Liska/Rimanover Chassunah
In the Liska Beis Medrash of Boro Park moments before candle lighting time on Erev Shabbos Vayishlach, November 30, Aleksander Sender Friedlander was ennobled by his grandfather, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedlander, fifth Liska Rebbe and author of Chamudei Tzvi, with the traditional placement of a shtreimel on the head of a chassan.
Chassan domeh l’melech – a chassan is the equivalent of a king (Pirkei D’Rebbe Eliezer 17). Our sages declared that a chassan must be respected as a ruling king and, of course, a kallah must be honored as a reigning queen. That is why a chassan and kallah, before their wedding day, must not walk alone but be escorted. The placement of a shtreimel on the head of a chassan is traditionally performed by a person of distinction, such as a chassidishe rebbe, a rav, a rosh yeshiva or a grandfather.
Aleksander Sender, son of Rabbi Sholom Chaim Friedlander, was uniquely honored by his grandfather, a venerated chassidishe rebbe descending from a revered chassidishe dynasty.
On Sunday, December 2, chassidim gathered at the Tiferes Rivka hall in Boro Park to be part of the kabbolas panim for the chassan. Ladies gathered to welcome the kallah, Esther Miriam, daughter of Rabbi Chaim Elazar Wassertheil, Rimanover Rebbe. The chassan is also a grandson of Rabbi Avrohom Mordechai Safran, Kamarna Rebbe in Jerusalem.
The chuppah was held on a bedecked platform across the street from the wedding hall, in an open area ordinarily used as a parking lot. The Liska Rebbe, as mesader kiddushin, officiated, imbuing the joining of two chassidishedynasties with sanctity and blessing.
Singing and dancing erupted as the chassan and kallah were escorted into the wedding hall after the meal. The mitzvah tantz honoring the kallah by the chassidishe rebbes, fathers and grandfathers included, was a picture of joy and ecstasy.
The kallah’s father, the Rimanover Rebbe, is distinguished in his outreach and community work. His doors are always open and his table is always set and welcoming. The Rimanover Rebbe was a prime disciple and close confidant of Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter, zt”l, (1926-1996), sixth Gerer Rebbe and author of Pnei Menachem, for more than sixteen years. The Pnei Menachem served as rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Sefas Emes Ger in Jerusalem before he was anointed Gerer Rebbe in 1992. Given his relationship with the Pnei Menachem, the Rimanover Rebbe was privy to and participated in many discussions with Gedolei Torah and Jewish leaders. When the Pnei Menachem passed away, the Rimanover Rebbe returned to the United States.
The Rimanover Rebbe is a direct descendant of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Tarim, zt”l (1745-1815), Rimanover Rebbe and author of Tziyon Menachem. As prime disciple of the Noam Elimelech and Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg, zt”l (1726-1778), and as mentor to Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz, zt”l (1760-1827), the Rimanover Rebbe is considered a pillar of chassidism. Today’s Rimanover Rebbe continues his teachings.
The chassan is a great-grandson of Rabbi Yozef Friedlander, zt”l (1918-1971), Liska Rebbe and author of Tzvi Vechamid who survived the Holocaust, emigrated to the United States in1947, and established the Liska Beis Medrash in Boro Park. He is interred on Har HaMenuchos adjacent to the Belzer Rebbe, zt”l. The Tzvi Vechamid is a son of Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Friedlander, zt”l Hy”d (1874-1944), Liska Rebbe and author of Sharei Hayosher who was murdered in the Holocaust; son of Rabbi Chaim Friedlander, zt”l (1840-1904), Liska Rebbe and author of Tal Chaim; son-in-law of Rabbi Zvi Hirsh Friedman, zt”l (1890-1874), founding Liska Rebbe and author of Ach Pri Tevuah.
In addition, the chassan is a grandson of Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Heshel Frankel, zt”l Hy”d (1874-1944), Hivnover Rav and descendant of Rabbi Sholom Rokeach, zt”l (1783-1855), founding Belzer Rebbe known as the Sar Sholom; Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Dravrimdiker, zt”l (1740-1810), revered Berditchiver Rebbe and author of Kedushas Levi; and Rabbi Elimelech Weissblum, zt”l (1717-1787), Lijensker Rebbe and author of Noam Elimelech.
