Rabbi Yisrael Yitzchak Kanievsky said in emotional remarks on behalf of a fund for an orphaned bride and groom that the groom had been raised in his father’s home from birth. He made the comments ahead of the wedding, which is due in a few weeks, and said his late father, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, and his wife cared for the boy throughout his childhood.
Kanievsky described the groom as an orphan marrying an orphan, and said the young man lived in the Kanievsky household with his family from the day he was born. He added that several of the family’s other children had already married during Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky’s lifetime, with the rabbi writing letters and speaking to people to help them find support for their weddings.
According to the appeal, the current marriage is taking place after Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky’s death, and the family no longer has someone with the same ability to help. Kanievsky said that now, as one child is getting married, the family is facing serious difficulties.
A donation drive has been launched to raise 350 shekels from each contributor so the couple can start a new life and establish their home. Kanievsky offered a rare blessing for donors, saying that anyone who helps the couple will merit divine mercy and will not hear of tragedy in their own home or have orphanhood in their family.