Sefer Ohr Chochma (Darash, Adar) writes as follows: “The reason to break the glass at the chuppah is that the good spirit which emanates from His [Hashem’s] wisdom should rest upon the newly married couple. However, since there usually is a large gathering at the chuppah, perhaps that will be cause for ayin hara. Therefore, we break the cup in order that the ayin hara be consumed by the broken cup. The ayin hara here is due to the sitra acher – the one from the other side [a euphemistic reference to Satan] who constantly seeks destruction and strife.”
May it be His will that every Jew fill his heart with love for G-d and love for his fellow and as a consequence no strife or any other evil arise due to ayin hara. And in that merit may we witness our redemption, speedily in our days.
Rabbi Yaakov Klass, rav of Congregation K’hal Bnei Matisyahu in Flatbush, Brooklyn, is Torah Editor of The Jewish Press. He can be contacted at [email protected].