On Tuesday of last week, the night of the 7th of Elul, our teacher, the Rav Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days), unexpectedly began his journey toward the Rosh Hashanah Kibbutz (the traditional gathering) of 5785. At the beginning of the week, his grandson and gabbai (attendant) was interviewed on the Breslov Chassidim information line (*9148), where he answered questions regarding why the Rav shlit"a moved up his departure to Uman, the Rav's medical condition during the travels, and shared a special account of the past Shabbat—Parshat Ki Teitzei—spent in the Rav's presence on the way to Uman. Here is the full interview:

First of all, why did the Rav hurry and move up his trip so early? Truthfully, it depends on the Rav himself. In recent months, he expressed his desire several times to travel to Uman early this year, and so we did as he wished. We know that the Rav shlit"a left his home on Tuesday, the 7th of Elul. Until Friday, there was silence in the media; there was Siyata D'Shmaya (Divine assistance) in that they managed to keep it a secret. Baruch Hashem (Blessed be Hashem), Hashem cares for the Tzaddik and arranges all matters to be as they should be. At the Rav's age, how does he feel health-wise when he is not at home? Baruch Hashem, the Rav feels well. Last week, a medical issue developed; of course, the appropriate medications were brought immediately. The Rav is under constant medical supervision by his personal doctors, just as he is at home. Baruch Hashem, the issue was resolved, but of course, this is the place to urge everyone to pray for our teacher, the Rav shlit"a. At such an age, every small problem becomes complex and requires monitoring. But Baruch Hashem, currently, the Rav feels excellent. You spent Shabbat Parshat "Ki Teitzei" in the presence of our teacher, the Rav shlit"a. We would be happy to hear how the Shabbat passed in his holy company? Baruch Hashem, as everyone knows, the Rav remains himself wherever he is, regardless of how many people are with him. The Rav sang all the prayers, both during Kabbalat Shabbat (the Friday night service) with "Lecha Dodi" at length, and during the Shabbat meals, he sang all the zemiros (songs) and did not skip a single melody. In particular, he repeated "Shalom Aleichem" at length, as well as "Yah Ribbon" at the section "Ravrevin" (Mighty), as is his holy custom every single Shabbat. During the night meal, the Rav intended to finish the Shabbat night meal and had already begun "Shir HaMa'alos" (Song of Ascents). Then he remembered that he hadn't said Torah (a spiritual discourse) at the table. So, our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, began to speak about Parshat "Ki Teitzei" and said that "Ki Teitzei" (When you go out) has the same Gematria (numerical value) as "Chatan v'Kallah" (Groom and Bride), explaining that for a groom and bride, it is called "going out to war." The Rav even mentioned the holy Or HaChaim on the verse "and you shall capture its captivity," explaining that we raise all the sparks—the souls of the Tzaddikim that are found within the wicked, just as Rabbi Akiva's soul was in the temple of Sisera. Similarly, Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes was a descendant of Nero Caesar, and Shemaya and Avtalyon were the children of converts. Only after the words of Torah did the Rav recite Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals). In answer to your question, in the Rav's personal Divine service, no difference is visible whether the Rav is with the public or alone.

It is known that our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, has tens of thousands of books in his home. Which books is the Rav shlit"a using on his journey? Baruch Hashem, we took several suitcases of the Rav's books, including Shas (Talmud), Rambam, and Zohar. It should be noted that the Rav sits and learns with awesome diligence twenty-four hours a day, literally, over the books! In recent years, the Rav has been busy with public needs, receiving the crowd, and giving classes, so he learns less than he would like. However, here the Rav is diligent over the books with immense concentration; he speaks very little and is only immersed in his learning. A very interesting point is that the Rav is primarily occupied with a book called "Zevach Pesach"—this is a book on the topic of the Passover sacrifice in the Rambam. Our teacher, the Rav, is simply entirely occupied with this topic; for dozens of hours, without exaggeration, the Rav is immersed only in this subject. He learns it with the Rambam and the tractate of Zevachim regarding the laws of Pesach and their commentaries. What's interesting is that we usually know the Rav shlit"a to deal more in his learning with Choshen Mishpat (civil law)—the Ktzot HaChoshen and various Talmudic topics. Here, the Rav shlit"a is learning Zevachim with the greatest "bren" (fiery enthusiasm) and deep analysis. This is an interesting and fascinating point in itself.

As you know, when the Rav is not here, there are all sorts of unfounded rumors. When will we be able to hear another update?We hope that toward Rosh Hashanah we will be able to clarify matters further. This is the place to arouse the public not to think that because the Rav is not at home, everything is settled. One must know that there are still many "menios" (obstacles) on the way to Uman, and one must not stop praying that all obstacles be broken and the Rav be able to pass all the barriers on the way to the Kibbutz. Regarding the rumors, it can be said that most of the things published are incorrect and are all just rumors. Everyone thinks something to themselves and already believes they are receiving some confirmation from another rumor that reached them, and thus everything turns into a rumor mill. Especially since the media jumps on every such report and publishes it immediately. There is no reason to be alarmed or pressured by any rumor; one only needs to pray that already this year our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, will succeed in reaching Uman to gather with all our Anash (our community) for Rosh Hashanah. Finally, was there any talk or encouragement you heard regarding our holy Rebbe and the trip for Rosh Hashanah? Truthfully, as I mentioned, the Rav is very immersed in the books and speaks very little with us. However, among the few words spoken, I saw that the Rav literally connects everything to Rabbeinu (Rebbe Nachman). Every word I mentioned, he immediately connected it. The Rav mentioned that Rabbeinu is the "Rosh Bayit" (Head of the House)—the "Bereishit" (Beginning). He said a sharp word: that Adam HaRishon (the first man) did not have Rabbeinu, and therefore he did not merit to be saved from the sin. But one must know that now that we have our holy Rebbe, we must hold onto him and believe in him. He spoke high words; it seems that the Rav shlit"a is in truly lofty places in preparation for what we will merit. Reb Naftali Zucker, we truly thank you for the interview. This is the place to mention again to pray that we merit that the Rav shlit"a succeeds in reaching the Rosh Hashanah Kibbutz in Uman, in general, together with all our community, in good health and great light!

Below is exclusive documentation of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, diligent in his studies during his journey to Uman toward Rosh Hashanah: