George Boyle
Smashing a glass under the chuppah is a defining moment of a Jewish wedding. The reasons for this tradition vary, from commemorating the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, to symbolizing the fragility of human relationships, to the light-hearted hope that the couple will raise a joyful, energetic family together. Many couples choose to save the shards of the glass as memorabilia, either in a pouch or by incorporating them into a piece of art or a functional item such as a mezuzah or picture frame.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for breaking glass | To commemorate the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the falling of Jerusalem |
| To symbolise that even in the happiest of times, the Jewish people remember the pain and losses suffered | |
| To symbolise the fragility of human relationships and that even the strongest love is subject to disintegration | |
| To symbolise that marriage is not about material goods, but about two people being together and committed to each other | |
| To symbolise that all potential cracks in the relationship go onto the glass, and the relationship should remain seamless and wonderful | |
| To symbolise the release of sexual union, which is required of married couples | |
| Type of glass used | Old, new, borrowed, blue, lightbulb, thin drinking glass |
| What to do with the broken glass | Put it in a mezuzah case, a picture frame, a heart-shaped keepsake, a vase, a menorah, a pouch, a cloth bag, a shadowbox, a light catcher/windchime, a candle stick, a kiddush cup, shabbat candle sticks, a decorative mosaic, a resin art |
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What You'll Learn
The tradition's meaning and history
Smashing a glass under the chuppah is a defining moment of a Jewish wedding. The tradition is rooted in the Middle Ages, when synagogue facades in Germany were inlaid with a special stone for smashing a glass at the end of weddings. By the 14th century, this custom had evolved to symbolize the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Thus, even in moments of great joy, Jewish people are reminded of the destruction and losses suffered throughout their history.
The fragility of glass also suggests the frailty of human relationships. The breaking of the glass is seen as a kind of incantation: "As this glass shatters, so may our marriage never break". Other interpretations include the idea that by breaking the glass, all potential cracks in the relationship are transferred onto the glass, leaving the relationship seamless. Another interpretation is that the breaking of a valuable item symbolizes that marriage is not about material goods but about two people being together and committed to each other.
The glass is usually wrapped in a cloth or napkin and placed on the floor in front of the groom. Before it is smashed, it is traditional for the Rabbi or Chazan (Cantor) to sing a Hebrew song called "Im Eshkakech Yerushalayim" ("If I forget you, Jerusalem"), commemorating the falling of Jerusalem and the destruction of the two Jewish temples.
Many couples choose to keep the shards of the broken glass as memorabilia, often storing them in a pouch or a mezuzah case. Some couples send the shards to artists who create decorative pieces or functional Judaica items, such as picture frames or candle sticks, to display in their homes.
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What to break the glass with
The breaking of the glass is an important tradition in Jewish weddings. The custom is related in the Talmud, where Mar, son of Ravina, threw a precious cup worth four hundred zuz at his son's wedding to quieten down the boisterous rabbis. The breaking of the glass is a symbol of the frailty of human relationships and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
You can break any kind of glass at a Jewish wedding: old, new, borrowed, or blue. A thin drinking glass works well, and a lightbulb is also a common choice due to the thinness of the glass. If you are having an outdoor ceremony, make sure you have something hard underneath the glass to break it. You can also buy special glass to break that can be repurposed into a decorative piece, like a mezuzah or a picture frame.
Whatever you choose to break, it should be well wrapped to prevent injury. A heavy cloth napkin is standard, but you can also use a satin or velvet pouch, or a simple thin cloth bag. You can also put the bag inside a thicker velvet bag, which looks nicer and ensures the broken glass is contained.
After the ceremony, you can save the broken glass shards as memorabilia or include them in your family tree history. You can also send them to be made into a mezuzah or shabbos candlesticks.
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What to do with the broken glass
Smashing a glass under the chuppah is a defining moment of a Jewish wedding. The glass is usually wrapped in a cloth or napkin and placed on the floor in front of the groom to be smashed. There are several interpretations of this tradition, one of which is that it symbolises the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Another interpretation is that the fragility of glass suggests the frailty of human relationships, and by breaking the glass, all potential cracks in the relationship go onto the glass, and the relationship should remain seamless.
Many couples choose to keep the shards of the broken glass as memorabilia from their wedding. Some couples put the shards in a pouch, while others use them to create decorative pieces such as mosaics or functional Judaica items. Some couples also use the shards to create mezuzahs, candle sticks, or picture frames. There are also kits available on Etsy that provide the materials to create these mementos.
Some couples also choose to discard the broken glass, with one couple choosing to throw away the lightbulb they used to smash.
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How to break the glass
The breaking of the glass is a significant ritual in Jewish weddings. It symbolises the fragility of human relationships and the notion that even the strongest love is fragile and can disintegrate. The ritual is also said to ward off evil spirits that prey on couples and wreak havoc in their relationships.
There are many ways to break the glass, and the type of glass used is also a matter of personal preference. Here are some suggestions:
- Using a lightbulb: A lightbulb wrapped in a linen napkin or cloth bag can be used. It is easy to break due to the thinness of the glass and will make a louder popping sound. However, some consider it a poor substitute for such a rich and ancient symbol.
- Thin drinking glass: A thin drinking glass can also be used and is likely to break easily.
- Special glass from Judaica: You can purchase special glass from websites like Judaica.com, which comes in different colours and is easy to break. It also comes in a pouch, making it convenient to collect the shards.
- Old, new, borrowed, or blue glass: Any glass can be used, and some people may prefer to use old, new, borrowed, or blue glass with sentimental value.
To perform the ritual, the glass is usually wrapped in a cloth napkin, satin pouch, or velvet bag to prevent the shards from flying everywhere and causing injury. The wrapped glass is then placed on the floor in front of the groom, who stomps on it. After the glass is broken, guests traditionally shout "Mazel Tov!" ("Congratulations!" or "Good Luck!") and the song "Siman Tov u'Mazel Tov" is sung.
The broken glass shards can be saved as memorabilia and used to create mementoes such as mezuzahs, picture frames, or shabbos candle sticks.
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What to do with the broken glass shards
Smashing a glass under the chuppah is a defining moment of a Jewish wedding. The glass is usually wrapped in a cloth or napkin and placed on the floor in front of the groom to be smashed. Many couples choose to keep the shards of the broken glass as memorabilia or souvenirs. Some couples put the shards into a pouch, while others display them in their homes as artwork or a decorative piece.
There are several options for what to do with the broken glass shards from a Jewish wedding:
- Create a mezuzah case: Many couples choose to put their broken glass shards into a mezuzah case, which can be purchased or DIY-ed. The mezuzah can be hung in the bedroom or on multiple doors in the home.
- Make a picture frame: The shards can be incorporated into a picture frame to hold a beloved photo of the couple on their wedding day.
- Create a mosaic or resin art: Couples can commission artists to create a mosaic or resin artwork with the broken glass shards, which can be displayed in their homes.
- Make a keepsake: The shards can be added to a heart-shaped or other decorative keepsake item.
- Store as memorabilia: Some couples choose to simply store the shards in a pouch, box, or closet as a memory of their wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why Jewish couples break glass at their weddings. One reason is that it is believed that even during the happiest moments in life, one must remember the less joyous times. The breaking of the glass is a reminder of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Another interpretation is that the fragility of glass suggests the frailty of human relationships, and the glass is broken as a kind of incantation: "As this glass shatters, so may our marriage never break."
Many couples choose to keep the broken glass shards as memorabilia. Some put the shards in a mezuzah case, while others display them in their homes as wall art or a mosaic in a frame. There are also kits available to help couples create their own mementos from the broken glass.
Any type of glass can be used for a Jewish wedding, including old, new, borrowed, or blue glass. However, it is recommended to use thin glass that shatters easily, such as a lightbulb or a thin drinking glass. The glass should be wrapped in a cloth or napkin to prevent injury and contain the shards.
