The Chuppah Ceremony ○ Joy of the House of the Tzaddikim ○ The Cossack Dance ○ The Seven Beggars ○ Resurrection of the Dead ○ The Holy Discourse ○ And the Upright Shall Exult

On Thursday night, the eve of the 4th of Elul, the wedding celebration of the great-grandson of The Rav shlit"a took place. The groom, R' Shmuel Isaac, is the son of his beloved grandson, Rabbi Naftali Hertz Chaim Zucker shlit"a, and the bride is the daughter of Rabbi Nachman Errol shlit"a, son-in-law of the Mashpia (spiritual mentor) Rabbi Shimshon Wallach shlit"a, one of the prominent students of Rabbi Berland shlit"a. The joy of the Tzaddik is the joy of all Anash (our community).

#Who Sanctifies His People Israel

Shortly after sunset, masses of Chassidim, students of Rabbi Berland shlit"a, flocked to the Chuppah (wedding canopy) ceremony, which was held at the 'Nof Illit' halls at the entrance to the Torah city of Modi'in Illit, as the light of the Tzaddik illuminated the faces of the crowd. While melodies of emotion and spiritual awakening played in the background, the vehicle of The Rav shlit"a appeared, arriving just in time for the Chuppah ceremony which began at 8:15 PM.

The bride's uncle, Rabbi Chaim Reicher, sang 'Mi Adir' with deep feeling, and Rabbi Berland shlit"a was honored with officiating the marriage and Kiddushin (betrothal). After the breaking of the glass and the blessing of Mazel Tov, he read the Ketubah (marriage contract) with pleasantness and holy fire.

The first two blessings were given to the bride's grandfather, Rabbi Yerachmiel Errol shlit"a. The third blessing – the groom's uncle, Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Godlevsky shlit"a; the fourth blessing – the groom's uncle, Rabbi Chaim Reicher shlit"a; the fifth blessing – the groom's uncle, Rabbi Aaron Cheshin shlit"a; the sixth blessing – the bride's brother, Rabbi Shmuel Isaac Errol shlit"a. The masses answered "Amen" with a stirred voice that shook the hearts and rose to the heart of heaven.

The final blessing was given to Rabbi Berland shlit"a. After completing the Sheva Brachos (seven blessings), he wished Mazel Tov to the groom and bride and all the honored guests, showering them with his blessings for marriage matches, for zera shel kayama (viable offspring), and for all good things. The massive crowd answered "Amen" with great excitement, and amidst the singing of 'Sameach Tesamach,' The Rav shlit"a left the Chuppah ceremony for an apartment in the 'Green Park' neighborhood of the city, where he prayed Arvit (evening prayer) and engaged in his Torah study until close to midnight.

#The Voice of Song and Salvation in the Tents of the Tzaddikim

The masses of Chassidim were invited to participate in the joy of the House of the Tzaddik with a special royal feast starting from 9:30 PM, along with dances of joy and jubilation to gladden the groom and bride and to merit the "five voices" of joy.

At 12:35 AM, Rabbi Berland shlit"a appeared in his holy majesty, together with the groom, at the wedding celebration, and the joy intensified sevenfold. The orchestra broke into the melody 'The voice of song and salvation in the tents of the Tzaddikim,' and hundreds of Chassidim standing in a semi-circle cheered with a voice of jubilation and song, their hearts full of upliftment at the joy of the House of the Tzaddik, which is the collective joy of all Anash (our community).

Rabbi Berland shlit"a began to dance with the groom, the parents, and family members for about forty minutes, leaping and dancing with all his might and with supernatural strength, while an immense state of Dveikus (attachment to the Divine) rested upon his face. One after another, the family members merited to dance with the groom, and in every corner, the joy of the House of the Tzaddik was evident.

It was particularly special when Rabbi Berland shlit"a held onto his beloved student, the Mashpia (spiritual mentor) Rabbi Shimshon Wallach shlit"a, the bride's grandfather, for a long time. Despite his great weakness, he did not give up, and with supernatural strength, he danced together with his Rebbe—a sight that strengthened hearts and illustrated the words of our Sages: "The Ark carries its carriers" (meaning the holy task supports those who perform it).

#And They Dance and Rejoice Before the Groom

At the conclusion of the dancing, Rabbi Berland shlit"a sat at the Tish (ceremonial table) with the groom, the grandfathers shlit"a, and other dignitaries by his side. Before The Rav shlit"a, a group of Cossack dancers entered and began the Cossack dance with a bow of respect before his holy face. At the end of this special and joyous dance, they approached to receive his pure blessing and were greeted with a radiant countenance. This dance stirred longings for previous generations who also danced for the sake of Heaven to gladden the heart of the Tzaddik.

#"And the Beggar Said, Behold I Have Come to You for the Wedding"

With the conclusion of the 'Cossack Dance,' the young men of the Shuvu Banim Kollel entered one after another, dressed in white Kittels (robes) for the 'Seven Beggars' dance. Each man portrayed the unique characteristic of a 'Beggar' from one of the seven days of the wedding, as told by Rebbe Nachman in the 13th story of the holy book 'Sippurei Ma'asiyos' (Rebbe Nachman's Stories). This custom is performed inspired by the aforementioned story, and besides gladdening the groom and bride, this dance has the power to bring about salvations and awaken immense mercy for all of Israel. After the conclusion of the dance, which lasted many minutes, the men passed before Rabbi Berland shlit"a and merited to be blessed by him.

#Reviving the Dead with His Word

Afterward, the 'Techiyas HaMeisim' (Resurrection of the Dead) dance took place. As is well known, Rabbi Berland shlit"a has spoken much over the years about the greatness of this dance at a wedding celebration, explaining that this custom is performed to show that at a wedding, it is possible to revive the dead in a literal sense. The holy task was undertaken by the grandson and attendant R' Dov Zucker, who donned different garments for the sake of gladdening the groom and bride, along with the young man Nachman son of R' Shmuel Isaac Zucker. The act of 'Resurrection' itself was performed by R' Dov through the instruction of The Rav shlit"a to place the Shtreimel (traditional fur hat) that adorns The Rav upon the 'dead man,' and the 'dead man rose to life,' and the two broke into a dance in joy of the groom and bride.

#At a Wedding One Can Revive the Dead

With the conclusion of 'Techiyas HaMeisim,' Rabbi Berland shlit"a delivered words of Torah regarding the groom and bride, mentioning that at a wedding one can revive the dead, and in the merit of the dancing, we will all merit to be in Uman and to see the complete Geulah (Redemption) speedily in our days. Thus, the joy was felt not just as a private celebration, but as a preparation for the eternal joy that is soon to come.

Afterward, Rabbi Berland shlit"a departed to the sound of the singing of 'Light is sown for the Tzaddik, and for the upright of heart, joy,' which accompanied him on his way back to his holy home close to 2:10 AM.

Our blessing is one to the crown of our head and our glory, Rabbi Berland shlit"a – that he should merit to rejoice many more times at the weddings of his great-grandchildren and descendants with health of body and supreme light, and lead us in his kingdom with eternal joy. With the coming of Yinon (Mashiach) and our King at our head speedily in our days, Amen and Amen!

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