The Chuppah Ceremony ○ Rejoicing in the House of the Tzaddik ○ The Cossack Dance ○ The Seven Beggars ○ Resurrection of the Dead ○ And the Upright Shall Exult

He Who Sanctifies His People Israel

In the city of Torah and Chassidus, Beit Shemesh, the wedding celebration of the great-granddaughter of our teacher and leader, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days), took place at a good and auspicious hour. Thousands of Chassidim and our community members flocked from all over the country to the 'Kinor David' halls, filled with anticipation and excitement for the holy appearance of the Tzaddik at the Chuppah (wedding canopy) ceremony.

At 7:45 PM, the Rav shlit"a arrived directly from his residence in Jerusalem to the Chuppah ceremony. Upon his appearance, a hush fell over the holy crowd, and the atmosphere was filled with awe and spiritual elevation. The Rav shlit"a was honored with performing the Kiddushin (betrothal ceremony) and reading the Ketubah (marriage contract) in his pleasant voice, which is full of emotion and holiness.

During the Sheva Brachos (seven wedding blessings), the uncles were invited one after another, and for the final blessing, our teacher and leader shlit"a was honored. At that moment, the entire public stood in awe and love, with all eyes fixed on the Tzaddik as he concluded the Chuppah blessings with "Who sanctifies His people Israel through Chuppah and Kiddushin."

The Sound of Joy and Salvation in the Tents of the Righteous

After the conclusion of the Chuppah ceremony, the Rav shlit"a went to an apartment prepared for him in advance in the city of Beit Shemesh so that he could engage in his Torah study until the time of the dancing at the Rejoicing of the House of the Tzaddik.

At 12:30 AM, he appeared again in his holy majesty at the wedding celebration. As he entered the hall, a mighty song broke out—"The sound of joy and salvation in the tents of the righteous"—and of course, the masses danced in their places according to the rhythm of the song, gazing toward the Saba Kadisha (holy grandfather)—our teacher and leader shlit"a—to draw from the radiance of his pure countenance and to cling to his great light.

The moment the Rav shlit"a entered the dance floor, he burst into a dance full of strength, leaping and dancing with all his might, with the joy of "five voices" and immense devotion. The Tzaddik took the groom in both his hands and danced with him and the in-laws for long minutes, his facial expressions reflecting the holy fire emanating from him. The Tzaddik's joy ignited the hearts of the crowd and transformed the entire place into a palace of joy and holiness.

Scenes of Splendor in the Rejoicing of the Tzaddik

As the Rav shlit"a sat at the head of the holy table, with the groom, the in-laws, and the grandfathers shlit"a by his side, the holy dances customary in the Rejoicing of the House of the Tzaddik took place. First, the group of "Cossacks" entered with a vigorous and energetic dance, dancing before the holy countenance with bows of respect and immense enthusiasm.

Afterward, the dance of the Seven Beggars (from Rebbe Nachman's stories) appeared, as Avreichim (young married men) dressed in white kitels (ceremonial robes) entered one after another, each portraying one of the beggars from the holy stories. The Rav shlit"a followed the dance with a shining gaze, and the crowd felt how the words of our holy Rebbe were coming to life before their eyes.

Later, the "Resurrection of the Dead" dance was also performed—a holy custom that the Rav shlit"a has often explained in his talks. At his instruction, the holy shtreimel (fur hat) was placed on the head of the "dead" person, who then rose to life and began to dance with great joy. The Tzaddik's face radiated a special light, and the entire crowd trembled with excitement, feeling a tangible sense of the Tzaddik who "revives the dead" during a wedding—a time when it is possible to revive the dead, according to the words of our holy Rebbe.

Words of the Living God

At the conclusion of the 'Resurrection of the Dead' dance, we were privileged to hear a holy discourse of flaming fire from his pure mouth—deep words that only a man of understanding could draw out. He gave of his glory and wisdom to his flock, and specifically addressed the groom, instructing him in the way he should go: "With wisdom a house is built," the secret of Shalom Bayis (marital harmony) which is a lifelong acquisition. He seasoned his wondrous words with all the treasures of the holy Torah. At their conclusion, he stood to say Kaddish, and at 1:50 AM, our holy Rebbe shlit"a left the hall. The masses accompanied him with mighty singing—"Light is sown for the Tzaddik, and for the upright of heart, joy." The streets of Beit Shemesh were filled once again with our community members late into the night as they accompanied the holy carriage back to his holy residence in Jerusalem, may it be rebuilt and established, departing with an elevation of soul over the great merit to rejoice in the joy of Tzaddikim.