In Jewish tradition, the concept of repairing brokenness is deeply embedded in various rituals, texts, and practices. The idea stems from the understanding that life, relationships, and the world itself are imperfect and can experience fragmentation or brokenness. However, the tradition also emphasizes the idea of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tikkun (repairing oneself or a situation), suggesting that the goal is not to deny or ignore the brokenness, but to find ways to heal and restore wholeness.

Breaking the Glass at a Jewish Wedding

One of the most well-known rituals in a Jewish wedding ceremony is the breaking of the glass. At the end of the ceremony, the groom (and in some traditions, the bride as well) breaks a glass, often wrapped in a cloth. This is a multifaceted symbol with several interpretations, but it deeply ties into the themes of brokenness and repair.

Here are a few key meanings associated with the breaking of the glass:

1. The Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem: One common interpretation is that the breaking of the glass serves as a reminder of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, which are central to Jewish history and spirituality. The temples were seen as the focal points of divine presence and community, and their destruction marked a moment of profound loss. By breaking the glass, the wedding participants acknowledge this loss even in moments of joy. This connects to the broader Jewish idea that even in times of happiness, one should remember the sadness and loss that still exists in the world.
2. The Fragility of Life and Relationships: The glass also symbolizes the fragility of life and marriage itself. Just as a glass can be easily broken, so too can relationships be vulnerable. This serves as a reminder that the couple should handle their relationship with care, knowing that both joy and challenges are a part of life. The act of breaking the glass can be seen as a way of acknowledging that while things may be broken at times, they can also be repaired and rebuilt.
3. The Need for Repair (Tikkun): The breaking of the glass may symbolize the idea that even in a moment of joy, we acknowledge that the world is not whole. The couple’s marriage becomes a part of the ongoing work of repairing the world — making it better, more complete, and more whole. In this sense, the broken glass serves as a metaphor for the Tikkun or the act of bringing wholeness and healing into a broken world.
4. The Imperfection of Marriage: The breakage of the glass also reminds the couple that no marriage is perfect. Relationships go through their ups and downs, and the couple should strive to fix any brokenness that arises, working together to rebuild and strengthen their bond. This can be seen as an acknowledgment of life's inherent imperfections, while also emphasizing the importance of persistence, care, and love in the face of challenges.
5. Joy Amidst Sadness: There is also a deeper emotional layer to the breaking of the glass: it helps the couple and the guests experience a balance between joy and sorrow. The wedding is a time of celebration, but the broken glass represents that even amidst great happiness, life is full of sorrow, loss, and challenges. It reminds everyone present that life is complex, and moments of joy are often intertwined with memories of loss and longing.

Connection to Other Jewish Traditions of Repairing the Broken

The concept of repairing the broken or incomplete is central to many other aspects of Jewish thought and practice:

• Shalom Bayit (Peace in the Home): In marriage, the goal is often to create Shalom Bayit — a peaceful and harmonious home. This requires the couple to actively work through conflicts, misunderstandings, and disagreements. The idea is that no relationship is without challenges, but by engaging in Tikkun (repair), the couple can create a more complete and loving environment.
• Tikkun Olam: The broader concept of repairing the world, or Tikkun Olam, is another key aspect of Jewish thought. In the context of a wedding, the couple is invited to contribute to this work of repairing the world through their actions, values, and relationships. By creating a strong, loving relationship, they also contribute to the restoration of peace and goodness in the world.
• The Broken Vessels (Shevirat HaKelim): In Jewish mystical thought, particularly in Kabbalah, there is a concept known as Shevirat HaKelim (the breaking of the vessels). This idea suggests that when God created the world, the divine light was too intense for the vessels (the containers that hold the light) to withstand, causing them to shatter. The fragments of these broken vessels are scattered throughout creation, and the work of humanity is to repair these fragments and bring them back to wholeness. This idea resonates with the notion of restoring the broken pieces in our own lives, whether they are emotional, spiritual, or relational.

Conclusion

The act of breaking the glass during the Jewish wedding ceremony is rich with symbolism and deep meaning, particularly when viewed through the lens of the Jewish tradition’s emphasis on repairing brokenness. It acknowledges the fragility of life, the enduring presence of sorrow even amidst joy, and the ongoing need to engage in Tikkun — both in our personal relationships and in the broader world. It teaches that while brokenness is inevitable, the work of repair, healing, and rebuilding is a vital part of the human experience.

• Pick a design for your unique, hand-blown wedding heirloom. The glass and pouch are included in the package.
• Choose a color for your glass from the dropdown menu.
• Mazel Tov Glass will ship you a wedding glass in that color for your wedding ceremony.
• Your wedding glass will arrive in an embroidered white velvet pouch to safely contain the shards when smashed.
• Smash the wedding glass at your wedding ceremony. Mazel Tov!
• Return the pouch containing your wedding glass shards to Mazel Tov Glass in the pre-stamped box your order came in.
• Mazel Tov Glass will suspend your shards in clear molten glass to create the design that you selected and send it back to you. 

 

The gift said luxury

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I am so happy with Mazel Tov’s new product, the mezuzah! I sent it as a wedding present to my cousin and his wife and they couldn’t have been more pleased with the gift, especially since they were moving into a new place soon after the wedding. From my memory, the mezuzah had a footprint of about 6 inches by 3 inches. So, I knew it wouldn’t be a problem fitting with any doorway. To, me, it was the perfect size and with the silver backing, the gift said luxury. Thank you Mazel Tov Glass! — L.C., Pacifica, Calif.

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Most thoughtful gift you could possibly give someone

Yelp 5-Star Rating
This place has the coolest, most thoughtful gift you could possibly give someone. How cool to give them something they can have, break and recreate into something beautiful…a pure definition of transition into a marriage. A very cool idea and the customer service and helpfulness of the owner is top notch. Will suggest this as a perfect wedding gift for the sincere and thoughtful and possibly adventurous gift giver. Thank you and Mazol Tov! — Celia W., Brooklyn, N.Y.

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Such a great idea

Yelp 5-Star Rating
When I first heard about Mazel Tov I thought it was such a great idea. After a wedding is finished there is no souvenir of the ceremony itself. Mazel Tov Glass fills this void. The shards from the glass, used during the ceremony itself, were immortalized into a heirloom by this company of expert glassblowers. For my son’s wedding, I gave the “Something Special” package and the happy couple chose a beautiful bowl to be their heirloom from the shards. Now, the bowl holds and will hold all the thoughts and happy events of the wedding and marriage to come! — Helen S., Buffalo, N.Y.

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Fabulous Communication 

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Fabulous communication in helping me to make sure that we go our cup got to us in time for our wedding! Thank you so much!!! Can’t wait to see what we want to make with it!! – Layla from Etsy