Groom:
הִנָּךְ יָפָה רַעְיָתִי הִנָּךְ יָפָה עֵינָיִךְ יוֹנִים
Hinnakh yafah ra’yati hinnakh yafah einayikh yonim.
Ah, how fine you are, my love
how fine –
your eyes like those of doves!
(Groom puts a kippahA small cap, traditionally worn by men, symbolizing humility before God. Although women traditionally covered their heads with a scarf or hat as a sign of modesty, today, some women wear kippot as well. on bride’s head.)
Bride:
הִנְּךָ יָפֶה דּוֹדִי אַף נָעִים
Hinkha yafeh dodi af na’im.
How fine are you, my beloved;
what joy we have together!
(Bride puts a kippah on groom’s head.)
Bride:
דּוֹמֶה דּוֹדִי לִצְבִי אוֹ לְעֹפֶר הָאַיָּלִים
Domeh dodi litzvi o l’ofer ha-ayalim.
My beloved is like a gazelle
Or like a young stag.
(Bride pins a flower on groom.)
Groom:
לִבַּבְתִּינִי אֲחֹתִי כַּלָּה לִבַּבְתִּינִי בְּאַחַת מֵעֵינָיִךְ
Libavtini akhoti kallahLit. Bride. libavtini b’akhat me’einayikh.
You have stirred my heart
O my sister, my bride,
You have captured my heart
With one flash of your eyes.
(Groom pins a flower on bride.)
