciting the words, “you are hereby dedicated to me by acceptance of this ring, according to the Law of Moshe and Israel.”
The Kallah accepts the ring, thus accepting and agreeing to the dedication of herself, to the Chatan, as his wife.
Seven blessings are recited, each referring to a different aspect of marriage.
The “Chatan” and the “Kallah” spend a few moments of privacy together to symbolically seal their marriage.
It is a great Mitzvah to bring joy to the “Chatan” and the “Kallah,” who are compared at this time and for the first week of their marriage to a king and a queen, by singing and dancing joyously in their honor.
The sun in its glorious rising is compared to a “Chatan” emerging from his “Chupah,” or Bridal Canopy, on one of the happiest days of his life.