Once Upon a Clear Blue Sky
In the parking lot of a New Jersey industrial district, a large white cloth rustled in the wind, barely held together by four PVC pipes. At the end of each of the four ends of the makeshift canopy stood a Hasid with a long coat and black hat or fur streimel. A sea of shtreimels encircled the parking lot, reminiscent of the european Shtetl of yesteryear, transported to the new world by way of its faithful.
The men’s voices vibrated, swaying to the tune of the Daled Bavos, a melody, niggun, composed by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Chabad Rebbe. Due to its holiness, this melody is reserved for special occasions. The song has four stanzas, each stanza is intended to elevate the singer and listener to the next spiritual realm.
There I stand under the blue sky, clutching the arm of the groom with my right arm and holding a glass containing a long beeswax candle with my left hand, it’s flame flickering representing the union of light and joy. To the other side stands the groom’s father, his eyes closed, swaying in his prayers for his son and new daughter-in-law. Clearly he’s done this before; clearly, I haven’t. I can hear the faint cries of the groom as he asks G-d to bestow his marriage with blessing. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wrinkled paper filled with the names of his loved ones and beseeches G-d on their behalf. I look up to the heavens to see…
