The 18th of Tishrei 5785, the night of the third day of Chol HaMoed (the intermediate days of) Succos, the holy Yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of the Butzina Kadisha (holy lamp), our Rebbe Nachman son of Simcha and son of Feiga of Breslov zy"a (may his merit protect us), took place with the participation of our teacher, the Rebbe, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days) in the holy community of Breslov Shuvu Banim, and with the participation of tens of thousands of the Jewish people.

On this great day, when the holy Hillula (celebration of a Tzaddik's passing) is celebrated marking 214 years since the passing of the head of the Children of Israel, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, the largest Hillula in the entire world was held in honor of the soul of the Tzaddik Yesod Olam (Tzaddik who is the foundation of the world).

Tens of thousands of rabbis, Chassidim, prominent figures, and the general Jewish public crowded together in the city streets. Along Shivtei Israel Street in the Holy City of Jerusalem, the men celebrated, while in complete separation, the women rejoiced on HaChoma HaShlishis Street, where all the holy scenes from the Hillula were projected for them on giant screens set up especially for the holy event.

Before the great joy began, the traditional seudah (festive meal) took place in the "Nechamat Zion" Talmud Torah building on Ido HaNavi Street. At 12:00 AM, the diners joined the tens of thousands arriving at Shivtei Israel Street, where the orchestra began to uplift those gathered with songs and holy dances in honor of the occasion.

Toward 1:30 AM, our teacher, the Rebbe, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, arrived at the central stage that was specially erected for the event. The Rav shlit"a sang and danced on the stage in honor of the holy day, joined by the tens of thousands in joy and the dveikus (spiritual attachment) of holy fire.

After hearts were prepared through the power of holy melodies and songs, our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a delivered his holy words in honor of the moving occasion. For 40 minutes, the Rav shlit"a spoke of the greatness of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, and how Rebbe Nachman can bring everyone back in complete teshuvah (repentance):

"One must know that Rebbe Nachman is the Primordial Light; this is the first soul that Hashem created. Rebbe Nachman is the Or HaGanuz (Hidden Light), the Light of the Seven Days. Now is the greatest day of the year, it is Yom Kippur, the day of Rebbe Nachman's Hillula..."

After the holy lesson, our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a sang with the crowd "Shir Yedidut" (Song of Friendship) by Rabbi Yitzchak Breiter zt"l Hy"d (may Hashem avenge his blood), the holy song that Breslov Chassidim are accustomed to singing regularly every Friday night after the Maariv (evening) prayer, and especially on the holy Yahrtzeit of Rebbe Nachman. Afterward, the Rav shlit"a continued together with the orchestra and the crowd with Breslov melodies and songs of dveikus (spiritual attachment).

Before you is a comprehensive and spectacular photo gallery from the holy Yahrtzeit of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov:

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