Breaking of the Glass 1
The breaking of the glass is one of the most beloved traditions of a Jewish wedding ceremony.
This goblet was created especially for the treasured moment when the BRIDE and GROOM sanctify their marriage.
This ancient practice has been interpreted in many ways.
As a symbol of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the glass reminds us of sadness even in during the most joyous of occasions.
Another view is that a broken glass cannot be mended and this reflects the permanence of marriage.
After the wedding, the BRIDE and GROOM will be changed forever.
Some consider the fragility of glass as a symbol of the frailty of human relationships.
Even as BRIDE and GROOM strengthens their relationship with the act of marriage, they must remember the care required to maintain this bond as they settle into their life together.
No matter what the interpretation, the breaking of the glass is an important part of any Jewish wedding and marks the beginning of a new life together.
After GROOM breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words Mazel Tov,” meaning Good Luck” and Congratulations.”
Breaking of the Glass 2
The final act of this ceremony is the shattering of the glass.
This old custom has many traditions, with many interpretations.
At one time it was meant to scare off demons who frequent celebrations.
Today, the fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships.
The bride and groom – and everyone —that they should consider these marriage vows as an IRREVOCABLE ACT.
Just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable.
The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer.
”May your bond of love be as difficult to break, as it would be to put back together these pieces of glass.”
Knowing that this marriage is permanent, the Bride and Groom should strive every day to show each other love and respect and happiness.
After GROOM breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words Mazel Tov,” meaning Good Luck” and Congratulations.”
Breaking of the Glass 3
BRIDE and GROOM, this glass symbolizes the clarity of your love for each other and the shattering of your old separate lives as you begin anew together.
As you break the glass, all of our blessings will be bestowed upon you.
It is the tradition for everyone present to shout “mazeltov” as the groom stomps the wedding goblet.
In Hebrew, this means ‘congratulations.’
The sound of the glass breaking is also a signal saying, “Let the party begin!”
Breaking of the Glass 4
Like your marriage, this glass is a beautiful thing.
It’s clean and clear, allowing sunshine to flow through it.
If cared for properly, it can last a lifetime.
Like a marriage though, it can also be quite frail.
We stomp the glass at the end of a wedding ceremony to remind you that just as your foot can shatter this glass, so too a single thoughtless act cause irreparable harm to your marriage.
When you entered into marriage today, you committed an irrevocable act — permanent and final.
As you stomp this glass at the finish of the ceremony, so too will you be committing an irrevocable act.
It can no more be undone than this glass could be made whole again.
Cherish each other with the love and respect the love of your life deserves.
Breaking of the Glass 5
The traditional breaking of the glass marks the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the celebration.
As GROOM breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout Mazel Tov,” which means Congratulations” and Good Luck.”
Breaking of the Glass 6
We end the ceremony with the traditional breaking of the glass.
Breaking this glass symbolizes the permanent change this marriage covenant makes in BRIDE and GROOM’s lives.
Breaking of the Glass 7
It is a Jewish custom to end the wedding ceremony with the breaking of a glass.
We do not know the exact origin of the custom.
Some people say that the breaking of the glass symbolizes the irrevocable change in the lives of the couple standing before us; other say it has its roots in superstition when people broke glasses to scare away evil spirits from such lucky people as the bride and groom.
Whatever its beginnings, the breaking of the glass now has many interpretations, one of which says that even in the moment of our greatest joy, we should have a responsibility to help relieve some of that pain and suffering.
And, of course, the breaking of the glass marks the beginning of the celebration.
Breaking of the Glass 8
We conclude this ceremony with the breaking of the glass.
It is a joyous ceremony.
The fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships.
The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer:
May your bond of love be as difficult to break as it would be to put together the pieces of this glass.
Breaking of the Glass 9
May the breaking of this glass remind you of the fragility of human relationships.
A broken glass cannot be mended, and likewise marriage is irrevocable.
As this glass shatters, so may your marriage never break.
Breaking of the Glass 10
There have been many stories explaining the breaking of the glass.
For those of us here today, it serves to remind us of several very important aspects of a marriage.
The BRIDE and GROOM and everyone should consider these marriage vows as an irrevocable act, just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable.
The shattered glass also reminds us how fragile life and love can be.
That sometimes a single thoughtless act, breech of trust, or marital misstep can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo, just as it would be difficult to undo the breaking of the glass.
It serves as a reminder of the sanctity of marriage, and that the love of the bride and groom should last for as long as it would take to make the glass perfectly whole again.
It also symbolizes the transforming experience that marriage creates, leaving the bride and groom forever changed.
In a moment, GROOM will break the glass signifying the end of the ceremony and the time for celebration.
Breaking of the Glass 11
We conclude this ceremony with the Breaking of the Glass.
In Jewish tradition, the Breaking of the Glass at a wedding is a symbolic prayer and hope that your love for one another will remain until the pieces of the glass come together again, or in other words, that your love will last forever.
The fragile nature of the glass also suggests the frailty of human relationships.
Even the strongest of relationships is subject to disintegration.
The glass then, is broken to PROTECT” the marriage with the implied prayer — MAY your bond of love be as difficult to break as it would be to put together the pieces of this glass.
