Thousands of Jewish Singles Seek Matchmaking Blessings at Annual Tu B'Av Ceremony in Amuka

Every year on the night of Tu B'Av, a significant event known as the "Rina Shel Torah" matchmaking blessing takes place at the tomb of Rabbi Yonatan ben Uziel in Amuka, northern Israel. This ceremony has grown into a major phenomenon within the ultra-Orthodox community, where hundreds of engagements are said to be initiated during this single night, earning it the nickname "The Night of Miraculous Salvation." The event is deeply rooted in tradition, as Tu B'Av was historically celebrated as a matchmaking holiday during the times of the Talmud.

The practice was popularized and strongly endorsed by the late Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, who identified this night and its special prayer sequence as a powerful spiritual effort for parents hoping to see their children happily married. The ceremony includes a unique "Pidyon Nefesh" (redemption of the soul) ritual and recitation of verses intended to remove spiritual obstacles to marriage. Thousands of names of singles from Israel and abroad are submitted for mention during the prayers, with many reportedly finding their match within the following year.

Matchmakers and community leaders highlight that about one-third of those who get engaged in the ultra-Orthodox world each year had their names mentioned during this ceremony the previous year. The event is attended by prominent rabbis, including Rabbi Binyamin Finkel and Rabbi Shraga Steinman, alongside the kabbalist Rabbi Mordechai Lieber Halevi Cohen, who leads the special rituals. The ceremony is marked by intense prayer, tears, and hope, reflecting the community's ongoing struggle with the challenges of matchmaking.

The event has become a beacon of hope amid what is described as a "generation's problem" of prolonged matchmaking periods for many young men and women in yeshivas and seminaries. The ceremony's growing popularity and the reported success stories have made it a central fixture in the ultra-Orthodox calendar, symbolizing a spiritual and communal effort to overcome personal and social challenges related to marriage.

"There are miracles and salvations," the community says, encouraging those still waiting for their match to participate in the prayers and rituals on Tu B'Av night, hoping to bring joy and fulfillment to many families in the year ahead.