Pidyon HaBen of Rav Berland’s Great-Great-Grandson

The Joy of a Great-Great-Grandson During Chol HaMoed Sukkos

The joyous Pidyon HaBen (redemption of the firstborn) ceremony for the great-great-grandson of our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, took place on Sunday, the 16th of Tishrei 5787, the first day of Chol HaMoed Sukkos. The baby is the son of R' Shmuel Isaac Zucker, may Hashem protect and sustain him, the son-in-law of R' Nachman Arul.

The Kohen officiating the ceremony was Rabbi Yitzchok Isaac Kahana, a Moreh Tzedek (halachic decisor) of the Edah HaChareidis, who sat alongside The Rav shlit"a. Family members and attendees gathered around the table to celebrate the joy of the mitzvah.

During the redemption, the traditional blessing was recited for the baby: "Just as he has entered into the redemption, so may he enter into Torah, into the chuppah (marriage canopy), and into good deeds," alongside the verses of Birchas Kohanim (the Priestly Blessing).

Rabbi Kahana: The Joy of the Festival and a Blessing for the Entire Year

Rabbi Kahana delivered words of inspiration in Yiddish before The Rav spoke. At the beginning of his remarks, he dwelt upon the special joy of fulfilling the mitzvah of Pidyon HaBen during the days of the festival, the days of joy.

He cited the verse, "And you shall rejoice in your festival," and its continuation, "and you shall be only joyful," along with the commentary of Rashi: "This is not an expression of a command, but rather an expression of a promise." In his words, he explained that the joy experienced during the seven days of the festival extends as a blessing for joy throughout the entire year.

He concluded his remarks with a blessing for The Rav shlit"a for length of days and good years together with all his descendants, and with a prayer that we merit to see the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple) speedily in our days.

The Words of The Rav and Documentation from the Event

Following Rabbi Kahana's remarks, The Rav shlit"a delivered words of Torah. Below is an extensive gallery from the joyous Pidyon HaBen: the Kohen alongside The Rav, the baby during the mitzvah, and the family members and participants of the event.