Question about Glass breaking tradition

ballandchain10

What exactly is the tradition/reasoning behind the groom stepping on the glass?  I thought it was to scare away bad vibes/evil spirits, but my aunt says that's not the case.

october010bride

There are a lot of different versions of the meaning behind breaking the glass. The one I heard most is that it symbolizes the destruction of the Jewish Temples in Israel and the rebuilding that was done by the Jewish people throughout time. And that as you start your new life you can never forget the past. I've also heard the glass symbolizes your old life and after breaking it you have created a new life with your spouse.. the more shards of glass you have the more good luck you will have. Chabad.org and aish.com both have nice descriptions of the action... aish is much shorter then chabad.org though. hth!

masteraleph

The traditional reason is in memory for the Temples in Jerusalem (and the destruction in Jerusalem in general). At traditional ceremonies, Im Eshkacheich (Psalms 137:5-6) is sung beforehand, as well.

Shoshie

I think we did it to symbolize the breaking of us from our individual families and, like if you tried to reassemble the glass, we will never be the same. :)Like in "Betsy's Wedding," I had no desire to bring up the temples or how at each simcha we need sadness.

MoFree

This is what I found at www.Aish.com Breaking the Glass A glass is now placed on the floor, and the chatan shatters it with his foot. This 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. A Jew, even at the moment of greatest rejoicing, is mindful of the Psalmist's injunction to "set Jerusalem above my highest joy." In jest, some explain that this is the last time the groom gets to "put his foot down." (In Israel, the Ashkenazi custom is that the glass is broken earlier, prior to the reading of the ketubah. Sefardim always break the glass at the end of the ceremony, even in Israel.) This marks the conclusion of the ceremony. With shouts of "Mazel Tov," the chatan and kallah are then given an enthusiastic reception from the guests as they leave the chuppah together.

sara.altman

My mother always said that it was to say that "what is done cannot be undone; that it shall be as hard to separate this couple as it would be to put the glass back together." Maybe I'm sentimental, but I've always preferred this reason.