What action does the groom perform during the wedding that symbolizes the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem?

The action that symbolizes the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem during a wedding ceremony is smashing the glass. This ritual serves as a powerful reminder of the historical loss experienced by the Jewish people, particularly the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE.

By breaking the glass, the groom (or sometimes the bride, depending on the tradition) is not only commemorating this event, but also invoking the idea that even in moments of joy, there remains an acknowledgment of sorrow and loss within the Jewish faith and culture. The sound of the glass shattering is meant to be loud enough to be heard by all the guests, serving as a communal moment of reflection that honors the deeper historical and spiritual significance of the occasion.

This act encapsulates the belief that joy and grief coexist, and even as a couple begins their life together, they pay homage to their collective Jewish history. The other actions listed do not carry this specific religious and historical symbolism associated with the Temple's destruction.