by Susan Hanshaw, OMC
San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Officiant
As a non-denominational wedding minister, it is not uncommon that I include a ritual at the end of the ceremony that honors the Jewish heritage of the bride or groom. While many are familiar with the festive shouting of “Mazel Tov!” which brings cheer to the end of this ancient tradition, not all are aware of the symbolism of the ritual itself. Could it be because this is a ritual that offers an assortment of symbolic messages? Some of these include:
A reminder of the impermanence of this world even at the height of our greatest joy.
Hope that the couple’s love for one another will last forever.
A reminder of the frailty of human relationships, that even the strongest of relationships is subject to disintegration.
The humorous implication that this will be the last time the groom is able to put his foot down.
I have begun to see light bulbs replacing the traditional wine glass as the object to be stomped on. The bulb is said to produce a louder pop and not provide the risk of cutting through shoes like its wine glass counterpart. Just like the wine glass, the light bulb in wrapped in a cloth napkin or pillow and placed on the floor for the groom to break with his foot.
Mazel Tov!
