A Story of Holy Fire: The Divine Service of the Tzaddikim of the Generations in Our Generation / A Story of Spiritual Elevation

A contemplation on the holy divine service of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, who serves as a living example of the awesome spiritual service of the Tanna'im, Amora'im, and the Chassidic tzaddikim throughout the generations.

A Story of Holy Fire: The Divine Service of the Tzaddikim of the Generations in Our Generation

When we contemplate the holy service of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, we merit to see a literal living example in our generation of what is brought in the words of our holy Sages. His awesome service of Hashem reminds us of the service of the Tanna'im and Amora'im, may their merit protect us. This is a service of immense enthusiasm and fear of Hashem that is difficult to describe in words.

In the Path of the Holy Tanna'im

The Gemara relates about the holy Tanna Rabbi Akiva, that when he would stand before his Maker in private, he would begin in one corner of the room, and ultimately they would find him in a completely different corner. The intensity of his dveikus (cleaving to Hashem) and his vigorous movements would transport him from place to place. In the exact same manner, we merit to witness the incomprehensible fiery enthusiasm in the divine service of the Rav shlit"a. He continues the path of these supernal holy ones, with a service of mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) and absolute dveikus.

Continuing the Path of the Tzaddikim of the Generations

This also brings to mind what we have heard about the holy tzaddik of Berditchev, may his merit protect us and all of Israel, amen. It is told about him that when he recited the blessing "Shehakol nihiyeh bidvaro," they found him under the table out of the sheer enthusiasm and fear of Hashem that gripped him. The same is told of the holy tzaddik of Sanz zy"a, whose divine service was like a blazing fire.

That same holy fire also burned within the awesome servants of Hashem in Breslov Chassidus in previous generations. Among them, we can count the fiery seraph Rabbi Shmuel Shapiro zt"l, and Rabbi Hirsch Lippel zt"l. Fortunate are we that we have merited to see with our own eyes a living story of divine service exactly as it was in previous generations, right here in our own generation, through Morinu HaRav shlit"a.

A Story of Spiritual Elevation: Two Hours of Singing "Yah Ribbon Olam" with Rabbi Berland

One of the attendees related the uplifting scene that took place on the holy Shabbos following the holiday of Purim. The entire congregation merited to witness the awesome and holy divine service of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a during Seudah Shlishit (the third Shabbos meal). It was a truly unique Shabbos that left a profound impression on all the participants.

Extraordinary Enthusiasm

The Rav shlit"a extended the meal significantly, especially when he reached the holy and well-known niggun (melody) of 'Yah Ribbon Olam'. It is known that the Rav's holy custom is to repeat this niggun many times, but that week, the scene was completely extraordinary. The tzaddik prolonged the niggun with immense enthusiasm and a sweetness that simply cannot be fathomed or described in words.

His Face Burned Like Torches

During the singing, the Rav's face burned like torches out of sheer dveikus to the Creator of the world. He repeated the words 'Ravrevin, ravrevin ovdach v'takifin' (Great, great are Your works and mighty) over and over again, and again 'Ravrevin', and again 'Elaha dilei' (His God). These repetitions continued dozens of times, with the entire congregation being swept up after him into a deep spiritual elevation.

The uplifting singing and the immense dveikus continued uninterrupted for two full hours. "Fortunate is the eye that saw this," and fortunate is the one who merited to be present during those sublime moments of pure holiness in the presence of the tzaddik.

A Story: Melave Malka with the Tzaddik

And after all this came the Melave Malka (the post-Shabbos meal) that the Rav shlit"a customarily conducts immediately following Maariv and Havdalah with the holy congregation, filled with tremendous vitality.

The Melave Malka is accompanied by the traditional Breslov melodies, which are full of life and joy. It is well known that the Melave Malka with the tzaddik, marking the conclusion of the holy Shabbos, is a deeply moving and joyous occasion. The joy bursts forth powerfully, sometimes accompanied by musical instruments. Truly, whoever has not seen this joy has never seen true joy in their life. This is especially true at the very end, when the tzaddik enters his holy residence, and the crowd escorts him singing "Or Zarua LaTzaddik" (Light is sown for the righteous). The entire congregation feels a deep yearning and longing for the tzaddik and for the holy Shabbos, as it is written, "Yah Echsof Noam Shabbos" (God, I yearn for the sweetness of Shabbos). Then, shortly after entering his room, the tzaddik already departs on his holy journey to bring the souls of Israel closer to their Father in Heaven across the cities of the Holy Land.

From Issue 79 — Parashat Shmini
From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yirat Elokim" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" Newsletters