Fortunate are we, how good is our portion, at the Hilula of Bar Yochai, and how pleasant is our lot, in the merit of our master Bar Yochai

As every year, the city of Kiryas Joel was transformed into a sort of "ingathering of the exiles," as tens of thousands of Jews, men, women and children, gathered to rejoice and to take part in the grand "Hadlaka gathering" at "Meron of America," in honor of the Divine Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. It was held on the vast grounds between the Beis Medrash HaGadol in the Mivtzar HaKollelim and the adjacent areas of the surrounding streets. The elevated gathering was estimated by the State Police at over 65,000 participants, bli ayin hara.

Right after Maariv, at around 9:55, the Rebbe arrived at the holy gathering and went to the center of the dais of honor, which was filled with the Rabbanim, the Gaonim and Tzadikim, Rabbanim and Dayanim shlit"a. Upon arriving at the site, the Rebbe broke into tears and then danced fervently for several minutes. They began singing stirring niggunim, and after a short time of singing the Rebbe stood up and began delivering his holy words, ablaze with fire, on the Torah of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. He explained that Rabbi Shimon is likened to Shabbos, and that the power and segulah of Shabbos is to be guarded from evil desires. The holy Torah begins with "Bereishis bara," and "Bereishis" is an acronym for "Ohr Toras Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai." This was Hashem's answer to the ministering angels, who asked, "Will we come to sin before You?" Hashem said that through the power of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who has the same power as Shabbos Kodesh, one can be saved from all transgressions. And we pray to Hashem, "Be with the mouths of the emissaries of Your people, the House of Israel," that the holy Tanna should help ignite the flame in the heart of every Jew, and that in the merit of the holy Tanna we should be saved from all the trials here in this impure country. The Rebbe then continued with longer words of inspiration, with tears, about the salvations and cures that Klal Yisroel needs, and he pleaded with the holy Tanna to bless Jewish children, enumerating requests on behalf of Jewish children. "Anah Hashem hoshiah na, in the merit of the Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai," that things should change from bad to good and that we should be helped with whatever we need. He concluded with lengthy holy blessings for the entire assembly.

After the fiery words of Torah, they continued with stirring niggunim for several more minutes. The Rebbe sang along with great arousal and tears, and then the Rebbe went up to the special platform at the site of the "bonfire" and continued with stirring niggunim, especially "Vihyu rachamecha misgolelim," "Master of the Universe, have mercy already on Your little children," which was sung dozens of times and tore at hearts. Then the donors of the Hadlaka handed over the silver cruses from which the Rebbe poured oil onto the bonfire, and HaRav HaTzaddik R' Chaim Elazar Weiss shlit"a, Av Beis Din of Humenne, whose son, the distinguished philanthropist R' Yuda Weiss, had purchased the zechus of the Hadlaka, placed the large torch in the hand of the Rebbe shlit"a. For several minutes the Rebbe stood holding the torch while they sang the kabbalistic stirring niggun "Lekavod HaTanna HaElokiy." At about 11:00 the Rebbe lit the bonfire with holy emotion and then burst into a fiery dance at the bonfire in honor of the Divine Tanna, drawing myriads of Jews into fervent dancing.

After a lengthy time the Rebbe returned to the dais of honor, where they sang the songs of the day: "Bar Yochai," "Va'amartem," and "Amar Rabbi Akiva." Then dozens of circles formed among the multitudes of Jews, who danced for several more hours in honor of the holy Tanna.

During the dancing the Rebbe gave the first haircuts to nearly 70 three-year-old boys, talmidim of our holy mosdos from across Greater New York, who passed by like sheep. The Rebbe also put a yarmulke and tzitzis on them and gave warm blessings to the parents and grandfathers.

After the upsherin ceremonies the Rebbe shlit"a continued to encourage the dancing at the site, until about 11:50, when the Rebbe left the site and went home.

Fortunate is the eye that has seen all this! His Torah is a shield for us and enlightens our eyes; may he advocate well on our behalf, our master Bar Yochai

▫️ Satmara Niyes 🌴 ▫️