16th of Elul: Bris Milah and a Class with Rabbi Berland shlit"a

This morning we were privileged to have a class and a Bris Milah (circumcision) with the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days).

The Rav entered the prayer hall at 4:10 AM and delivered a Daf Yomi (daily page of Talmud) class on page 15b of Tractate Keritot. The Rav spoke about the verse "Every proscribed thing that shall be proscribed" and mentioned teachings from the Chasam Sofer and the Holy Zohar, explaining the words of the Gemara (Talmud) at length. The Rav's great weakness was evident, yet with mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice), the Rav delivered the class for 24 minutes.

At the conclusion of the class, the Rav began Chatzos (Midnight Lamentations), starting from "Ora Na" from Tikkun Rachel and Tikkun Leah. This was followed by the morning songs of praise, the Shacharis (morning) prayer, and the reading of the Torah.

At 6:52 AM, the Shacharis prayer concluded, and a Bris Milah (circumcision) was held for the infant being circumcised, Binyamin, son of Reb Nachman Blatt. At its conclusion, the Rav delivered a short class and spoke about Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet) who was here with us, mentioning that he could not fight and overcome Jezebel. He spoke again about the need to jump with the feet and perform teshuvah (repentance).