The Breaking of the Glass Ceremony
Meaning - This ceremony can have multiple meanings.
- In Judaism, followers are taught that Jerusalem is a sacred symbol/place and should be held in a highest regard. The Breaking of the Glass shows that the Groom and Bride are mindful of the lack of peace in Jerusalem and acknowledgement should be set above there highest joy, the moment of their wedding.
- The ceremony can represent blessing to the couple that all their troubles be broken as easily as the glass.
- The ceremony can represent the fragility and challenges a couple will face as a married couple and be a wish for strength that they can endure it together.
Time - About 1 to 2 minutes in length
Supplies
- A glass or a light bulb
- A cloth bag large enough to cover the glass or light bulb
- Wine if the couple wishes to sip from the glass first
Placement - Typically at the end of the wedding ceremony, after the Ring Ceremony but before the Declaration.
Variations - The ceremony will vary depending on the meaning that the couple
selects.
Example of wording for this Enhancement:
Example based on Jewish Tradition
Spoken by the OfficiantMarriage is a sacred union. It is meant to be a living example of the Marriage between Heaven & Earth, God & Humanity. In Judaism, nothing represents this Union more than the symbol of Jerusalem.
Psalm 137 states; If I forget thee Jerusalem, let my right hand wither; let my tongue cleave to my palate if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy. The breaking of the glass fulfils this when the _____ and ______ are mindful of the lack of peace in Jerusalem which is set above there highest joy -the moment of their wedding.
For those of you witnessing this for the first time it is appropriate to clap, yell, or shout Mazal Tov!, when the glass is broken.
Action
______ takes drink from glass and hands it to _____ who drains the glass. The glass is wrapped in the cloth then placed it on the floor (or replaces it with a light bulb). _____ steps on the glass, breaking it.
Example based on a Blessing for troubles to be overcome easily
Spoken by the Officiant
The traditional breaking of the glass marks the end of the ceremony. _____ and ____, may all your happiness be as great as the number of broken pieces of glass, and may all of your troubles be as easily shattered.
As the glass is broken, I invite everyone to shout “Mazal Tov,” which means “congratulations and good luck.”
Action
The glass is wrapped in the cloth then placed it on the floor (or replaces it with a light bulb). _____ steps on the glass, breaking it.
Example based on the Strength of a Marraige
Spoken by the Officiant
We conclude this ceremony with the Breaking of the Glass. 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.
As the glass is broken, I invite everyone to shout “Mazal Tov,” which means “congratulations and good luck.”!
Action
The glass is wrapped in the cloth then placed it on the floor (or replaces it with a light bulb). _____ steps on the glass, breaking it.
Many people associate the term Mazal Tov with the Jewish religion. The last line of these examples can be altered or removed if the couple just likes the meaning or the representation of the Enhancement.