A Special Story: The Wondrous Joy of the Great Posek During Matzah Baking

An avreich (Torah scholar) from among the students of Rabbi Berland shlit"a participated in baking matzos with one of the leading Poskim (Halachic authorities). Reading the words of the tzaddik brought immense joy and yishuv hadaas (peace of mind) to the Posek, who had been in a state of anxiety.

An avreich from the students of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a participated in a chaburah (group) baking matzos in one of the matzah bakeries in the holy city of Jerusalem. Also participating in that same chaburah was one of the leading Morei Hora'ah (Halachic decisors) of the Edah HaChareidis. He is a tremendous Torah scholar and outstanding genius, a tzaddik and God-fearing man, whose door is sought out by thousands of questioners every day.

The Encounter at the Matzah Bakery

During the holy work, the avreich recited prayers composed by Morinu HaRav shlit"a for the holiday of Pesach. In addition, he held a special prayer composed by the Rav shlit"a to be said before baking matzos. The Moreh Hora'ah noticed this and asked him, "What do you have in your hand?"

The avreich replied that these were prayers of the tzaddik. When the Posek asked who he was referring to, the avreich answered, "From Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a." To the avreich's surprise, the Posek became very enthusiastic and requested, "Give it to me, I also want to say it." He immediately read the prayer, returned the pages to the avreich, and said to him, "Yasher koach (more power to you)."

Joy and Peace of Mind

The continuation of the story was no less wondrous. Those present noticed an immense joy that flooded the Moreh Hora'ah. Usually, throughout the entire time of baking matzos, he is in a state of tremendous awe and fear. It is almost impossible to speak with him due to the intensity of the fear and the extreme caution required in this holy work, out of concern that he might stumble in some halachic detail.

As is known, Rebbe Nachman zy"a (may his merit protect us all, Amen) warned us against excessive stringencies, and taught that despite all the necessary caution, it is an absolute obligation to maintain one's joy, as is brought down in "Sichos HaRan."

And suddenly, immediately after he recited the prayer of the tzaddik, they saw upon him a wondrous joy and yishuv hadaas (peace of mind). The rest of the matzah baking was done with mochin d'gadlus (expanded consciousness) and calmness. It is impossible to fathom the tremendous impact of every single point of drawing close to the tzaddik, which illuminates the soul and brings a person to serve Hashem with true joy.

From Issue 79 — Parashas Tazria

From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications