THIRTEEN FOR MITZVOS • The Bar Mitzvah Festive Meal for the Youngest Grandson of

On Thursday, the fourth day of Chol HaMoed (the intermediate days of) Pesach, the eve of the 20th of Nissan 5785, a Bar Mitzvah seudah (festive meal) was held in our Beis Medrash (study hall) for the youngest grandson of our teacher, the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a—the pure youth Shimon, may his light shine, son of the Rav's son-in-law, the Chassid Rabbi Natan Rubinstein shlit"a, and grandson of the Mashpia (spiritual mentor) Rabbi Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein shlit"a.

The Bar Mitzvah ceremony took place in the prayer hall with the participation of dozens of young men from the youth group who merited to attend the Bar Mitzvah event. During the meal, our teacher the Rav shlit"a delivered words of Torah, beginning with his customary question for the Bar Mitzvah boy: "Do you want to be a tzaddik (righteous person)?" When the Bar Mitzvah boy answered "Yes!" with a shout, the Rav shlit"a spoke about how on the day of the Bar Mitzvah, one must ask the boy if he wants to be a tzaddik, and he must not hesitate but answer "Yes" immediately. In this merit, he will be blessed to be a tzaddik and a great Torah scholar!

Afterward, he delivered "words of the Living G-d" for nearly an hour. During the lesson, he spoke extensively about the passing of King David and the secret of "the dogs of the father's house are hungry"—explaining that only David was capable of subduing the klipah (impure shell) of the "dog," and now that he has passed, there is no one to do this. At the conclusion of the lesson, our teacher the Rav shlit"a played music, sang, and rejoiced with the Bar Mitzvah boy—his youngest grandson. Close to 8:00 PM, he ascended to his holy home for the Maariv (evening) prayer of Chol HaMoed with a large crowd.