25,000 Guests At Wedding In Israel

19-year-old Bride Marries Before 25,000 Guests

Jerusalem, Israel – when you marry the eligible grandson of the world’s Hasidic dynasty Belz Rebbe, the faithful from all over the world come to attend. That was the case when 25,000 people attended the wedding of 18-year-old Shalom Rokeach to his bride 19-year-old Hannah Batya Penet. The ceremony was done in traditional fashion according to the strict Jewish Orthodox rules of this Hasidic sect.

The young Shalom Rokeach is considered the heir-apparent of this large sect of Jews.

As the UK’s Independent explains, Rokeach is expected to assume a prominent position in his community as he gets older:

“Mr Rokeach is the grandson of the leader of the Hasidic Belz Rebbe dynasty – an ancient aristocratic family that has its roots in the 14th Century Poland. He is also the only male heir to the dynasty, and as such he is one day expected to head the community – one of the largest in Judaism.”

The crowds watched the young bride perform the traditional Mitzvah dance with the officiating rabbi.

The bride wore a white veil over her face, but it was not made of as thick material as other Hasidic Jews have used. According to their tradition, the thick veil is what the ancient matriarch Leah used to deceive soon-to-be husband Isaac into believing he was marrying his beloved Rachael.

Regardless, the ceremony was underscored with modesty which is an important characteristic of the Hasidic Jewish lifestyle. The clothing worn by the male attendees, or Hasidim as they are called, is the 18th century European attire of black overcoats or tunics with large furry circular hats called shtreimel. The wedding itself was a wonderful display of tradition.

The Jerusalem Post explained a bit about how the wedding of 25,000 guests was logistically managed:

“It is difficult enough at a regular wedding to see the ceremony under the huppa, but with so many people, even members of the family would have missed out – but for the many video screens placed in the area around the synagogue. This enabled the hordes of well-wishers to see the continuation of what many in hassidic circles consider a post-Holocaust miracle.”

Source material:
25,000 guests wedding
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2328892/The-bride-25-000-guests-Holding-sash-newlywed-19-waits-relative-perform-Mitzvah-dance-marries-Ultra-Orthodox-Jewish-family.html