With great splendor and dignity, on the night of the 15th of Shevat, the joyous wedding celebration of a great-grandchild of our teacher and master, the Gaon HaTzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, took place. This exalted event was held in the “Hichlei Malchus” halls in the Torah city of Bnei Brak.

The groom is the distinguished young man, Nachman Zucker (may he live long), son of Rabbi Shmuel Yitzchak Zucker shlit"a, son-in-law of the chassidic Rabbi Binyamin Cohen shlit"a; with the bride, daughter of Rabbi Nachum Moshe Aryeh Haas shlit"a, son-in-law of the chassidic Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Richter shlit"a.

THROUGH CHUPPAH AND KIDDUSHIN — The Chuppah Ceremony

As is fitting and proper for the joy of the Tzaddik’s household, already from midday the order of the event was announced on the information line, and the multitudes of our teacher and master’s students, shlit"a, gathered from all across the country to rejoice in the Tzaddik’s simchah.

At 20:10, The Rav shlit"a appeared at the chuppah ceremony. After arranging the chuppah and kiddushin (the halachic marriage rites), The Rav shlit"a was honored with reading the kesubah (marriage contract) with a special, sweet melody, as the entire great assembly stood with awe and love (b’dichilu u’v’rachimu), following every single word that emerged from his holy mouth. After the kesubah was read, the grandfathers were honored with the first three of the Sheva Berachos (Seven Blessings). When they concluded, the cup was brought to the holy one, and our teacher and master shlit"a recited all four remaining blessings and the final concluding blessing.

At the conclusion of the chuppah, The Rav shlit"a wished the groom and bride “Mazal Tov,” and to the singing of “Samei’ach Tesamach Re’im Ahuvim” (“Bring great joy to the beloved companions”), he departed from the chuppah ceremony with song and jubilation.

A VOICE OF JOY AND SALVATION — The Dancing Celebration

After the chuppah, The Rav shlit"a went out to an apartment that had been prepared for him in advance in the Torah city, so that he could engage in Torah study with a settled mind until the time of the dancing celebration. At 01:15 he appeared once again in his holy majesty in the “Hichlei Malchus” halls.

As he entered the dancing, the orchestra began singing, “Kol Rinah V’Yeshuah B’Ohalei Tzaddikim” (“A voice of joy and salvation is in the tents of the righteous”). The multitudes of students of the Shuvu Banim community from all across the country, who stood on the farentches (raised bleachers) like a dance encircling the Tzaddik, danced and swayed as one single body. The eyes of the entire public were lifted toward the holy countenance, following every movement with awe and love, with feeling and joy—“and rejoice with trembling” (v’gilu b’ra’adah, i.e., joy permeated with reverent awe). For long minutes there was only one circle, together with the groom and the mechutanim (in-laws), while the joy around him grew stronger and stronger like a spring flowing with gladness. During the dancing, The Rav shlit"a acceded to the family’s request to conduct a “mitzvah tanz” (a traditional, elevated dance of honor). The Rav shlit"a danced for several minutes with the gartel (ritual belt), with joy and tremendous deveikus (cleaving to Hashem).

YOUR FRUITS ARE SWEET — Tu BiShvat Tisch

After about half an hour of stormy dancing in the joy of groom and bride, The Rav shlit"a sat at the head of the pure table, which—as is customary on the night of the fifteenth of Shevat—was laden with fruits from the bounty of the Holy Land. The Rav shlit"a recited the blessing over the vine and distributed l’chaim (a celebratory drink) to the groom and to the mechutanim. Afterward, he recited the blessings over the fruits of Eretz Yisrael, in accordance with the custom of the day—the “Rosh Hashanah for the tree” (Tu BiShvat). After tasting from the goodness of the Land, he instructed that the fruits be distributed as shirayim (leftovers from the Tzaddik’s table, cherished as a blessing) to all of Anash (our community members) who stood on the farentches. Naturally, within mere seconds not a single fruit remained, due to the chassidim’s yearning to merit eating from the Tzaddik’s shirayim.

A DANCE FOR THE TZADDIKIM — The Holy Dances

At that time, the special סדר (order) of dances customary at celebrations in the Tzaddik’s household began, with the entire event conducted with focused intention and concentration around the holy countenance.

First, the “Techiyas HaMeisim” (Resurrection of the Dead) dance was performed. As every time, a deep emotion passed through the hearts of the entire public when The Rav shlit"a removed his shtreimel (fur hat) and handed it to his grandson so that he would “revive” the “dead one.” Along with the joyful niggun (melody) that announces the “revival of the dead,” the “Cossacks dance” appeared—young men from the youth group of the Shuvu Banim holy community—performed with great strength and majestic honor before the holy countenance. Immediately after that dance, the married men, dressed in a white kittel (a white robe worn on holy occasions), entered for the “Shivah Batalirs” dance. The Rav shlit"a followed the dances with an illuminating gaze, and great satisfaction was evident on his face.

LIGHT IS SOWN FOR THE TZADDIK

Throughout the entire time in the hall, many family members and friends merited approaching The Rav shlit"a and receiving the radiance of his face and his blessings. A little after 02:15, The Rav shlit"a left the hall, and the crowd accompanied him with uplifting song.