Whoever Has Not Seen This Joy Has Never Seen Joy in His Life • The Great Hillula

Singing and dancing at Simchas Beis HaSho’eivah in honor of our holy Rebbe ○ Living words of Hashem about the greatness and exaltedness of our holy Rebbe ○ Thousands at the Hillula gathering ○ 213 years since his passing

18 Tishrei 5784—the Hillula of our holy Rebbe, the “flowing river, source of wisdom,” Rebbe Nachman of Breslov zy"a. As every year, this year too the great Hillula was held across the world, with thousands upon thousands from all over Eretz Yisrael and from around the world, at the Hillula gathering led by the Gaon HaTzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

This year the Hillula took place along the streets of Shivtei Yisrael and HaChomah HaShlishis. From 10:00 PM, the streets began filling and overflowing—thousands upon thousands from across the country. Alongside the Hillula meal, the masses began singing and dancing in honor of our holy Rebbe.

The joy intensified even more with the arrival of the Gaon HaTzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a a little after 11:00 PM. At first they sang heartfelt melodies; afterward, The Rav shlit"a delivered a fiery, holy talk for close to half an hour—strengthening everyone with words about the greatness of our holy Rebbe zy"a and about his ongoing influence in the world even after his passing.

After the lesson, The Rav shlit"a began the song “Yedidus,” composed by the tzaddik R’ Yitzchak Breiter hy"d: “He is our Rebbe, the source of wisdom.” When the singing ended, the dancing continued with even greater force. The joy burst forth from the hearts of the thousands—beyond description, especially when The Rav shlit"a himself rose to dance and rejoice in the joy of our holy Rebbe. For more than two hours they danced—with vitality, power, and burning enthusiasm. Naturally, the crowd did not remain on the sidelines: elders alongside children formed stormy circles in endless joy. Truly, about such joy it is said: “Whoever has not seen this joy has never seen joy in his life.” Toward 2:00 AM, The Rav shlit"a began singing “V’ye’esayu kol l’ovdecha.” The vitality and joy carried for great distances. Of course, the written word cannot contain such intensity: “And they will place upon You a crown of kingship”!! Thousands leaping and clapping with an excitement unmatched in all worlds!!!

A few minutes after 2:00 AM, The Rav shlit"a recited Kaddish Al Yisrael in memory of his father, R’ Chaim son of R’ Eliezer z"l, and departed to the sound of thousands singing: “Or zarua laTzaddik u’leyishrei lev simchah.”

An initial photo gallery from the event:

[caption id="attachment_58358" align="aligncenter" width="1054"] With living words of Hashem[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_58359" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] With singing and dancing[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_58360" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] The crowd of thousands at the Hillula[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_58361" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] The crowd of thousands at the Hillula[/caption]