A Story of Exile: The Rav's Condition for Returning to the Holy Land and 4 More Stories

An amazing story about the words of Rabbi Berland shlit"a during his exile in Johannesburg, who accepted upon himself a respectable portion of bizyonos (humiliations) in order to merit returning to the Land of Israel.

A Story of Exile: The Rav's Condition for Returning to the Holy Land

The period of exile of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, was fraught with immense difficulties and incomprehensible mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice). One of the chilling stories from that time reveals the magnitude of the sacrifice the Rav was willing to accept upon himself, just to merit returning to the Land of Israel.

The Years of Exile and the Prison in Johannesburg

For four full years, the Rav shlit"a endured an exhausting and unbearable exile. During this period, he was forced to spend time in various prisons around the world on several occasions, accepting the suffering with love.

The period right before his return to Israel is especially memorable. In those days, the Rav spent several months in a terrible prison with harsh conditions in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. From within that darkness, the immense power of the tzaddik was revealed.

The Condition for Return: A Respectable Portion of Humiliations

In those difficult days, the tzaddik spoke wondrous and chilling words to his close followers. He explained that the path back to the Land of Israel was paved with difficult spiritual tests. "In order for me to return to the Holy Land, a respectable portion of bizyonos (humiliations) is needed - that the Badatz (Rabbinical Court) shlit"a will sign against me," the Rav explicitly stated.

Everyone remembered these awesome words of the tzaddik very well. Over time, the students hoped and thought that the decree had already been sweetened and nullified, and that the Rav would be able to return without that ordeal of public humiliation.

However, reality proved otherwise. Ultimately, everyone saw tangibly that the Rav shlit"a did not forgo accepting the humiliations with love. He chose to take upon himself the degradation and suffering in silence, provided that he could return to the Holy Land and continue to illuminate the world with his Torah.

An Amazing Story: When Rabbi Berland Rejoiced to Hear About the Curses His Grandson Absorbed

There are words and behaviors of tzaddikim that are very difficult for a regular person to digest, but this is the inner process of the tzaddik, and this is what he toils over all the days of his life. One of the grandsons of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, shares a personal and moving story that reveals a glimpse of the Rav's unique perspective on humiliations and persecutions.

The Family's Rage and the Vigorous Curses

The incident began when a young man, who belonged to a large and well-known Chassidic group in the holy city of Jerusalem, began to draw closer to the path of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov zy"a. The young man's parents, who did not look upon this favorably, decided that the one responsible for their son's new spiritual direction was one of the grandsons of Rabbi Berland shlit"a.

The family's anger was directed straight at the grandson. They called him, yelled at him, and hurled harsh accusations at him. On one occasion, he received a phone call from one of the family members of that young man, who cursed him with vigorous and severe curses, may Hashem protect us.

The Eyes of the Tzaddik Lit Up

On the night of the holy Shabbos, the grandson went up to the home of our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, and painfully told him about the chain of events and the terrible curses he had absorbed. The Rav's reaction was surprising and incomprehensible. When the Rav shlit"a heard this, his eyes literally lit up with joy.

The Rav turned to his grandson and told him with enthusiasm: "A person needs to be cursed twenty-four hours a day! The holy Rebbe Nachman turns everything into blessings, you have nothing to fear at all."

The Rav shlit"a was so enthusiastic about the grandson's merit to absorb bizyonos (humiliations) that it actually looked as if he was jealous of him. Out of immense joy and excitement, the Rav entered his private room with his grandson. There, in an elevated atmosphere, he sat and spoke with him for a long time, and merited to tell him everything he had wanted to discuss with him for a long while. This story illustrates to us just how much the tzaddikim view humiliations as an enormous gift and an opening for blessings and salvations.

A Wondrous Story: I Saw That It Was Difficult for the Community and I Sweetened the Decree

One of the students of the community recounts the wondrous unfolding of events and the heavenly conduct of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

As we all remember, about a year ago, a special signed letter was issued by the Badatz (Rabbinical Court) shlit"a. In this letter, the judges issued a clear and decisive call to stop the hatred, persecution, and controversy that was being waged against the Rav shlit"a.

Sweetening the Judgments in Heaven

In those days, the Rav shlit"a expressed himself in a rare revelation and exposed what was happening behind the scenes in the upper worlds. The Rav said then: "In truth, a signed letter was supposed to come out against me, but I saw that this would be very difficult for the holy community."

The Rav continued and explained his immense mercy for each and every one: "I understood that men, women, and children would not be able to bear such disgrace. Therefore, I worked in Heaven for the matter to be annulled." And indeed, to everyone's joy, everything turned around for the good. Instead of an offensive letter, an explicit ruling was issued by the Badatz shlit"a that stood by his side and in favor of the Rav shlit"a.

Gradual Preparation for the Tests

However, looking back, and after seeing the tests and events that occurred recently, the full picture became clear. It seems that the Rav shlit"a, with his far-reaching vision, knew that it is impossible to completely annul the judgments, but only to sweeten them.

The entire previous letter and the salvation of last year were only meant to slightly sweeten the reality. The goal was to give the community time, so that we would be more prepared and resilient to accept the tests of the current period. In the merit of that sweetening and preparation of an entire year, coping has become much easier and more manageable for everyone.

A Story of Emunah (Faith): Israel is a Holy Nation That Knows the Truth

A Jew close to our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, shares a moving observation about the faith of the Jewish people. By the grace of Hashem, may He be blessed, we merit to see wondrous miracles in these days. It is tangibly evident how the great test did not confuse anyone, and everyone continues to cling to the absolute truth.

Tzaddik Yesod Olam (The Righteous is the Foundation of the World)

The entire public knows and understands well that we are talking about a Tzaddik Yesod Olam, a true tzaddik in whose merit we all live. "Through his terrible suffering and the disgraces he took upon himself, he sweetens harsh judgments from upon the Jewish people," he explains. This deep understanding only strengthens the connection of the masses to the Rav shlit"a, out of immense gratitude for his mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) for the sake of the collective.

Children of Prophets

Everyone feels in their heart the fierce love and inner connection to the tzaddik. As our Sages of blessed memory said, the Jewish people—even if they are not prophets, they are the children of prophets. The inner spiritual sense of every Jew leads him to the truth, and it is impossible to sway them from it, whatever the tests may be.

The reality on the ground proves beyond any doubt that it is impossible to disconnect the souls of the Jewish people from the source of their vitality, Heaven forbid. The connection between the Jewish people and the true tzaddik is an eternal and unbreakable bond, illuminating the path even in times of concealment.

Story: The Earth-Shattering Promise of the Kabbalist Rabbi David Chaim Stern shlit"a

The holy tzaddik and Kabbalist, Rabbi David Chaim Stern shlit"a, is known for his ruach hakodesh (divine inspiration) and his words that hew flames of fire. Recently, a profound and shocking statement was heard from him regarding our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, a message that the Kabbalist repeated several times on different occasions.

In the past week, the Kabbalist once again voiced these exact same words. Those who heard his teachings testified that this is a message that should tremble and shake the hearts of us all, especially in this era of Ikvesa D'Meshicha (the footsteps of Mashiach).

A Warning That is a Promise

His students and close associates, who committed these words to writing, chose to transcribe the sharp message in positive and encouraging language. Their goal was to emphasize the immense reward and the rare merit reserved for those who withstand the test and refrain from lashon hara (evil speech).

This is what the Kabbalist Rabbi David Chaim Stern shlit"a said in his rare promise: "Anyone who is not drawn into the dispute against Rabbi Berland shlit"a and does not cause him sorrow, will merit the imminent Geulah (Redemption) and to see our righteous Mashiach."

The Path to the Geulah

These words serve as a spiritual warning sign, yet at the same time, they are a tremendous and unprecedented promise. They teach us about the immense holiness of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, and the supreme importance of distancing oneself from any trace of dispute or affront to the honor of the Torah.

May it be His will that we all merit to strengthen ourselves in unconditional love, to protect the honor of the tzaddikim, and in this merit, may we soon see the salvation of Israel and the arrival of the righteous redeemer.

From Issue 80 — Parashas Beha'aloscha

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