Why do Jews break a glass at a Jewish wedding?
The custom of breaking a glass at a Jewish wedding comes from a medieval tradition that loud noises warded off evil spirits. Christian church bells come from the same time and idea. The glass was originally thrown against the north wall of the room, since the spirits were thought to come from the north. Today the custom is said to symbolize the breaking of the childhood commitments between the bride and groom and their parents. Usually a cheaper glass is used, and because of the extra noise, some rabbis use an old light bulb. If you want to check into this and other Jewish wedding customs, I got it from “The Jewish Book of Why” by Alfred J. Kolatch, and published by Jonathan David Publishers, Inc.
