Help: jewish weddings:bottle stomping

Subject: jewish weddings:bottle stomping
From: GUEST,Curious George
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:26 PM

What is the reason behind stomping on bottles at Jewish weddings? C. George

Subject: RE: Help: jewish weddings:bottle stomping
From: Chocolate Pi
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:40 PM

It's a reminder that the temple at Jerusalem was destroyed; even in the midst of the joy of a wedding, there is sorrow at the destruction of that prior glory. Traditionally, I think it's often a glass, not a bottle. My mother tells the story that she was worried someone would get hurt stomping on the glass at my parents' wedding, so she sewed a lightbulb instead of a glass inside the little ceremonial bag, which shattered more easily.

Chocolate Pi

Subject: RE: Help: jewish weddings:bottle stomping
From: GUEST,Okiemockbird
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:41 PM

Tradition!

One scholar thinks it was originally a custom of Ukranian Christians that was adopted by their Jewish neighbors. Among the Christians (so this scholar informed me) the idea was that whichever of the married couple reached and broke the glass first (it was a competition) would rule the marriage.

Among Jewish folk the custom is subject to varying interpretations. One is that it represents the bride's maidenhead(query: is the custom then NOT used at the marriage of a widow ? I don't know). Another is that it represents the dispersion of the Jewish people. One interpretation which I have NOT heard, but which I think deserves to become more widespread, is that the glass from which the couple drink the first common drink of their married life should never be used for any other purpose. All glasses break at last, but let this one be broken now, rather than in some pointless future accident.

T.

Subject: RE: Help: jewish weddings:bottle stomping
From: Willie-O
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 12:42 PM

Uh, its supposed to be a wine glass, not a bottle.

While waiting for a knowledgable person to help with your query, here's a true story. A few years ago I played guitar at an outdoor Jewish wedding at a farm. A lot of the guests were city people who really thought they were in primitive circumstances. The ceremony was proceeding somewhat slowly. All the groom's elderly Jewish aunts were kvetching on the porch where I was playing--and I distinctly heard one say "Oy vay, the rain. Oy vay, the mosquitoes. BREAK THE GLASS ALREADY!"

W-O

Subject: RE: Help: jewish weddings:bottle stomping
From: MMario
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 01:16 PM

"One interpretation which I have NOT heard, but which I think deserves to become more widespread, is that the glass from which the couple drink the first common drink of their married life should never be used for any other purpose. All glasses break at last, but let this one be broken now, rather than in some pointless future accident. "

oddly enough, this is the ONLY explanation I had ever heard for it up until now.

MMario

Subject: RE: Help: jewish weddings:bottle stomping
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 02:25 PM

If you want a definitive answer from an Orthodox Rabbi, go to "Ask the Rabbi" and search the archives for weddings. Quite an interesting commentary on the subject.

Subject: RE: Help: jewish weddings:bottle stomping
From: GUEST,Jack The Lad
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 03:31 PM

The only explanation I have ever heard- abroad or here in Israel- is that the breaking glass is in memory of the destruction of the Temple, as Chocolate Pi explains. Attending my sister-in-law's second marriage, the only glasses around were Duralex, which is hard to break, so I suggested to the rabbi that we wrap up a light bulb. He was shocked and said it wouldn't be a real wedding- so Chocolate Pi, I'm sorry to have to tell you....:-) PS my new brother-in-law, (at 68 yrs old) broke the Duralex glass first stomp. The couple is very happy thank you. Jack The Lad

Subject: RE: Help: jewish weddings:bottle stomping
From: Troll
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 03:57 PM

When my Wife and I got married we eloped to Georgia where there's no waiting period. We took a wine glass with us. I will never forget the look on that Georgia J.P.'s face when we broke that glass. It was priceless. It's one of our fondest memories.

troll

Subject: RE: Help: jewish weddings:bottle stomping
From: Art Thieme
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 04:26 PM

I've ben told that it's symbolic of stomping on the hearts of all of the grooms old girlfriends.

Art