On the 18^th of Tishrei, the night of the third day of Chod HaMoed Sukkot, the event of the holy Yahrzeit of the Holy Light, Rabbeinu Nachman ben Simcha, ben Feiga of Breslov zy”a (may his merit protect us), took place with the participation of the Gaon and Tzaddik Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a with the holy community of Breslov Shuvu Banim and the participation of the multitudes of Israel.

On this great day, in which we celebrate the holy Hilulah and mark 214 years since the passing of the head of all Israel, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, the largest Hilulah in the world was held, dedicated totally in honor of the soul of the Tzaddik, Foundation of the World.

Multitudes of Rabbis, Chasidim, dignitaries, and regular members of the Jewish community gathered together in the Jerusalem streets, with the men celebrating throughout the length of Rechov Shivtei Yisrael, and with completely separation, the women celebrated on Rechov HaHoma HaShlishit, where the holy sights from the Hilulah were displayed for them on a giant screen that was put up specially for this holy event. Before the main celebration, a traditional meal was held at the “Nechamat Tzion” Talmud Torah building on Rechov Ido HaNavi. At 12:00 A.M., the participants in the meal joined the multitudes of celebrants on Rechov Shivtei Yisrael, where the orchestra began to rouse them with holy songs and dancing in honor of the event. At around 1:30 A.M., Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a arrived at the central platform which was set up specially for the event. The Rav shlit”a sang and danced on the platform in honor of the holy day, with everyone joining him in the celebration and holy, fiery devekus (clinging to God). After the hearts were prepared through the power of the holy songs, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a gave over his holy words in honor of this moving event. For some forty minutes, the Rav shlit”a spoke about the greatness of Rabbeinu Nachman of Breslov, and how Rabbeinu can return everyone in complete repentance:

“You need to know that Rabbeinu Nachman is the primordial light. This is the first soul that Hashem created. Rabbeinu is the hidden light, the light of the Seven Days. Now is the holiest day of the year. This is Yom Kippur, the Hilulah day of Rabbeinu…”

After the holy shiur, Moreinu HaRav Berland shlit”a sang together with the assembly the “Shir Yedidut” of Rav Yitzchak Breiter zt”l H”yd, the song which Breslov Chasidim traditionally sing every Shabbat night after the Maariv prayer, and especially on the holy Yahrzeit of Rabbeinu Nachman. Afterwards, the Rav shlit”a continued together with the orchestra and community with niggunim of Breslov and niggunim of devekus.