BREAKING OF THE GLASS CEREMONY
The Breaking of the Glass ceremony comes from Jewish tradition. It’s actual meaning is cloaked in the mists of Hebrew history. With adjustments appropriate to the meaning you intend to convey, the Breaking of the Glass could be a meaningful part of your ceremony as well. What follows in possible wordings you might use should you choose to include it in you wedding ceremony.
Breaking of the Glass option #1
At the conclusion of traditional Jewish ceremony, the groom smashes a glass with his foot. The meaning of this act is disputed. One interpretation is that the marriage will last as long as the glass is broken– forever. Another interpretation is that people need to remember those who are suffering even in their greatest moments of joy, and to remember the destruction of the second temple. After the breaking of the glass, the guests yell, “Mazel Tov!” which means good luck (Groom breaks the glass and everyone yells Mazel Tov!)
Breaking of the Glass option #2
At the conclusion of a traditional Jewish ceremony, the groom smashes a glass with his foot. As with most symbols, meanings associated with them vary depending which tradition you consult. Since Israeli history is so rich and long, one would expect such an action to be connected to a significant event in the distant past; in this case the destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD — the destructive crunch hearkening back to the intense suffering of Hebrews subjected to those dark days in their history. A reminder that the time between the joy of an occasion such as this and the heart ache of severe reversal may be brief. We need to make the most of all that life provides, no matter what.
From another perspective, probably more apropos to a wedding, the breaking of the glass is construed to mean that this marriage will last as long as the glass is broken. In sync with this, after the breaking of the glass, the guests yell, “Mazel Tov!” which means good luck.
So, in keeping with Jewish tradition the groom will now partake in the “breaking of the glass”, signifying the groom’s intention that this marriage will last as long as the glass is broken …FOREVER!!!, and, from a more feminine perspective, symbolic that this is the last time (the groom) will put his foot down!(Groom breaks the glass and everyone yells Mazel Tov!)