Badchonim (singular badchen) traditionally entertained before and after Ashkenazic Jewish weddings. They were generally reasonably learned men, with a level of learning comparable to a maggid or sermonizer.

Wedding parties were one of the few contexts in which Jewish tradition allowed music and dance.

In addition to a badchen, and the rabbi who actually performed the wedding, an elaborate traditional wedding could also involve a letz (a jongleur/musician) and a marshalik (a master of ceremonies).

The badchen had to be able both to provide the energy for a party before and after the ceremony itself and also to make the transition to a more serious tone immediately before the ceremony.

The 19th century Broder singers began badchonim, but began to perform outside of the context of weddings. They, in turn, are usually seen as the forerunners of Yiddish theater.

References

• Liptzin, Sol, A History of Yiddish Literature, Jonathan David Publishers, Middle Village, NY, 1972, ISBN 0-8246-0124-6, 22-23.