Under the Chuppah

Question

Dear Rabbi,

I have a question for your “Ask the Rabbi” series. I have seen that at a Jewish wedding ceremony a glass is smashed right before people shout “Mazal Tov!” Why?

Thanks

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    It says in Psalms, “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. Let my tongue adhere to my palate if I fail to recall you, if I fail to elevate Jerusalem above my foremost joy.” Therefore, even at times of “foremost joy,” such as a wedding, we smash a glass in order to recall the Temple and the glory of Jerusalem during the Temple era, and regret its destruction.

    In addition, breaking the glass at the time when the newlywed couple unite to build a new home expresses an optimistic view for the national future of the Jewish People. It shows our complete faith that God and the Jewish nation will also soon more fully unite, leading to the rebuilding of the Temple.

    Yet another reason for breaking a glass is because the Torah says, ‘Serve God with fear and rejoice with trembling.’ Based on this, when Rav Ashi made a wedding for his son and saw that the Rabbis were getting ‘carried away’ in their rejoicing, he brought out a crystal glass and broke it before them and they became more solemn. Many commentaries says that this is a source for breaking the glass at weddings. Even at an occasion of great rejoicing, one should take measures to ensure that the celebration remains within bounds of propriety and holiness.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team