The Shidduch
Children & shidduchim
The Baal HaTanya (Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi) desired to make a shidduch with the descendants of the Meor Eynaim. He once came to the Meor Eynaim in Czernoble seeking a match for his granddaughter, the daughter of his son, Rav Dov Ber.
The Meor Eynaim brought him into the next room, where his grandchildren were sleeping. “Select the one that you want,” he said, “except for Aharon, who is already a chassan.”
The Baal HaTanya placed his hand on the head of each sleeping child. When his holy hand rested on the head of Rav Yaakov Yisroel, he declared, “This one is of my mind.” At age sixteen, on the 6th of Shevat 5571, in Liadi, Rav Yaakov Yisroel married Devora Leah, the daughter of Rav Dov Ber, the Mittler Rebbe of Chabad.