Thousands at 180^th Hilulah of Rabbi Natan of Breslov
Meal of gratitude celebrating the third anniversary of the Rav’s release
Words of the Rabbis shlit”a
Musical production featuring leading Chasidic musicians with the participation of the “Malchut” and “Chasidim’lech” choirs
Songs of passion and arousal
Main address by Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a
Shir Yedidut of Rabbi Yitzchak Breiter Hy”d
Singing and dancing in honor of the Hilulah and the day of release
Photo gallery

In Breslov, a fire is burning!!

180 years have passed since the passing of the great disciple, yet his spirit and soul are still within us! His books, advice, and writing that he gathered and wrote with the blood of his heart from his great Rabbi, the Flowing Stream, Source of Wisdom, rest eternally in our hearts and are preserved in writing forever and ever. Also this year, we merited to hold the biggest Hilulah celebration in the world for our mighty and glorious Gaon, Moreinu Rabbi Natan of Breslov zy”a, the faithful disciple of the Flowing Stream, Source of Wisdom, the hidden light, Rabbeinu Nachman of Breslov zy”a, under the direction of the Gaon and Tzaddik, the light of our generation, Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a. Like last year, the Hilulah was marked by a meal of gratitude for the miracle of the release of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a. The Hilulah opened with the Maariv prayer in the courtyard of our Beit Midrash with the participation of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a, like every evening, with singing, dancing, and niggunim. After the prayer, the Rav shlit”a gave over a number of words of chizzuk about the greatness of the Hilulah day of Rabbi Natan, the light of the Seven Days, to use his holy words. He also spoke of the greatness of Asarah B’Tevet, when it is decreed in Heaven whether the Third Temple will be built or not.

“And for everything, Hashem our God, we thank You” – The Meal for the Hilulah and Gratitude

After Maariv, the crowds proceeded to the giant line of buses which filled Shivtei Yisrael Street, and the caravan departed for the Pavilion events hall. Thousands and thousands, from all sectors – men, women, and children – all gathered and came in their masses to the entrance to the events hall. For the thousands was waiting a feast of gratitude for the awesome miracles that we merited three years ago the day after Rabbi Natan’s Hilulah – the return of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a to his holy home after two years of concealment of the light of the Tzaddik, who was held captive in the hands of the evil empire. We must note the dedication of Rabbi Binyamin Dafan, who organized the feast of our community, with delicacies in abundance.

“And it was that when the musician began to play…” – Leading Chasidic musicians in unprecedented musical production

With Heaven’s help, we merited during this Hilulah to a giant musical production by “B.A.B. Productions” under the direction of the well-known Chasidic organizer, R’ Yisrael Ben Baruch, something unprecedented and seen only at large events in the Torah world. The evening was accompanied by the “Malchut” choir and “Chasidim’lech” children’s choir. Next to them stood the great singers of the Chasidic world, R’ Yanki Daskal together with R’ Yoel Klein with their pleasant voices. On their side stood the greatest musicians in the world who appeared on the stage of the central Hilulah of Rabbi Natan by “Ichud Chasidei Breslov Shuvu Banim” by B.A.B. Productions: R’ Shaya Berim on keyboard, R’ Yehuda Belti on clarinet, R’ Ahar’le Bender on the saxophone, R’ Srulik Lefkowitz on violin, R’ Yehonatan Porat on guitar. These musical giants accompanied the event with awesome song that ranged from deeply emotional to exhilarating music that reaches the heavens.

“He is the Rav and the disciple” – Words of the Rabbis of the Shuvu Banim community

At the event, the great long-standing students of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a spoke words of chizzuk about the greatness of the Hilulah day and of our mighty and glorious Gaon, Rabbi Natan. Among other things, they also spoke on the subject of Rabbi Natan’s directive of spreading the Torah of Breslov, and the effort and resources with which Breslovers will be able to become all the stronger.

“My soul is sick with Your love” – Songs of Emotion and Arousal

In the moments preceding the entrance of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a to the Hilulah, the musicians aroused the hearts of the thousands of participants in the Hilulah. Mainly these were Shabbat songs, as brought by Rabbinu HaKodesh and elaborated on by Rabbi Natan in Likutey Halachot, that Shabbat is the aspect of the true Tzaddik. During these exalted moments, the orchestra broke out with the song, “Tzaddik, Tzaddik K’Tamar Yifrach….” The thousands arose on their feet in honor of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a who appeared and ascended the platform, where he sat on his holy chair. Afterwards, he lit the candle in honor of the soul of Moreinu Rabbi Natan of Breslov zy”a. Afterwards were more minutes of song in honor of the Tzaddik, and emotional melodies gripped the hall. Moreinu HaRav shlit”a – “Your eyes behold the king in his beauty” – sat on his seat of royalty, swaying with devekut to the sound of the melodies of the heart that emerged from the pure mouths of Bentzi Kaltskin and the Chasidim’lech children’s choir. Ahhh… It’s impossible to fathom these moments of awesome exaltedness.

“The entire matter of Rabbi Natan was only being disparaged” – Main address of Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a

Silence fell on the thousands as Moreinu HaRav shlit”a, in his pure voice opened with the prayer before learning. “Today is Yom Kippur mamash” – with these words, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a began his holy address, which flowed like a river, a source of wisdom from a fountain that has no end. For nearly an hour, the packed hall reverberated with the Godly words said from his holy lips. And in his holy way, he skipped on mountains and hills, transitioning from Mishnah to Aggadah, with words that no intellect in this world can comprehend their depths.

Shiur Yedidut

After the uplifting shiur, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a began the niggun of Shir Yedidut of the Chasid Rabbi Yitzchak Breiter Hy”d. For long minutes, the arousing melody was sung. The orchestra added an innovative touch by punctuating the refrain of “Nachal Novea Makor Chochmah” with an uplifting and happy chord.

“For it is good to thank You” – Singing and dancing

After finishing Shiur Yedidut, they began to sing, “Heiveita Otanu Ad Kan,” and then, by itself, the joy burst open the heavens, and the heels rose up by themselves. The thousands of people rose from their places and through the power of the great joy, they danced and skipped in honor of the Tzaddik, to thank and praise Hashem for the day of release. There’s no describing the joy, song following song, for over twenty minutes of phenomenal joy. The hearts raged forth as Moreinu HaRav shlit”a himself rose from his holy chair and also began to dance and clap his hands for long minutes together with all the rabbis of the community. It’s impossible to fathom, describe, or put in writing the fire of awesome joy during these moments of joyful dancing. After some forty minutes of dancing, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a concluded with Kaddish and the thousands began to sing, “Or Zarua LaTzaddik Ul’Yishrei Lev Simcha!”