The Hiloula of Thousands Led by the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland

Thousands at the 180th Hiloula (anniversary of passing) of Moharnat (Rebbe Nosson) ○ A Thanksgiving Feast marking the third anniversary of the Day of Release ○ Words from the Rabbis shlit"a ○ A musical production with the giants of Chassidic song featuring the 'Malchus' and 'Chassidim'lach' choirs ○ Songs of emotion and melodies of awakening ○ The central address from our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a ○ Shir Yedidut (Song of Friendship) ○ Singing and dancing in honor of the Hiloula and thanksgiving for the Day of Release ○ Initial photo gallery ○ In Breslov, a fire is burning!!

One hundred and eighty years since the passing of the great disciple, yet his spirit and soul are still among us! His books, his advice, and his writings, which he collected and wrote with his heart's blood from his great master, the "Flowing Brook, Source of Wisdom" (Rebbe Nachman), dwell forever in our hearts and are preserved in writing for all eternity.

We were privileged that this year as well, the largest Hiloula in the world was held for our strength and glory, our teacher Rabbi Nosson of Breslov zy"a (may his merit protect us), the faithful disciple of the "Flowing Brook, Source of Wisdom," the Hidden Light, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov zy"a, led by and with the participation of the luminary of our generation, our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. Like last year, this year's Hiloula was also held as a seudah (festive meal) of thanksgiving marking the third anniversary of the miracle of the release of our teacher, the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

The Hiloula opened with the Maariv (evening) prayer in the courtyard of our Beis Medrash (study hall) with the participation of our teacher the Rav shlit"a, as every evening, with singing, dancing, and melodies. After the prayer, the Rav shlit"a delivered several words of chizuk (encouragement) regarding the greatness of the day of the Hiloula of Rabbi Nosson—the "Light of the Seven Days," in his pure words—and the Tenth of Teves, on which it is decreed in Heaven whether the Third Temple will be built or not.

"And for everything, Hashem our G-d, we thank You" • The Hiloula Feast combined with the Thanksgiving Feast

After the Hiloula, the masses marched to the giant convoy of buses that filled the entire Shivtei Yisrael Street, and the train of vehicles departed for the Pavilion Halls. Thousands upon thousands, from all types and sectors—men, women, and children—all gathered and came to you, flowing in their multitudes to the gates of the hall. A seudah (festive meal) of thanksgiving awaited the thousands for the immense miracle we merited nearly three years ago on the night of the Hiloula of Moharnat, with the return of our teacher the Rav shlit"a to his holy home after two years of the concealment of the Tzaddik's light while he was held captive by the "wicked kingdom" (the authorities). It is a duty of gratitude to mention the dedication of R' Binyamin Dapan, may Hashem protect him, who arranged this meal for our community with delicacies fit for a king.

"And it came to pass, when the musician played" • The giants of Chassidic song in an unprecedented musical production

With Siyata D'Shmaya (Heavenly assistance), we were privileged at this Hiloula to have a musical production—a massive production by 'B.A.B. Productions' led by the renowned Chassidic organizer R' Yisrael Ben Baruch, may Hashem protect him—unprecedented in scale, the likes of which are seen only at the largest events in the Torah world. Accompanying the evening were the Malchus Choir and the Chassidim'lach children's choir. Alongside them stood the giants of song in the Chassidic world, R' Yanky Daskal together with R' Yoely Klein, with their pleasant voices. Next to them were the best musicians in the music world who appeared on the stage of the central Hiloula of Moharnat organized by 'Ichud Chassidei Breslov Shuvu Banim' and produced by 'B.A.B. Productions': the musician and keyboardist R' Shaya Brim, R' Yehuda Balati on the clarinet, R' Ahrele Bender on the saxophone, R' Srulik Lefkowitz strumming the violin strings, and R' Yehonatan Porat on the guitar. These giants of song accompanied the event with amazing singing—arousing and moving on one hand, and on the other, energetic, stormy, and reaching the heavens.

"He is the Teacher and the Disciple" • Words from the Rabbis of the Shuvu Banim community at the event

At the gathering, the great and veteran students of our teacher the Rav shlit"a delivered words of chizuk (encouragement) regarding the greatness of the day of the Hiloula and the greatness of our strength and glory. Among other things, they spoke about the matter of Hafatza (distribution of teachings), the effort, and the money that Rabbi Nosson commanded that our community should strengthen themselves in with even greater vigor.

"My soul is sick with Your love" • Songs of emotion and awakening

In the moments preceding the entrance of our teacher the Rav shlit"a to the Hiloula event, the musicians stirred the hearts of the thousands of participants. These were primarily Shabbos songs—as our holy Rebbe brings, and Moharnat zy"a expands upon in Likutey Halachos, that Shabbos is the aspect of the True Tzaddik. During these sublime moments, the orchestra burst into the song "The Tzaddik shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon." The thousands rose to their feet in honor of our teacher the Rav shlit"a, who appeared and ascended the stage, sitting upon his holy chair. Afterward, he also lit the candle in honor of the soul of our teacher Rabbi Nosson of Breslov zy"a. More minutes of singing in honor of the Tzaddik followed, and melodies of emotion took their place. This time, the awakening was sevenfold as our teacher the Rav shlit"a—"A King in his beauty shall your eyes behold"—sat on his throne, swaying in d'veikus (cleaving to Hashem) to the sounds of the heart's melodies emanating from the pure mouths of Bentzi Kletzkin and the Chassidim'lach children's choir. Ah... the awesome moments of spiritual elevation are beyond measure.

"The entire essence of Rabbi Nosson was only the bizyonos (humiliations)" • The holy address of our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

Silence fell upon the crowd of thousands. Our teacher the Rav shlit"a, in his pure and clear voice, opened with the prayer before learning. "Today is literally Yom Kippur," with these words our teacher the Rav shlit"a opened his holy address, which was like a "Flowing Brook, Source of Wisdom," from the spring that has no end. For nearly an hour, the words of the Living G-d spoken from his holy mouth echoed throughout the hall filled with thousands of people. As is his holy way, during the lesson he "leaps over the mountains and skips over the hills," moving between Mishnah and Aggadah (homiletic teachings) and from one insight to another; no intellect in the world can grasp the depth of these matters.

"The world shall walk in his light, through Rabbi Nosson his disciple" • Shir Yedidut (Song of Friendship)

After the uplifting lesson, our teacher the Rav shlit"a began the melody of Shir Yedidut by the Chassid Rabbi Yitzchak Breiter hy"d (may Hashem avenge his blood). For long minutes, the stirring melody was sung, with an interesting innovation brought by the orchestra: at the end of every "Flowing Brook, Source of Wisdom" segment, they played an energetic and joyful chord.

"For it is good to thank You" • Singing and dancing, joy breaking through the heavens

After the conclusion of Shir Yedidut, they began to sing "You have brought us this far," and then, as if on their own, the joy broke through the heavens and heels lifted themselves. Thousands of people rose from their places and, with the intensity of great joy, danced, frolicked, and jumped in honor of the Tzaddik, to thank and praise Hashem for the day of the miracle of release. The joy is indescribable—song followed song for over twenty minutes of immense happiness. Hearts surged when our teacher the Rav shlit"a himself rose from his holy chair and also began to dance and clap his hands for long minutes in a dance together with all the rabbis of the community. It is impossible to measure, describe, or put into writing the awesome flame of joy that existed during these dances. After about forty minutes of dancing, our teacher the Rav shlit"a concluded with Kaddish and departed to the sound of the thousands singing, "Light is sown for the Tzaddik, and for the upright of heart, joy!"

Before you is a magnificent and initial photo gallery from the event of the Hiloula of Moharnat last night, with the participation of thousands of people, led by our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a:

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