Why, in a Jewish wedding, do they stomp on the wine glass?

Question

I UNDERSTAND NOW...................

Answer 1

I just love how people who dont know about Judaism, and some who do, answer questions incorrectly.

The Talmudic passage that describes the breaking of glass at a wedding says absolutely nothing about remembering the Temple. The story, in the Talmud, is that there was too much celebration going on at a wedding, and so the rabbi took an heirloom glass vase and threw it to the ground, in order to grab everyone's attention. He then reminded them that although a wedding is when we are the most joyful, full of hope for the couple, even our joys must be in moderation, and the sound of the breaking glass tempered that joy.

Come on, people, who wants to think about the destruction of The Temple at one's wedding?? But everyone understands that when people get too rowdy, things and people can get hurt, so, even joy must be in moderation.

Answer 2

Yes at the end of the ceremony a glass, place in the floor, is shatter by the groom.
This act serves as an expression of sadness at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and identifies the couple with the spiritual and national destiny of the Jewish people.
Others explain that this is the last time the groom gets to put his foot down.

This act also marks the conclusion of the wedding ceremony.

Answer 3

What is the meaning of the breaking of the glass? There are many explanations for this time honored tradition:

Even in times of great joy, we reserve a moment to mourn the destruction of the Temple, without which our lives are incomplete.
We should remember the fragility of relationships.
The loud noise frightens away evil spirits that threaten to steal the souls of the joyous couple.
It is the last time the groom gets to put his foot down!

Answer 4

To remind us of the destruction of the second temple and to remind us that although we are happy we are still in exile. When we stomp on the glass we are basically saying all the bad should be through that glass that we just broke (in other words the glass broke instead of us having some other punishment).

Answer 5

This custom dates back to Talmudic times, and symbolizes the idea of our keeping Jerusalem and Israel in our minds even at times of our joy. Just as the Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed, so we break a utensil to show our identification with the sorrow of Jewish exile. The verse, "If I forget thee O' Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its cunning: If I do not raise thee over my own joy, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth", is sometimes recited at this point.

Answer 6

its a mark of bitter sweetness

while a wedding is a joyous event the breaking of glass reminds Jews that it cannot be in full joy until the the Temple and Israel are restored to there full glory.

Answer 7

Even if the origin of the custom is not the rememberance of the destruction of the temple, that's what breaking the glass now signifies.
Mazal tov!

Answer 8

I think gratvol is the correct answer. I always looked at it as being a sign that no one else can ever use those glasses again. In other words, their marriage is between them and them only.

Answer 9

Psychologically speaking, I have heard that the glass subconsciously represents the virgin bride's hymen. Breaking the glass is symbolic of ending her virginity.

Whether or not this theory has any validity to it, I can't say.

Answer 10

gravitol is right

sorry sfederow but commentaries DO mention the galus the talmud is brachos 36a or 37a right on top
there was a party and it needed to be toned down as psalm 126? indicates