A Story of Rabbi Berland's Self-Sacrifice on Rosh Hashanah and 5 More Stories

The grandson of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a recounts the holy work of the tzaddik on Rosh Hashanah: six hours of continuous standing, a 12-minute festive meal, and immediate immersion in the study of the Responsa of the Maharit.

A Story of Rabbi Berland's Self-Sacrifice on Rosh Hashanah

The grandson of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, who merited to spend the holy days of Rosh Hashanah in the presence of the tzaddik, shared a wondrous testimony about the Rav's holy service during those Days of Awe. From this testimony, we can learn a little about the immense self-sacrifice of the Rav shlit"a and his absolute utilization of time.

## Standing for Six Hours
On the holy day of Rosh Hashanah, the Rav shlit"a stood on his feet in prayer for about six continuous hours. He was completely immersed in the service of the Creator, without interruption, out of immense awe. This prolonged standing illustrates his tremendous spiritual strength and his unceasing dveikus (cleaving) to Hashem, even when the physical body demands rest.

## A Hurried Meal and Immersion in Study
After those long hours of standing, the Rav shlit"a proceeded to conduct the festive meal (seudah). However, the entire meal lasted a mere twelve minutes. During this short time, the Rav tasted only a kezayis (olive-sized portion) of bread and a piece of fish, and did not put anything else into his mouth beyond that.

Immediately afterward, the Rav shlit"a immersed himself once again in the study of the holy Torah. He opened the book of Responsa of the Maharit and delved into it with tremendous diligence. This story, as described by his grandson, gives us a rare glimpse into the holy service of the tzaddik, whose every moment of life is dedicated solely to Torah and the service of Hashem.

A Story of Holy Fire: The Standing of the Rav shlit"a on Yom Kippur

As is known, the holy path of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, from time immemorial, is to stand on his feet throughout the entire day of Yom Kippur. Many awe-inspiring stories have already been told about this wondrous practice of the tzaddik during the holy day.

Self-Sacrifice on the Holy Day

Even on this past Yom Kippur, may it be for the good, the Rav shlit"a continued this holy tradition. The grandsons of the tzaddik, who merited to spend time in his presence at the house where he is currently staying in Be'er Yaakov, recount with great emotion what their eyes witnessed.

According to them, the Rav shlit"a stood on his feet during the entire time of the holy day's service. This practice arouses immense wonder, especially in light of the fact that the health condition of the Rav shlit"a's legs is known to all.

Holy Fire for Hashem

The prolonged standing, despite the suffering and medical difficulties, is a level of self-sacrifice that cannot be fathomed or described in words. Anyone who witnessed this could feel the intensity of the holiness and devotion of our teacher, the Rav shlit"a.

"The tzaddik is entirely a holy fire for Hashem," describe those around him. And particularly on such a holy and awesome day, it is revealed for all to see how the spirit conquers the physical matter, and the love for the Creator overcomes any physical limitation.

A Story of Self-Sacrifice at the End of the Fast: First Mikvah and Kiddush Levanah

Jews who were close to our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, relate an amazing fact about his holy conduct at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. After a full day of fasting, serving Hashem, and tremendous physical and spiritual effort, the human body demands its due. But for the tzaddik, the priorities are completely different, and the spirit always prevails over the physical.

Beyond the Standard Time

That year, the Rav shlit"a greatly prolonged the holy service of the Ne'ilah prayer, and afterward the Maariv (evening) prayer at the conclusion of the fast. The spiritual work continued far beyond the usual time, until seventy-two minutes had passed after sunset. This time is known as "Rabbeinu Tam's time," which is the most meticulous and stringent time for the conclusion of the fast.

Self-Sacrifice Before Breaking the Fast

When the holy service in the synagogue finally concluded, those close to him hurried and brought the Rav shlit"a food and drink to taste and break the long fast. Everyone expected the Rav to eat immediately to restore his soul after the immense effort.

To the surprise of those present, the Rav refused to taste the food presented to him. "I want to immerse in the mikvah (ritual bath) first, and afterward go out and sanctify the moon (Kiddush Levanah)," the Rav shlit"a told those around him.

Only after he completed the purification of his body in the mikvah and the mitzvah of Kiddush Levanah with joy, did the tzaddik agree to taste something and break the fast. This conduct teaches us a tremendous lesson in the love of Hashem, and shows how for true tzaddikim, the fulfillment of mitzvos precedes any physical need.

A Story of a Holy Dance: The Hillula of Rebbe Nachman

The son-in-law of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, shares a special, majestic memory that illustrates the magnitude of the Rav's devotion and joy on the day of the hillula (anniversary of passing) of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov zy"a, may his merit protect us all, Amen.

The Light of the Hillula on Chol HaMoed

It was on the 18th of Tishrei, the intermediate days (Chol HaMoed) of Sukkos, which is the day of the hillula of Rebbe Nachman. The Rav's son-in-law recounts that in that year, he merited to be close to the Rav shlit"a and accompany him throughout this holy and exalted day. The atmosphere around the Rav was saturated with holy excitement, as the memory of the tzaddik illuminated all the hours.

A Dance of Devotion Until the Small Hours

When the joyous celebrations in honor of the hillula began, the supernatural strength of the Rav shlit"a was revealed. Despite the exertions of the festival and the unceasing spiritual work, the Rav shlit"a danced with immense devotion and the enthusiasm of holy fire until three o'clock in the morning. The dance was not merely a dance of joy, but pure service of Hashem that swept up everyone who merited to be present.

The sight of the Rav dancing for long hours without interruption, out of a deep connection to the tzaddik and the Creator of the world, was deeply engraved in the hearts of the onlookers. This testimony illustrates the tremendous spiritual power that beats within him, a power rooted in the love of Hashem, the joy of mitzvos, and true connection to the true tzaddikim.

A Wondrous Story: The Avreich Who Kissed the Wall and Rabbi Berland Read His Thoughts

One of the students of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, shared a wondrous testimony that illustrates the revealed Ruach HaKodesh (Divine Inspiration) of the tzaddik and his deep connection to the souls of his students, even those standing outside the walls of the Beis Midrash (study hall).

Thirsty for the Word of Hashem

During that period, the Rav shlit"a used to deliver a regular class every Tuesday in the Beis Midrash located on Ido HaNavi Street. The Rav's classes always drew multitudes, and the thirst for the tzaddik's words of Torah was immense.

On one of those Tuesdays, that avreich (Torah scholar) arrived for the class, but discovered that the place was packed to capacity. Because of the massive crowd that filled the Beis Midrash, it was extremely difficult, if not impossible, to enter and hear the class up close. The avreich was forced to remain standing outside, feeling sorrow that he did not merit to enter. He stood there and thought in his heart that perhaps he did not have the proper merit to enter the holy Beis Midrash and sit in the presence of the tzaddik.

Thoughts Heard from Afar

Despite his distress, a great excitement awakened within the avreich. He thought to himself: "Although I cannot enter, the walls of this Beis Midrash are so holy, for they absorb the words of Torah and the holiness of the Rav shlit"a." Out of immense enthusiasm and devotion, he approached the exterior wall of the building and began to kiss it with love.

While he was standing outside kissing the stones of the wall, a wondrous thing occurred. Suddenly, he heard the voice of the Rav shlit"a bursting forth from inside the Beis Midrash, addressing the congregation and saying in a loud voice: "The walls here are holy!"

The avreich stood stunned outside the Beis Midrash. He immediately understood that the tzaddik, with his Ruach HaKodesh, had read his most hidden thoughts and felt the self-sacrifice of the student standing outside. This event strengthened his knowledge that the eyes of the tzaddik are open to each and every individual, and that there are no spiritual barriers for one who truly yearns to draw close.

A Wondrous Story: The Tzaddik Promised 'I Am Taking the Illness from Him' and the Baby Was Born Healthy

One of the students of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, told a wondrous story this week, which he heard directly from the person involved.

It was before the birth of one of his sons. During routine checkups, the doctors delivered unbearably harsh news to the parents. They determined with certainty that the fetus was destined to be born suffering from a very severe defect, Hashem protect us.

The wife of the man involved was terrified to the depths of her soul. She felt that she simply would not be able to withstand the difficult test and endure such a terrible situation of raising a child with such a severe defect.

"I Am Taking the Illness from Him"

In their distress, at a loss for what to do and filled with anxiety, the couple hurried to our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, to seek advice and salvation.

The Rav shlit"a listened to the harsh news and instructed them to bring a specific sum for a Pidyon Nefesh. Afterward, the Rav uttered a rare and chilling promise: "And I am taking the illness from him."

These words instilled new hope in the parents. They knew that a tzaddik decrees and Hashem fulfills, and they awaited the birth with trust and emunah (faith).

The Astonishment of the Doctors

The great day arrived, and the revealed miracle occurred in all its might. The baby was born completely healthy and whole, without any trace of a defect or blemish whatsoever.

The medical staff stood in awe. To the astonishment of all the doctors, who had previously determined unequivocally that the child would be born with a severe defect, reality slapped them in the face and proved the power of the tzaddik.

Baruch Hashem, today the child is already seven years old, and is growing up for long and good days, Amen. This story illustrates once again how the power of a tzaddik can literally change nature and turn the harshest decrees into great salvations.

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From Issue 82 — Parshas Bereishis
From the series "A Tzaddik Rules in the Fear of God" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" Publications