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and they became serious. Rab Ashi did a wedding for his son. He saw that the Rabbis were becoming very merry, so he brought a cup of white crystal and broke it in front of them and they became serious. The reason being, that as long as the Beth Hammiqdash (Temple) has not been rebuilt, we must remember the destruction of Jerusalem in our celebrations. And this is the origin of breaking a cup at a wedding.
There are different opinions about whether the cup should be of glass or earthenware, such as porcelain. In either case, the purpose is to remind us of our sadness that Jerusalem has not been rebuilt. In regard to this, I would like to comment on the following:
When the cup is wrapped in a napkin and trodden on, the guests do not see it and the purpose of breaking it, which is to sadden those present, has been defeated. (Obviously one

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Q. What is the source for the Hathan (bridegroom) breaking the cup after the marriage ceremony, by throwing it against a wall.
A. In the Babylonian Talmud it is written that Mar the son of Rabina did a wedding for his son. He saw that the Rabbis were becoming very merry, so he brought a precious cup worth four hundred zuz and broke it in front of them

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