And It Shall Come to Pass Because You Listen • Shabbat Eikev in the Presence of

Also on Shabbat Parshat Eikev 5784 (2024), we merited an uplifting Shabbat in the shadow of our teacher, the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days). Before you is the full report of the prayers, lessons, and meals in the holy presence:

On Erev Shabbat Kodesh (Friday afternoon), the Rav went out for the Mincha (afternoon prayer) about forty minutes before sunset at 6:55 PM and began the singing of 'Ohr Zarua' (Light is sown for the righteous) for twenty minutes. After the singing, they stood for the Mincha prayer. At the conclusion of the Mincha prayer, he recited the Seder HaHisksherus (the order of connecting to the Tzaddik) - 'I thank You for setting my portion...' 'I hereby hand over...' 'I hereby connect...' Our teacher the Rav shlit"a says every word, and everyone repeats after him. Afterward, the Rav began Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming the Shabbat) with 'Lechu Neranena,' psalm after psalm with vitality and all the fire, life, and bren (burning enthusiasm). Then he began the pleasant singing of 'Lecha Dodi' for twenty-five minutes, repeating all the sections again and again with immense vitality. After finishing 'Lecha Dodi,' the Rav continued the prayer as usual, Arvit (evening prayer) with all the melodies in the Shuvu Banim style at the peak of vitality and joy. Afterward, the Rav shlit"a finished the prayer with the singing of 'Adon Olam' and 'Yigdal Elohim Chai.' Then, Zemiros (songs) for Shabbat Kodesh were added, which the Rav shlit"a is accustomed to saying together with the public - 'Shalom Aleichem,' 'Ribon Kol HaOlamim,' and 'Eishet Chayil.' He entered his holy home at 8:55 PM after the Friday night prayer, which lasted exactly two hours.

On Shabbat morning, the Rav shlit"a entered for prayer at 4:21 AM, almost two hours before sunrise. Our teacher the Rav shlit"a immediately said Birkat HaTorah (blessings over the Torah) and then began the Shacharit (morning prayer) in order, starting from Chatzos (midnight lamentation) - Tikkun Leah, and the morning songs. Korbanot (sacrificial readings). At 5:15 AM, the Rav shlit"a appeared on the platform and immediately began Pesukei D'Zimra (verses of praise) with melodies and great vitality. It should be noted that the Rav shlit"a moved with motions of holy flames in a very special way this Shabbat. A unique kind of vitality, such that it is impossible to describe these awesome intensities or put them into writing. Before 'Baruch She'amar,' the Rav wrapped himself in his Tallit (prayer shawl). During the singing of 'Ki Chol Peh Lecha Yodeh' (For every mouth shall thank You), the Rav shlit"a extended the singing for about ten minutes.

The Shemoneh Esrei (standing prayer) of Shacharit began two minutes after sunrise at 6:12 AM. After the conclusion of the Chazarat HaShatz (cantor's repetition), the Rav shlit"a gave a short lesson and began the Kriat HaTorah (Torah reading) for Parshat Eikev. In addition to those celebrating occasions and those observing Yahrtzeits (anniversaries of passing), as is his custom, the Rav shlit"a called up additional guests and invitees. The Torah reading lasted about forty-five minutes. The Haftarah (prophetic reading) was read by the son of the Rav, David Kuptermins, may Hashem protect him.

Immediately after the Haftarah, the Rav sang 'Zera Chaya V'Kayama' (Living and enduring offspring) for about twelve minutes. Afterward, the Rav sang 'Ki Lekach Tov' and they returned the Torah scroll to the Ark. Then the Rav shlit"a stood for the Musaf (additional) prayer. After the conclusion of the Chazarat HaShatz for Musaf, he finished the prayer until the end of 'Anim Zemiros' and also recited the Tikkun HaKlali (The General Rectification). At the conclusion, our teacher the Rav shlit"a made Kiddush (sanctification over wine) and gave a lesson for about five minutes. At 8:05 AM, our teacher the Rav shlit"a entered his holy home after nearly three hours and forty-five minutes of Shacharit prayer, Torah reading, Musaf, Kiddusha Rabba, and the lesson we merited.

At 7:25 PM, our teacher the Rav shlit"a entered for the Mincha (afternoon) prayer of Shabbat Kodesh on the balcony of his home with the saying of Kaddish, and began saying 'Brich Shmeih' and singing 'Yehei Ra'ava' (May it be the will) for ten minutes. Afterward, he read from the Torah - Parshat Re'eh - for three people called to the Torah. Immediately after, the Shemoneh Esrei prayer took place, and at the conclusion of the Shabbat Mincha prayer, which lasted about twenty minutes, the Rav shlit"a washed his hands for Seudah Shlishit (the third meal) on his spot on the balcony at the exact minute of sunset. As is his holy custom, he began with the first K'zayit (olive-sized portion) and started the songs of the third meal for about twenty minutes. After them, he sang 'Yah Ribon' for fifteen minutes, with the Rav shlit"a repeating all the verses again and again. Then he continued with the singing of 'Koh Amar Hashem Matza Chen BaMidbar' (Thus says Hashem, he found grace in the desert) for about two minutes, then moved to the singing of 'Koh Amar Zacharti Lach Chesed Ne'uraich' (Thus says Hashem, I remembered for you the kindness of your youth) for eight minutes. Afterward, 'Ad Heina Azarunu Rachamecha' (Until now Your mercies have helped us) for twelve minutes. At the end of the melody, the Rav began 'Tzur Mishelo Achalnu' and led the Ziman (grace after meals) over a cup of wine.

At 8:50 PM, the Rav shlit"a began the singing of 'Lamnatzeach BiNginos' (Psalm 67) for twenty minutes. Afterward, he continued with the Arvit (evening) prayer of Motzaei Shabbat (Saturday night) with melodies like a flaming fire. During the saying of 'Vayehi Noam,' our teacher the Rav shlit"a extended the singing of 'Baruch Hu Elokeinu SheBeranu Lichvodo' (Blessed is our God who created us for His glory) and the following song 'Hu Yiftach' (May He open) for eight minutes.

Only after nearly an hour of extending the aforementioned singing, the Rav performed Havdalah (ceremony marking the end of Shabbat) with the singing of 'Layehudim Hayta Ora...' (The Jews had light...) for about a minute. After Havdalah, the Rav washed his hands for Melaveh Malkah (the post-Shabbat meal) - 'This is the meal of David the King Mashiach.' Our teacher the Rav shlit"a sang all the Zemiros (songs) with vitality and a special pleasantness. Before the song 'Eliyahu HaNavi,' he gave a lesson for fifteen minutes. Then he continued the songs until the end; at the conclusion, he led the Ziman over the cup along with Sheva Brachos (seven blessings) for the groom Binyamin Goldstein, may Hashem protect him, the son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Silberberg, may Hashem protect him. He entered his holy home at 10:37 PM after an extension of three hours and twelve minutes that we merited to be together with him continuously from the Mincha prayer until the end of Melaveh Malkah. In total, throughout the entire Shabbat, we merited about nine hours in the holy presence on Shabbat Kodesh, 20th of Av, Parshat Eikev 5784.