How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Oh," [the waitress] said. "I have never seen a Jew before. Can I see his horns?" (15.5)
The idea that Jews have horns is a your average stock anti-Semitic belief, which Alex refers to in order to show how unlike the waitress he is—even though he believed that Jews looked different just a few chapters ago. By getting to know Jonathan, he is starting to be more accepting of his culture—and he can see for himself that Jonathan's head is nice and smooth.
Quote #8
The recitation of the seven blessings was officiated by the Innocuous Rabbi, and at the proper moment my grandfather lifted the veil of his new wife—who gave a quick, enticing wink when the Rabbi was turned to face the ark—and then smashed the crystal, which was not really crystal but glass, under his foot. (16.280)
Here we see a traditional Jewish wedding, with one small change: since the family is poor, they can't afford to smash crystal, just a glass. Traditions have to adapt depending upon means.
Quote #9
There is a sense in which the bride's family had been preparing their house for her wedding since long before Zosha was born, but it wasn't until my grandfather reluctantly proposed […] that the renovations achieved their hysterical place. (19.1)
For rich families with daughters, the wedding is a big deal that's being planned almost from the daughter's birth. There must not be much else to do in a rural village like Trachimbrod—or a post-industrial civilization like 21st century America.