Hasidic Matchmaking Custom Sees Dozens of Youths Called to Torah
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Dozens of unmarried young men in the Kretschneff Hasidic dynasty were called to the Torah reading last Saturday as a spiritual remedy for finding spouses. The custom, originating with the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Kretschneff, has seen success in the past. The current Rebbe of Kretschneff Jerusalem officiated, dividing the Torah portion into numerous readings for the eligible youths. He later blessed them to find suitable partners and build faithful homes.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dozens of unmarried young men were called to the Torah reading as a matchmaking remedy.
- The custom took place at the Beit Midrash of the Rebbe of Kretschneff Jerusalem.
- The practice originates with the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Kretschneff.
- The current Rebbe officiated the ritual last Saturday.
- Six youths who participated four years ago all became engaged that year.
Dozens of unmarried young men, of marriageable age, were called to the Torah reading last Saturday as a spiritual remedy for finding a suitable spouse soon. The custom took place at the Beit Midrash of the Rebbe of Kretschneff Jerusalem.
The practice originates with the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Kretschneff, who would call up older yeshiva students for the Torah reading of the Parsha of Chayei Sarah, which deals with matchmaking. The reading segment used for this custom extends from the beginning of the portion to the verse "And she said, I will go," which symbolizes Rebekah's agreement to marry Isaac.
The previous Rebbe first performed this ritual when his eldest son, the current Rebbe of Kretschneff Jerusalem, was a bachelor of marriageable age. Shortly after this reading, the current Rebbe became engaged.
Four years ago, six young men from the Hasidic community participated in this ritual, and all became engaged within that year. Last Saturday, dozens of youths seeking a match participated. The current Rebbe, acting as the Torah reader, divided the reading into numerous segments, including his two grandsons who are of marriageable age. Later, in a separate prayer quorum, the Rebbe again served as the Torah reader, dividing the portion into dozens of readings so that all the eligible young men could be called up.
Following the prayer service, during a celebratory Kiddush, the Rebbe spoke about the importance of marriage and blessed the young men, praying they would soon find their suitable partners and build faithful homes based on Torah and Hasidism.