realized last night that single people dont know very much about first night sheva brachot (if they know anythign about sheva brachot at all).
here's a good rule. when people have just gone throug something as tiring - emotionally, physically - as a wedding, they want to, need to sleep then ext night. especially when they're facing a week full of this.
sitting and singing NCSY shalishudis (is that how you spell it?) songs for 45 minutes is not fun for them. hearing inane stories is not fun for them. they want to see you, eat, do Sheva Brachot, and start the long treck home.
the thrill of walking into your apt for the first time as a married couple is slightly duleld when you're carrying a lot of stuff anf falling over from exhasution.
also, if you're going to make Sheva Brachot, make sure that someone there actually knows the procedure. it also helps to have benchers with the brachot in them ready to go. and work out the money beforehand - noone wants to stand around after 2 hours and figure out how much they owe, who they gave it to... it's so senior trip. get it together people, we're adult-ish now.
1. 'A visitor' posted on the Tue 3 Aug 2004, 11:31 pm
ReplyDeleteWell, that seems to be what happens when two single people are asked to organize the first night sheva brachos. It's also what happens when the people that sang under the chuppa come to the first night sheva brachos. Why would I bother making a comment at all, revealing my involvement in said first night sheva brachos organization (or lack thereof)? I have no idea. None at all. Things I've learned from last night:
1-Don't make any assumptions about Mincha arrangements
2-Don't leave the meal unattended to daven Mincha out on the sidewalk because people will start singing and telling inane stories
3-Have Avraham Bronstein explain the sheva brachos procedure to the person that will be leading the benching well in advance of the actual procedure
4-Not all benchers have the sheva brachos benching in them (Mine had half. Don't even ask. I blame Bonker's Bagels)
5-I should have taken Barbara's brother's suggestion and taken extra benchers from the wedding for the sheva brachos
6-Even when you give a restaurant lots of business, they don't like to ring up lots of individuals
Thing I've learned tonight:
1-When you mumble (who doesn't?) shalosh seudos, it sounds like shalishudis
In any case, I hope you at least enjoyed the food. :-P
This post was half in jest. You'll have to figure out which half for yourself. Laugh. Go ahead. With me. At me. What's the difference. It's all the same as long as I can't see your outstretched fingers pointed at my reddened cheeks.
A much longer post than I intended...
Jeremy
2. 'Dani Weiss' posted on the Wed 4 Aug 2004, 11:40 am
ReplyDeleteJEREMY!!!!!!!!!!! it was totally fun. that was just pointers for any singles who may make sheva brachot in the future. you know, things to consider.
and yes, things did go to hell quickly when you left. : )
3. 'A visitor' posted on the Wed 4 Aug 2004, 12:30 pm
ReplyDeleteJeremy, if it's any consolation, l'il old single me threw sheva berakhos last night and violated Dani's rule on acutally knowing the pouring procedure. (There are three glasses involved, who knew?)
Meredith
4. 'Dani Weiss' posted on the Wed 4 Aug 2004, 1:06 pm
ReplyDeleteactually, i hadn't mentioned the pouring, cause that's the easiest part. working out beforehand who should get all the brachot and knowing not to make the hagafen right away is what i meant.