1. The Historical Context of the Wedding
The 10th day of Elul, Yud Elul—the tenth of Elul—in the year תרנ"ב (5652 — 1892), marks a significant event in Chabad history. This date is remembered as the wedding day of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the daughter of the Rebbe Maharash. The Rebbe Maharash, whose name was Reb Shmuel, was the fourth Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka married Reb Moshe Horenstein. Reb Moshe was the son of a distinguished and prominent rabbi, Zalman Shaul Horenstein. The marriage thus united two notable families within the broader Chabad community.
2. The Family of the Rebbe Maharash
Among the Rebbe Maharash’s children were the Rebbe Rashab (Reb Shalom Dov Ber), who succeeded him as the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, and his older brother, known as the Raza—Reb Zalman Aharon. Although the Raza was older, it was the Rebbe Rashab who became Rebbe after their father’s passing.
Their sister was Chaya Mushka, whose wedding is being discussed here. The early passing of their father left Chaya Mushka quite young at that time, and her two brothers took on responsibility for her care and wellbeing.
3. Arrangements for the Wedding
With their father no longer alive to oversee her marriage, both brothers—the Rebbe Rashab and the Raza—took an active role in arranging and facilitating Chaya Mushka’s wedding. The Rebbe Rashab personally signed and sent out invitations for his sister’s wedding.
In these invitations, he shared the joyful news that his sister would be marrying Reb Moshe Horenstein. Originally, plans were made for the wedding to take place on the 14th day of Sivan in Lubavitch. However, circumstances changed and ultimately, the wedding took place on Friday, on Erev Parshas Teitzei—the eve of Parshas Teitzei—which corresponded to the 10th day of Elul.
4. The Wedding Celebrations and Chassidic Customs
The previous Lubavitcher Rebbe provides a vivid description of this memorable event. The chuppah—wedding canopy ceremony—took place on Friday afternoon. On Saturday night (Motsi Shabbos Kodesh—after Shabbos), following havdalah, around nine o’clock in the evening, family members from both sides along with many chassidim—followers—gathered at the home of the Rebbe Rashab.
This gathering was referred to as a “tea event,” where guests enjoyed tea and warm water together in a spirit of joy and celebration after Shabbos and after the wedding itself. It developed into a lively melaveh malka—a meal held after Shabbos—with great happiness filling the room as more people arrived throughout the night.
5. The Chassidic Discourse in Honor of the Occasion
The festivities continued late into Saturday night. Around midnight or shortly thereafter, at about twelve o’clock or later, the Rebbe Rashab began to deliver a Chassidic discourse (maamar chassidus) in honor of his sister’s wedding. This added a deep spiritual dimension to an already joyous occasion.
This special attention may have been heightened by Chaya Mushka’s status as an orphan at her marriage—her father having passed away when she was still young—and by her brothers’ sense of responsibility to ensure she received proper care and honor at this milestone moment.
6. Summary: Significance within Chabad History
The wedding of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, daughter of the Rebbe Maharash and sister to both the Rebbe Rashab and Raza, to Reb Moshe Horenstein stands out as a significant event in Chabad history not only because of its familial importance but also due to its communal impact and spiritual atmosphere.
This event highlights both family devotion within leadership circles and cherished Chassidic customs surrounding major life events such as weddings—especially when marked by Torah teachings and communal celebration.