Comprehensive Review of the Days of Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Eliezer Berland

AS IS KNOWN TO ALL, ALSO THIS YEAR, FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW, UNWORTHY INDIVIDUALS WHO CALL THEMSELVES CHASIDEI BRESLOV PHYSICALLY AND FINANCIALLY PREVENTED THE TZADDIK FROM REACHING UMAN, EVEN THOUGH HE HIMSELF OPENED THE WAY TO THE MASSES.  TO THE GREAT PAIN AND SORROW OF OUR ENTIRE BRESLOV COMMUNITY AND THE STUDENTS OF MOREINU HARAV SHLIT”A, WHO DIDN’T STOP PRAYING AND PLEADING, ALSO THIS YEAR, ROSH HASHANAH 5785, THE RAV SHLIT”A DID NOT REACH UMAN AND DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE KIBBUTZ AT THE GRAVE OF RABBEINU HAKADOSH ON ROSH HASHANAH.

Like last year, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a decided to return to Jerusalem, the Holy City, and to hold the holiday prayers together with the members of our community who stayed in the Holy Land.  Before you is an extensive review from the two days of Rosh Hashanah in the shadow of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a:

“LIKE A SHEPHARD PASTURING HIS FLOCK, MAKING SHEEP PASS UNDER HIS STAFF” – THE FIRST NIGHT OF ROSH HASHANAH

At 6:35 PM, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a came out for the Mincha prayer on the eve of Shabbat Kodesh and Rosh Hashanah, looking like an angel of Hashem, adorned in his white kittel and pure white kippah.  For about three minutes, they sang "Ohr Zarua LaTzaddik." About ten minutes before the sun of the year 5784 sent out its last rays, at 6:38, the Rav stood for the final Amidah prayer of the year. After concluding the uplifting prayer, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a recited the order of "Hiskashrut" [binding oneself to the Tzaddikim] word by word.

At 7:00 on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, before the first "Barechu" of the year, the Rav paused briefly, then began the rousing niggun before "Barechu." At that moment, as the world stood still, hearts throbbed with excitement and immense arousal—the moment of transition from the bloody year of 5784 – may the year and its curses end -- to the year of 5785 – may the year and its blessings begin. The roar of the Rav’s "Barechu" ascended and pierced all the firmaments, for at that time, Rabbeinu HaKadosh, leads all his flock to be judged favorably!

After the first evening Amidah of Rosh Hashanah, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a, as he did last year, honored his grandson and assistant, Reb Aharon Zucker, to recite "L'David Mizmor," which is customarily recited after the Amidah. Moreinu HaRav shlit"a then concluded the prayer with "Aleinu LeShabeach," "Adon Olam," and "Yigdal Elokim Chai." After the final Kaddish, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a blessed the congregation, "To immediately be inscribed and sealed for a good year, for a good life and peace!"  With heartfelt emotions, the congregation returned the blessing of “Shana Tova" to Moreinu HaRav shlit"a.

AND YOU ARE GOD, THE LIVING AND ENDURING KING -- THE FIRST DAY OF ROSH HASHANAH

At 4:31 AM, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a came out for the Shacharit prayer on the balcony of his home. After the morning blessings, he began with the niggun of "Urra Na" from the sections recited after Tikkun Chatzot. He then continued with the Morning Zemirot and Pesukei D’Zimra with great vitality and phenomenal arousal. Together with the psalms and niggunim that Moreinu HaRav shlit"a customarily sings at length every Shabbat, such as the niggun for "HaNechamadim MiZahav," which lasted about five minutes with great vitality, the Rav stood on his balcony, with great passion, vitalizing the entire congregation with his holy movements.

At 6:20, the congregation sang "HaEl B'Tatzumot Uzechah," and then silence fell... the moment of coronation. With both hands raised, and his face aflame like fire, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a roared "HaMelech" (The King), and the entire congregation responded after him with fiery enthusiasm, clapping their hands. After the coronation, the Rav honored his grandson and assistant, Rav Naftali Zucker, to continue leading the prayers, up to the "BaMa'kheilot" verse, after which they continued with the niggun of "Yishtabach." It’s worth noting that Moreinu HaRav shlit"a did not extend the singing after "Yishtabach" at all, but immediately honored once again Rav Naftali Zucker to recite "Shir HaMa’alot."

At the conclusion, the Rav said Kaddish and Barechu and in “Yotzer Or,” he again honored Rav Naftali Zucker with “Orot Meufal Amar Vayhi.” Afterwards, from “HaMeir La’aretz V’ladarim Aleha” until the Amidah, the Rav shlit”a continued with the regular liturgy of Shuvu Banim of Shabbat and Yom Tov.  After the Amidah, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a entered his house and after about ten minutes, came down to the Beit Midrash and honored the Chazzan Rav Yosef Shor to lead the repetition of the Amidah of the first day.  At around 8:05, the repetition of Shacharit was completed, and the Torah reading began.  The Rav shlit”a read the Haftarah – the Haftarah of Hannah’s prayer.

After the Torah reading, immediately without interruption, the well-known Baal Toke’a (Shofar blower), the Chazzan of Shacharit, Rav Yosef Shor, ascended the holy Bimah, and at the side of the Rav shlit”a, began to roar from the depths of his heart the verses of the Shofar blasts.  With a still silent voice, two blessings were heard, and the pure voice of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a was heard reading out the order of Shofar blasts with great arousal.  The saying of the word “Tekia” by the Rav shlit”a is enough to arouse to repentance all the hearts gathered in his holy presence.  Between each series of Shofar blasts, the Rav said the “Yehi Ratzion” of the blasts.

At 8:40, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a sent his grandson and attendant, the chazzan Reb Naftali Zucker shlita, to lead the Musaf prayer for the first day. Reb Naftali, known for his pleasant voice, moved the congregation with his heart-stirring chazzanut in the Breslov tradition. During the repetition of the Amidah, they sang “Vekarev Pizurenu” and “V'Havienu L'Tzion Irecha” twice. The first time, they sang both melodies together for a full twenty minutes. The second time, during the conclusion of the Shofrot, they sang again for about ten minutes. Both times, it was awe-inspiring to behold the Rav's holy face, aflame with fiery devotion, as his pure and crystal-clear eyes were raised heavenward, sweetening harsh decrees for all of Israel and bringing down a good and sweet year.

It is important to mention the immense self-sacrifice that is unparalleled in the whole world. Despite his advanced age, may he live long, and his health challenges, as well as the many tribulations he endured—having just returned by flight the day before the holiday—Moreinu HaRav shlit"a exerted himself, controlling his pained body with a mighty king's strength of mind, reigning over his heart and body. He bowed during “Aleinu LeShabe'ach” at the opening of “Seder Malchuyot.”

At the conclusion of Malchuyot, Zichronot, and Shofrot, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a called out the order of the shofar blasts to the Baal Toke'a Rav Yosef Shor.  At the end of Musaf, all emotions burst forth during the final Kaddish with the joyous niggun of “Yehei Shlama Rabba Min Shemaya.”  It is impossible to describe the overwhelming joy that embodied the simple understanding of “and rejoice with trembling.”

Only at 11:18 did the Musaf repetition conclude, after six hours and forty-seven minutes, when the Rav returned to his holy home to the sound of the song “For may length of days and years of life be added for you,” with great vitality and joy.

At 6:40 PM, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a emerged for the Mincha prayer of the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Moreinu HaRav shlit"a led the prayer as the Shaliach Tzibbur, uniquely blending the Breslov and Shuvu Banim traditions, bound together with majesty. After the Amidah, Moreinu HaRav shlit"a recited the psalm 'Lamnatzeach al Hagittit' and concluded the Mincha prayer of the first day of Rosh Hashanah at precisely 7:00 PM.

FOR COVERAGE OF THE SECOND DAY OF ROSH HASHANAH, CLICK HERE [https://ravberland.com/comprehensive-review-of-the-days-of-rosh-hashanah-with-rabbi-eliezer-berland-shlita-part-ii/]