The Chuppah Ceremony ○ Joy and Dancing at the Tzaddik’s Celebration ○ The Dance of the Seven Beggars

On Monday night, the eve of the 5th of Elul, the wedding celebration took place for the great-granddaughter of the holy gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. She is the daughter of his firstborn grandson, the chassidic Rav R’ Nachman Zucker shlit"a, son-in-law of the mashpia, the chassidic Rav R’ Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein shlit"a. The chosson is the distinguished Naftali Hertz n"y, son of the chassidic Rav R’ Nachman Goldshmidt shlit"a, one of the prominent and respected members of our community in the city of Beit Shemesh. The wedding celebration was held in the city of Torah, “Modi’in Illit,” with the participation of the holy gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. At 20:00, the chuppah ceremony began, with The Rav shlit"a honored to officiate the chuppah and kiddushin and to read the kesubah. After the kesubah was read, The Rav was honored with the first blessing. The remaining blessings were given to relatives of the chosson and kallah, among them: the chosson’s grandfather—Rabbi R’ Yosef Goldshmidt shlit"a; the kallah’s grandfather—the chassidic Rav R’ Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein shlit"a; and the one who gladdens hearts, the kallah’s uncle—Rabbi Yaakov Zucker shlit"a. With the final blessing, The Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, concluded in his pleasant voice. After the chuppah, The Rav shlit"a left the hall and traveled to a place of rest in Modi’in Illit, where he remained and immersed himself in Torah study until close to midnight. Then, in his dignified bearing and distinctive attire, he set out toward the hall to rejoice with the chosson and kallah.

Thousands from across the country came to take part in the joy of the Tzaddik’s household, and they danced in celebration of the chosson and kallah for many long hours. At 12:41, The Rav entered the gates of “Nofei Illit” halls. Hearts surged, and the joy doubled with the singing of “Kol rinah vishu’ah b’ohalei tzaddikim” (“The sound of song and salvation is in the tents of the tzaddikim”). Despite his advanced age, The Rav shlit"a sang and danced for a long time with great vitality and tremendous joy—like David in his time, who danced with all his might! During the dancing, they formed the circle of “The Seven Beggars,” according to the Breslov custom. To the music of the orchestra, all the veteran chassidim danced in a circle in honor of the chosson and kallah. After the dance, they approached The Rav shlit"a one by one, kissed his holy hands, and received his blessing with great joy.

Before you is an initial photo gallery from the celebration in the Tzaddik’s home: The photos are courtesy of “After the Tzaddik”—Naftali Ernesti, Shimon Shavi, Natan Amzaleg: