My Japanese wife told me of an old wedding tradition in Japan in which the bride’s family smashes a ceramic rice bowl at the threshhold of her parents’ home. This is done to symbolize her moving to a new home – i.e. “there is no place for you to eat here now”.
This made me wonder if the Jewish wedding glass stomping symbolizes something similar.
Anyone here know?
RK
The formal reason for breaking a glass at a Jewish wedding (given in the Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chaim 560:2) is in order to remember the destruction of the Temple (and not allow it to be forgotten at the height of one’s joy). I’ve also heard it said that it symbolizes the idea that just as the glass’ broken state is permanent, so too should be the marriage bond and the affection that the bride and groom feel for each other.
In any case, seeing as how the glass-breaking doesn’t take place at the bride’s parents’ home, I would doubt that it’s related to the Japanese custom you mention - although it is an interesting coincidence.
My understanding is that the Temple connection to the broken glass is actually a relatively recent interpereation, and that the act is a truly ancient custom whose original purpose was to make a loud noise in order to drive off any nearby evil spirits intent on ruining the moment. If anything has any sort of connection to Shinto practices, it’s that.
I’ve also heard that breaking the glass symbolizes the bride’s (upcoming) loss of virginity, but that’s neither here nor there.
Interesting point, Alessan. I’ve been to a couple of Jewish weddings which were not the first for the bride (divorcees, who are presumably no longer virgins), and there was still glass-breaking involved. Was it just incorrect ultra-Reform assumption, then, that all Jewish weddings involve breaking a glass?
Every Jewish wedding that I’ve been to (including second and third marriages) had the groom breaking the glass.
Zev Steinhardt
It’s interesting that the meaning of the broken glass seems to have meandered over time. Perhaps, in fifty years, it will mean, “This dude can really kick some glass.” 
why look for “Deep” theological reasons?
The reason for stomping on the glass is simple–it’s a lot of fun!
Folk traditions remain deeply ingrained because people enjoy doing them. If it ain’t fun, you don’t keep doing what your grandparents did-you shun it as old-fashioned.
(obviously, there are philosophical reasons for breaking the glass, probably based on the idea that a very joyous occasion shouldn’t dull our awareness that life has sad moments too.)
But in the middle of a wedding , who’s thinking of philosophy?
That glass makes such a satisfying crunching sound!!
And it’s the signal for the DJ to cut the violin music and crank up the volume for some dancin’.
Me.
It’s not as if broken glass = broken hymen is “official” dogma; I doubt most newlyweds have even heard of that interpertation. Besides, every woman is a virgin princess on her wedding night, and even pregnant brides (which, in some Jewish communities, are actually encouraged) wear white.
Theoretically, a Jewish wedding is very, very simple. All that needs to be said is the sentence beginning with "Hineh at mikudeshet li…, and strictly speaking, there doesn’t even have to be a rabbi present. All the rest - the Seven Blessings, the Ketuba, the rings, the Hupa, the glass - are just customs, although many Orthodoxim consider customs as having the force of law.
** chappachula** - at my wedding, it ws Good Lovin’ by the Young Rascals.
I’ve heard all sorts of explanations for the broken glass, including that it’s supposed to symbolize the destruction of the Great Temple in Jerusalem (I believe that one is from my dilapidated, hamster-chewed copy of Leo Rosten’s The Joys of Yidish).
But encouraging pregnant brides? That one I’ve never heard. I don’t dispute you, but in what communities? I’d hate to try that one on my mom, even at the age of 34!
The glass custom has it’s origin in the Talmud, which relatesa story of a rabbi breaking a utensil of some sort when he saw the levity getting out of hand.
Alessan,
Most of what you’ve posted is ignorant misinformation.
The ring is absolutely required (although you don’t need a ring specifically - you can give anything that has some value). The seven blessings and ktuba are required (although the marriage is valid without them - but you’ve violated relgious law). The Hupa is halfway - there are some opinions that it is required - in any event it has become a custom.
You are correct about the glass and the rabbi being customs. But that’s a pretty sad percentage. (And FWIW, it’s Harei, not Hinei).
And that’s without even getting into the business of encouraging pregnant brides nonsense. (Just which communities might you be referring to?)