A Lesson for the Residents of Petah Tikva at the Residence of the Gaon and

Last night, Monday, the eve of the 23rd of Adar II, our community members (Anshei Shlomeinu) from the city of Petah Tikva entered for a lesson at the residence of our teacher, the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days). Before you is a summary of the lesson:

The Rav shlit"a began the lesson regarding Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses our Teacher), who brought up the bones of Yosef (Joseph) with him. Afterward, he spoke about current events (inyana d'yoma) regarding the cessation of budgets for the yeshivas (Torah academies). During this, the Rav strengthened the idea that the main purpose of a person's actions in this world is to withstand trials (nisyonot).

Moving from one topic to another, during the lesson he spoke extensively about how the terrible Holocaust was decreed because of the assimilation that occurred in Germany. He also shared that in all the greatest kingdoms throughout history, the Jews were the ones in control.

After these words, he moved on to discuss the matter of Eliezer, who went to find a shidduch (marriage match) for Rivka (Rebecca). He cited the words of our holy Rebbe (Rebbe Nachman) in Torah 69 regarding how the Tzaddik knows everything that will happen to a person. In the midst of this, he gave encouragement regarding shalom bayit (domestic harmony), saying that a man should always bring something sweet home for his wife to make her happy and to strengthen her. Later in the lesson, he dealt with the issue of the "Ten Lineages" (Asara Yuchasin) and presented all the various opinions.

Afterward, he returned to the matter of Eliezer going to find a match for Yitzchak (Isaac) and enumerated the questions (kushiyot) he had regarding Avraham Avinu (Abraham our Father), and he spoke of the greatness of Rivka Imeinu (Rebecca our Mother). During these words, he brought the teaching of our holy Rebbe in Torah 66, stating that if a person has a difficulty or question (kushia) regarding the Tzaddik, they should cry out to Hashem. This is hinted at in the acronym of the word Kushia (קשי"א), which stands for "Shema Hashem Koli Ekra" (Hear, Hashem, my voice when I call).

After about forty minutes, the Rav shlit"a concluded the lesson regarding the dreams of Yosef HaTzaddik. He brought the words of the commentators on the interpretation of "the moon and eleven stars bowing down to me"—which alluded to Rachel Imeinu (Rachel our Mother). It is true that Yaakov (Jacob) seemingly became angry with him, saying, "Shall your mother rise from the grave to bow down to you?" But the truth is that Yaakov wanted to hint that if they had merited to nullify themselves (hitbatlut) to the Tzaddik—to Yosef—there would have been the Resurrection of the Dead (Techiyat HaMeitim). May we merit the Resurrection of the Dead and the complete Geulah (Redemption) speedily in our days, Amen!