In the Merit of Joseph the Tzaddik • The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland

During the night of Monday, the eve of the 1st of Menachem-Av (Rosh Chodesh), the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days) entered the city of Shechem under military escort to visit the Tziyun (tomb) of Joseph the Tzaddik and to offer fervent prayers for all of Israel.

It has been about three years (since the 1st of Adar I, 5782) since our teacher, the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, last visited the tomb of Joseph the Tzaddik in Shechem. This morning, Monday, the 1st of Menachem-Av, the week of Parshat Devarim-Chazon, our teacher the Rav shlit"a participated in an entry for renovations at the tomb of Joseph the Tzaddik. Accompanied by security forces, he entered the city of Shechem following clashes with many terrorists. At 1:48 AM, the secured convoy arrived at the holy Tziyun (tomb) of Joseph the Tzaddik, located on the outskirts of Shechem next to the Balata refugee camp.

Our teacher the Rav shlit"a recited four Tikkun HaKlalis (the General Rectification prayers) there with melodies; it should be noted that the Rav shlit"a was filled with an indescribable, immense vitality. After the Tikkun HaKlalis, the soldiers and commanders requested the blessing of our teacher the Rav shlit"a. The Rav shlit"a, in his great love for every Jew and especially for the soldiers who exhibit mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) for the sake of the People of Israel, bestowed his blessings upon them and blessed them with all goodness and endless peace.

Afterward, for about twenty minutes, the Rav shlit"a danced around the Tziyun (tomb) singing, "In the merit of Joseph the Tzaddik, Ephraim and Menashe, may He fulfill our requests for the good." One cannot describe the great joy visible on the face of our teacher the Rav shlit"a, who speaks so frequently about the greatness of traveling to the tomb of Joseph the Tzaddik.

It should be noted that the Rav's close associates related that on the return journey, due to repeated clashes, the Rav shlit"a was delayed in the IDF "Panther" (armored vehicle) for over forty minutes during the drive from the holy Tziyun to the exit at Beit Furik in the Shechem area. However, as is well known, the Rav utilizes every minute, and he delivered a long and fascinating class about his travels as a young avrech (married Torah student) from Bnei Brak to Joseph's Tomb, along with many other words of Torah.

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