In a weekly Torah sheet, Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita discusses the minhag of a choson breaking a glass at the conclusion of a chupah, lamenting the fact the custom has become amusing rather than reminding us of the destruction of the Beis HaMikdosh. The Rav states this significant minhag in the case of many bridegrooms has become nothing more than frivolity and a testimony to one’s strength, one’s ability to smash the glass in a single stroke.
The choson smashes the glass into small fragments and the tzibur shouts “mazel tov” he writes, and the result is exactly the opposite of the intention of implementing the minhag. While the Rav states it would not be proper to eliminate the minhag, the actions of some compel one to think doing so might be preferable.
The Rav speaks of the minhag among sephardim, to recite “If I Forget Thee Oh Jerusalem…” while the cup is broken, suggesting the rabbi officiating at the chupah to instruct the choson to recite the posuk after breaking the glass, to enhance the significance of the act and to remind the guests of the symbolism surrounding the act.
The too-often-seen practice of jocularity and concentrating on the force exerted to smash the glass should be replaced by proper reflection of the churban and what the act, breaking the glass symbolizes.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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3 Responses
I find it interesting how the glass has become the minhag universally and very few people still put ash on the chossons head under the Chuppa ( I know its my minhag) and if I am not mistaken the SA says that that is the minhag and there are “some” who are noheg to break a glass.. interesting how it switched
Most weddings I go to they sing “If I Forget Thee O’Jerusalem” in Hebrew just before the Chosson breaks the glass.
#1 When was the last time you were in the chossen’s room before the chupah where the m’sader k’dushin places ashes on the chossen’s head (b’makom ha’tefillin)? That is where that is done universally to the point the halls’ managers usually have the lighter and paper ready in case someone forgot (as they have forgotten the ring, the kesubah, the kittle, the wine, the becher, etc.
Sorry, but minhag Yisroel is still Torah, and therefore guided and decided by the gedolei Torah. So even if it had “switched” as suggested, there would have been a reason.