First Exclusive Photo: The Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

Our teacher, the holy Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Berland shlit''a, in a moving and exclusive photo—immersed in Torah study from morning until evening at his place of stay, preparing for the journey to the holy Kibbutz (gathering) in Uman for Rosh Hashanah.

It has been a week and a half since the holy community last saw our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, and now an exclusive first photo has arrived to quench our thirst. Even now, as we are accustomed to seeing our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, he is shown sitting and delving into the Torah with diligence throughout all hours of the day and night with complete composure.

This photo arrives amidst the preparations of Breslov Chassidim in Israel and throughout the world for the great annual journey to the holy city of Uman. This is a journey where tens of thousands of Chassidim, along with the common folk of Israel, despite all the difficulties, rise up and leave their families and the Land in the midst of the war. They travel a long and complex route through various countries to visit the holy gravesite of the "Flowing Brook, Source of Wisdom," Rebbe Nachman of Breslov zy"a (may his merit protect us).

The photo comes against the backdrop of reports regarding border closures and the cancellation of tickets for tens of thousands who had already purchased them. These many distractions combine to make it very difficult to concentrate on one's Torah study sessions, particularly the daily schedules during the month of Elul.

How fortunate are we to have merited in this generation to behold living Tzaddikim who place before their eyes only the study of Torah, a life of Emunah (faith) and Bitachon (trust), and a life of Avodas Hashem (service of God) in every situation.

We wish all of the Jewish people a good and blessed year; may you be inscribed and sealed for good (Kesiva v'Chasima Tova).

With Hashem's help, we will all see each other in Uman, together with our holy teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, at the holy Kibbutz (gathering) of Rosh Hashanah 5785.