Glass is created through one of nature’s most remarkable transformations: It begins as sand, becomes molten fluid through intense heat, and emerges—traditionally shaped by human breath—as a transparent and delicate material. Glass has a long history in Jewish life and literature, from Talmudic references to modern-day Jewish law and custom. Read on for 13 facts about Jews and glass.
1. It’s Mentioned in the Bible
Glass has been around for a very long time—so long, in fact, that it’s even mentioned in the Bible! In the Book of Job, the greatness of Torah is described this way: “Gold and glass cannot compare to it. It cannot be replaced with vessels of fine gold.”1
2. It’s “Zechuchit” in Hebrew
The Hebrew word for glass is זכוכית, zechuchit. The name comes from the related word zach, which means clear or pure.2
3. It’s Smashed at a Jewish Wedding
At the end of a Jewish wedding ceremony—after the groom has betrothed his bride and seven blessings have been recited over a cup of wine—the groom stomps on a glass and breaks it.3 This custom recalls the destruction of the Temple, reminding us that even our greatest joys cannot be complete until the coming of Moshiach.
Read: Why Break a Glass at a Jewish Wedding?
4. You Can Feed It to Your Pet Ostrich(?!)
On Shabbat, items that have not been designated for use may not be handled, due to the prohibition of muktzeh. Here’s an interesting quote from the Talmud about carrying glass shards (indoors) on Shabbat:
“Rabban Shimon son of Gamliel said: It is permitted to carry glass shards, as it serves as ‘food’ for ostriches. This is true even if you don’t own an ostrich. Why? Because every Jew is a prince and is fit to own an ostrich.”4 (Ostriches consume small pebbles and shiny objects like glass to aid in digestion.)
(Please note that Rabban Shimon’s opinion is not accepted in Jewish law, and glass shards may not be handled on Shabbat, even indoors.5)
Read: Muktzeh on Shabbat
5. The Rabbis Discussed Its Ritual Purity
In Temple times, ritual purity was central to Jewish life. A person or vessel that had become ritually impure couldn’t come into contact with anything holy, such as terumah (the Priestly portion) and Temple sacrifices. Not every material could become impure, though. For example, wood, metal, and earthenware could, but stone vessels could not.
What about glass? Around the year 3650 (100 BCE), the Talmud tells us, the sages decreed that glass vessels can become ritually impure. Their reasoning? Since glass comes from sand, it is similar to earthenware.6
6. Koshering It Is Questionable
Vessels used with hot non-kosher food must be koshered before they can be used for kosher food. The specific laws vary depending on the utensil’s material and how it was used.
What about glass? Because of glass’s unique makeup, it’s the subject of debate among early halachic authorities: some say it can be koshered, some say it cannot, and still others say it doesn’t need to be koshered at all.7 In practice, it’s best to consult a rabbi.
Read: Can Glass Be Koshered?
7. Zebulun’s Blessing
When the Land of Israel was divided among the Twelve Tribes, the Tribe of Zebulun complained that while others received fields and vineyards, all they got was a hilly region near the coast. G-d reassured them by revealing that their beaches would produce some of the land’s most coveted items: the chilazon creature needed for the blue techeilet dye, the tarit fish, and a valuable type of glass known as “white glass.”8
Once abundant in Zebulun’s portion, the Talmud tells us that this prized material became a rarity after the destruction of the First Temple.9
Read: The Mystery of Techelet
8. King Solomon’s Compressible Goblet
Some sources mention a fascinating tradition: King Hiram of Tyre sent a unique glass goblet to his colleague, King Solomon of Jerusalem. This glass was extraordinary—you could compress it with your hands, and when you released it, the goblet would return to its original shape! The tradition continues that centuries later, this very goblet was in the hands of a certain ruler, who showed it to the local Jewish community.10
Read: 11 Facts About King Solomon
9. Serving Mourners in Colored Glasses
It was once customary to serve wine to mourners specifically in colored glasses. Why colored? Some mourners were poor and could only afford lower-quality wine. The colored glass would hide the dregs and spare them embarrassment.11
Read: The Meal of Condolence in Judaism
10. Perfect for Accurate Weights
To ensure fairness when buying and selling, weights need to be made of materials that won't change over time. Metal weights can rust and erode, leading to inaccurate measurements and unfair transactions. That’s why one of the recommended materials in Jewish law is glass—an enduring, rust-resistant material that preserves integrity.12
Read: Weight Watchers
11. Jews Were Expert Glassblowers
Jews have been engaged in the craft of fashioning glass since ancient times. There are records of Jewish glassblowers from the Roman era, and the Talmud teaches that blowing melted glass is forbidden on Shabbat13—showing that such craftsmen were active even then. Jewish artisans continued this craft across many countries and periods throughout history.
Read: The Glassblower Analogy
12. “Night of Broken Glass”
Glass lent its name to one of the darkest events leading to the Holocaust. On the night of November 9–10, 1938 (16 Cheshvan, 5699), waves of antisemitic violence broke out throughout Germany and Austria. Backed and coordinated by the authorities, members of the SS and other Nazi groups burned synagogues, vandalized Jewish-owned stores, and attacked Jews at random. This tragic event became known as Kristallnacht, German for “night of broken glass.”
Read: Some Facts About the Holocaust for Those Just Learning
13. Colored Glass in Kabbalah
Colored glass is used by the kabbalists to explain profound spiritual ideas. Rabbi Moshe Cordovero wanted to explain how infinite Divine energies can be channeled in specific modalities without losing their pristine state. To illustrate this, he used an analogy of water in colored glass: depending on the color of the glass, the water appears white, red, or green. But despite its appearance, its essential nature remains unchanged.14
Read: Rabbi Moshe Cordovero
