Also on the Shabbat of the Seventh Day of Passover, we merited to be in the presence of the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. We merited an uplifting and wonderful holiday, a "Splitting of the Red Sea" in our time through the Tzaddik of the generation. Before you is extensive coverage of the holiday:

On the night the Shabbat and Holiday were sanctified, our teacher the Rav shlit"a came out to the balcony of his home at 6:30 PM. After 18 minutes of singing 'Or Zarua LaTzaddik' (Light is sown for the Tzaddik), our teacher the Rav shlit"a began the Mincha (afternoon) prayer of the eve of Shabbat and the holiday. After the prayer, our teacher the Rav recited the Seder HaHisksherus (the order of connecting to the Tzaddik) together with the public. Upon the conclusion of the Hisksherus, the Rav shlit"a began the shortened Kabbalas Shabbat (welcoming the Shabbat) as is the custom of the House of Israel when Shabbat falls on a holiday. During the shortened 'Lecha Dodi' song, he extended for about 13 minutes. It should be noted that the Rav shlit"a did recite 'Bameh Madlikin' (the Mishnaic chapter regarding Shabbat lights). Afterward, he continued to the Maariv (evening) prayer of the holiday night, which was conducted with special vitality. A unique excitement was felt during the melody of 'V'Emunah Kol Zos' (And all this is faith), and particularly at the words 'Hamaavir banav bein gizrei Yam Suf' (Who passed His children through the splits of the Red Sea). It is impossible to describe the intensity when thousands of people sang together about the miracles of the Splitting of the Red Sea from within 'V'Emunah Kol Zos!'. At the conclusion of Aleinu L'Shabeach, the Rav began Sefiras HaOmer (the counting of the Omer), the high counting of 'Yesod shebeChesed' (Foundation within Loving-kindness) — six days of the Omer. The counting of the Omer lasted about twenty-five minutes, all in melodies, word by word, letter by letter. The Rav shlit"a did not sing the Shabbat night Zemiros (songs) with the public, and at 8:25 PM, after a prayer service of one hour and fifty-five minutes, he entered his holy home.

In the early hours of the morning of the Shabbat of the Seventh Day of Passover, our teacher the Rav shlit"a entered for the Shacharis (morning) prayer at 4:38 AM and began reciting the verses said on Shabbat and holidays from within the Tikkun Chatzos (Midnight Lamentation). After Tikkun Chatzos, our teacher the Rav began the Shacharis prayer — the morning songs of 'Odeh L'E-l' (I will thank G-d) with special vitality, followed by Korbanos (sacrificial offerings) and Pesukei D'Zimra (verses of praise) with melodies and pleasantness. A special length was noted in the following melodies: 'Hoshia es Amecha' (Save Your people) for 5 minutes; 'Ki Chol Peh' (For every mouth shall thank You) for 5 minutes. A great awakening was recorded from the public during 'Az Yashir' (The Song of the Sea) with shouts of the Song of the Sea in the "Upper Taste" (the higher cantillation).

The Shemoneh Esrei (silent prayer) was stood at 7:00 AM. Immediately after the Chazzan's (cantor's) repetition, the Rav recited the blessing over Hallel (psalms of praise), while the entire public, with immense enthusiasm, played, sang, and jumped during the Hallel songs. Who can estimate the "thunders and lightnings" and the immense joy during Hallel? For 'B'tzeis Yisrael' (When Israel went out) alone, he repeated it seven times over and over with a vitality that soared and rose anew each time. The melody that revives every soul during 'Hodu L'Hashem Ki Tov' (Give thanks to Hashem for He is good), and if that were not enough, then at the end of Hallel came the deeply stirring melody between 'Ana Hashem Hoshia Na' (Please Hashem, save us). Thus, the singing of Hallel with immense vitality lasted nearly an hour (50 minutes).

After the conclusion of Hallel, the Torah reading for the Seventh Day of Passover began: "Vayehi B'shalach Paroh" (And it came to pass when Pharaoh sent), the Splitting of the Red Sea and the Song of the Sea. Our teacher the Rav shlit"a was called up for the Song of the Sea, of course, singing in a clear voice and with wonderful vitality. The Torah reading and the Haftarah (prophetic reading) lasted about 50 minutes. After the Torah reading, instructions were given for everyone to cover themselves with Tallitot (prayer shawls) during the recitation of Yizkor (the memorial prayer). Afterward, the song "Yah E-li V'Goali" (G-d is my strength and redeemer) was sung with the reviving melody that our teacher the Rav is accustomed to singing on every holiday and festival. The Musaf (additional) prayer was also not lacking in special awakening and vitality, with all the melodies that revive one anew each time, singing them every festival together with our teacher the Rav: "V'kabetz Pezureinu..." (And gather our dispersed) "V'havienu L'Tzion Ircha..." (And bring us to Zion Your city). Thus, the entire congregation sang every melody with a 'bren' (burning fire) and immense joy. After the Chazzan's repetition, our teacher the Rav concluded the prayer, and the Rav shlit"a made Kiddush (sanctification over wine) and delivered a lesson for about 5 minutes. After the lesson, he said Kaddish and re-entered his holy home at 9:38 AM, exactly five hours after the start of the Shabbat morning prayer of the Seventh Day of Passover.

At 7:02 PM, the Rav came out to the balcony, said Kaddish, and immediately began the song 'Yehei Ra'ava' (May it be the Will) for 12 minutes. Afterward, the Torah reading took place with three people called up for Parshas 'Shemini'. He then stood for the Shemoneh Esrei of the Mincha prayer for the Three Festivals. At 7:30 PM, he washed his hands for Seudah Shlishis (the third meal) at his place on the balcony. As is his holy custom, he immediately began the Zemiros (songs) for the three meals, which lasted about 20 minutes. Afterward, he extended the song 'Yah Ribon' (G-d, Master of the World) for 22 minutes. He further added to the playing and singing of 'Koh Amar Hashem Matza Chen BaMidbar' (Thus says Hashem, they found grace in the desert) for 3 minutes, as well as the melody 'Zacharti Lach Chesed Ne'uraich' (I remembered for you the kindness of your youth) for another 5 minutes. He concluded with the melody 'Ad Heina Azarunu Rachamecha' (Until now Your mercies have helped us) for 12 minutes. After nearly an hour of Seudah Shlishis songs, he led the Zimun (grace after meals) over a cup of wine at 8:37 PM.

After the conclusion of the Third Meal, while saying 'Baruch Hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol' (Blessed is He who distinguishes between the holy and the mundane), before the story of the Baal Shem Tov, the Rav entered for a fifteen-minute break. After the break, the Rav shlit"a entered again and began the story of the Baal Shem Tov's journey to the Holy Land in great detail and in such a reviving manner. The Rav tells every single detail and elaborates with vivid, fascinating, and moving colors every time anew. It should be noted that during this, the story told by the Rav shlit"a lasted about forty-five minutes. During the story, of course, the Rav shlit"a sang 'L'Oseh Niflaos Gedolos Levado Ki L'Olam Chasdo' (To Him who performs great wonders alone, for His kindness is eternal).

With the conclusion of the holy story, the Rav began the song 'Lamnatzeach Binginos Mizmor Shir' (To the Chief Musician with stringed instruments, a Psalm) for 33 minutes. Afterward, our teacher the Rav shlit"a said 'Barchu' for the Maariv (evening) prayer of the conclusion of the holiday with vitality and melodies. After the Shemoneh Esrei of Maariv, our teacher the Rav shlit"a said 'Vayehi Noam' as he does every Saturday night, and extended the song 'Baruch Hu' (Blessed is He) for about 4 minutes, and even more so the song 'Hu Yiftach' (May He open [our hearts]) for about 16 minutes. After the conclusion of Maariv, he began Sefiras HaOmer, which lasted about 25 minutes. After Kaddish, the Rav performed Havdalah (the separation ceremony) and washed his hands for Seudah Revi'is (the fourth meal). They sang all the Zemiros for Melaveh Malkah (escorting the Queen) with special vitality and awakening. Before the song 'Eliyahu HaNavi' (Elijah the Prophet), the Rav delivered a lesson from Chayei Moharan (the life of Rebbe Nachman) for 12 minutes. Afterward, he finished the Melaveh Malkah songs, led the Zimun over a cup of wine, delivered another lesson of about a minute, and entered his holy home at 12:08 AM. This was after more than five hours (5:06) in which we merited Mincha, Torah reading, Seudah Shlishis, the story of the Baal Shem Tov, Maariv, Sefiras HaOmer, and Seudah Revi'is.

When all of the Shabbat of the Seventh Day of Passover, the 21st of Nissan 5785, was tallied, we merited twelve hours (12:01) in his holy presence!!

The Shuvu Banim website wishes you, the readers, a healthy and happy summer!!