BS"D Knishta Chada Issue 44 - Month of Cheshvan 5776

Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and they that return of her with righteousness

The Prophecy of the Intifada

Nine months ago, Rabbi Berland shlit"a sent a message, which we published in issues 39-40, in which he called upon the Nation of Israel to stop the new Intifada. "We are in a new Intifada, a terrible Intifada that is spreading across the entire globe; it is impossible to stop it..." The Rav cited the Rambam (Laws of the Foundations of the Torah 7:7) who says: Anyone who walks in the path of Torah and says he received a prophecy, we are obligated to believe him just as we believe two witnesses. "This is a vision of the End of Days. Jacob feared to reveal what would happen in the End of Days," added the Rav shlit"a. "This Intifada is with the encouragement of the entire world. The whole world applauds for every Jew who is murdered and killed. The whole world spurs on this Intifada, all the nations. Everyone already regrets that Hitler did not finish the job; everyone curses Hitler asking why he didn't finish the job. They are now relying on the Ishmaelites [Arabs], 'And Esau went and took Machalat the daughter of Ishmael,'" continued the Rav shlit"a, sharpening the message for us. "Everyone must be ready to sacrifice their soul for Kiddush Hashem (Sanctification of God's Name). However, the true self-sacrifice (mesirus nefesh) is guarding the eyes. If a person guards their eyes, there will be a sweetening (mitigation of judgments). All the harsh decrees are because we do not guard our eyes. With every [improper] opening of the eyes, a Jew is killed; with every opening of an eye, a Jew is stabbed." When Mordechai the Tzaddik went out into the city streets, he tore his clothes and cried a great cry, declaring that a decree of annihilation was pending over the Nation of Israel. Most Jews did not listen. Only nine years later, when Haman's decrees began to materialize, did they see that Mordechai was right. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov says that the true Tzaddik sees everything through a clear looking-glass, clear as the sun; he sees all the decrees before they are decreed, sacrifices his soul, and awakens the people to prevent bloodshed. To our sorrow, people do not listen to him. The Rav shlit"a then instructed a clear path to prevent the Intifada, so that with God's help it would not come: "All the Nation of Israel must participate now! There is an Intifada here! Every Jew is in danger! Everyone must join the Pidyon (redemption) of the Kollel with $10 or more. Every Jew without exception—one will give 10, one will give 60, one will give 100, until we reach 600,000—corresponding to the 600,000 souls of Israel. Every Jew, without exception, should raise the donation of his hand, from $10 and up, until we reach $600,000, and through this, we will sweeten the new Intifada, and we will merit complete Geulah (Redemption) speedily in our days, Amen." The Rav made every effort to awaken the Nation of Israel; however, they were still very far from the required sum needed to sweeten the judgments over the 600,000 souls of Israel. Then, during the holiday of Sukkot, when the current Intifada arrived and everyone saw that the Rav's prophecy was coming true—terror attack following terror attack, and stabbings, to our sorrow, became a common occurrence—we received a massive flood of phone calls. People suddenly remembered the words of the Rav shlit"a from over nine months ago and wanted to give the Pidyon for the salvation of the Nation of Israel. However, the way to sweeten judgments *before* the decree is different from the way *after* it has been set in motion. The Rav shlit"a has now written another letter in which he notes that the way to stop the current Intifada is through the verse "Everyone who is written for life in Jerusalem" (Isaiah 4:3)—to give life to the residents of Jerusalem and the Land by donating the numerical value of "L'Chaim" (To Life), which is 98 NIS, and to pray for all the dwellers of the Land of Israel, and specifically for those dwelling in Jerusalem, that no evil shall befall them, etc. The segulah (spiritual remedy) of the Pidyon is recognized and well-known. "Mamon" (money) in the language of our Sages is called "Damim" (blood/money), and to sweeten judgments, one needs self-sacrifice and the spilling of blood. However, instead of actual spilling of blood, Heaven forbid, it is better to sacrifice oneself and spill money. Then the verse "Charity saves from death" will be fulfilled, and with God's help, we will see no more bloodshed in our land. A Pidyon where everyone gives a fixed amount is called "Pidyon HaKollel," and it is what sweetens the judgments over the entire Nation of Israel. May we hear good news. Amen.

For the benefit of the public, we have brought the letter here in full:

BS"D Lishua'atcha Kiviti Hashem (For Your salvation I hope, O Lord) 1 Cheshvan 5776, Coming of Mashiach = 776 To the entire Nation of Israel in every place, peace and the blessing of Hashem be upon them, may they live! After the terrible murders with the assistance and encouragement of the European Union, which have been occurring from the first day of Sukkot until now and do not cease for a second, and Jewish blood flows like water to the joy of all the nations of the world without exception—for death has climbed through our windows, and is spreading all over the globe to stab every Jew wherever he is a Jew. All the nations of the world have risen against us with one mouth so that the name of Israel will no longer be remembered. Moab and the Hagrites, Edom and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre, all with one mouth, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate, children and women in one day. And every day's trouble is greater than the one before it, and every single minute we hear and read about new victims, and there is no one to open their mouth or chirp [in protest]. On the contrary, everyone blames the Nation of Israel and says they are worse than the Nazis, and the primary mission of all the nations of the world is to exterminate the seed of Israel from the face of the earth. And there is no Jew today who is safe in his life, neither in the Land of Israel nor in any other land. Therefore, we have decided unanimously that every single Jew in every place must donate 98 Shekels corresponding to the verse "Everyone who is written for life [=98] in Jerusalem" and transfer everything to- INTERNATIONAL SHUVU BANIM In the merit of our holy and awesome Rebbe (Rebbe Nachman) that he may save us from all evil And in the merit of the holy and pure Torah Your faithful servant Eliezer Berland (Every head of a household donates 98 NIS for the entire family, which is the gematria of "Peh Echad" (One Mouth/Unanimously) and the gematria of "L'Chaim" (To Life), corresponding to the 98 curses in the Torah, to sweeten the judgments over the entire Nation of Israel).

The Holy Rabbi Aharon Benita Hy"d (May God Avenge his Blood)

A heavy cloud accompanied the Shabbat of Chol HaMoed (Intermediate Days of) Sukkot following the murder of the holy couple, the parents of the Henkin family Hy"d. Despite this, the Nation of Israel strives with strength of spirit to fulfill the commandment of the holiday "And you shall rejoice in your festival," as the night of 'Hoshana Rabba' approaches, and with it, they anticipate the salvation that will come. But no, a fierce trembling shakes the foundations, as the wailing sirens of the security and rescue forces are heard all the way to HaChoma HaShlishit Street. "We ran with all our strength toward the noise," describes Rabbi Yosef Gal shlit"a regarding the moments of terror that he and his wife, Rebbetzin Miriam Gal tichyeh, experienced. "We didn't even wait for any notification; our hearts trembled. After all, we had asked the children that perhaps this time they should pray nearby and not walk alone to the Western Wall. Although you live in Beitar Illit and it doesn't happen every day that you are within walking distance of the Western Wall, nevertheless, the period is tense and... the heart, it cannot be explained in words, but something inside feels not good. But they held to their strong argument – 'We want to fulfill the mitzvah that is so dear to us, the pilgrimage to the remnant of our Holy Temple.'" It is impossible to describe in words how Rabbi Gal, one of the prominent rabbis of the 'Shuvu Banim' community, sounded as he eulogized his holy son-in-law, Rabbi Aharon Benita Hy"d. This special man, upon whose face a strengthening smile was always spread, who always found profound sayings that swept one into simple faith (Emunah Temimah). "It is good that they worried about me at first and told me that Aharon was only wounded. He was like a son to me, like a friend, gentle of soul, entirely giving. A true Chassid who walked with Rebbe Nachman's advice with self-sacrifice and innocence. Now that many friends and good visitors have come to us, we are recovering and strengthening ourselves. And thank God, there are also the babies who remain, and we must be strong for them as well. Naftali, two and a half years old, who was scratched on his back and shot in his leg, and his baby sister, seven months old, may they live." Aharon Hy"d was murdered at the very end of the 20th of Tishrei, Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot, as they were on their way back from the Western Wall. Together with my daughter Adel tichyeh and two baby strollers, they did not expect to be alone in a hostile environment without any Jew or security forces around. The terrorist, a son of Belial, pounced on them and attacked Adel first, stabbing her 13 times. She resisted, and Aharon also struck him, but he continued. Later, even though a knife was stuck in him, Aharon tackled him to the ground, a moment before his death. Rabbi Nechemia Lavi Hy"d, a great hero who heard the screams and sacrificed his soul to help—he took the two children by the hand, and had he not done so, the terrorist would have killed them too. Only the words of our Teacher, the Rav shlit"a, can explain how, despite Rabbi Nechemia jumping in ready with a weapon, the terrorist succeeded in carrying out his despicable plot. These are his words: "It is hard for us to hear the difficult and terrible news of the horrific murder that happened today, that a holy and pure avreich (Torah student) from our holy community was murdered by a villain in the prime of his life, at the peak of his blossoming. One must know that the holy Rabbi Aharon Benita Hy"d, and also the father and mother who were murdered last week with terrible cruelty in front of their children, they went as an atonement (kapparah) for the Nation of Israel; they sweetened a Holocaust from upon us. Hashem Yitbarach is awakening us to return in repentance (teshuvah) in truth. Let us begin to love and care for one another in truth. If a person sees that his friend's child is not studying, teach him yourself; let there be gratuitous love (ahavat chinam) between us." The holy sayings of the Rav shlit"a, which are so necessary for us, especially in these times, are what can explain how a hero like Rabbi Nechemia, who jumped quickly with a weapon in his hand, still could not overcome the abominable terrorist. "In the word 'Arvi' (Arab), there are the letters of 'Avera' (sin/transgression). The sins clothe themselves in the Arab, in the terrorist, and by power of this, he causes damage. Then, due to our iniquities, holy and pure victims are seized. When a Jew goes out to the street, it is like going out to battle; he must guard his eyes. Our holy Rebbe says that it is impossible to acquire the holy Torah without guarding the Covenant (Shmiras HaBrit), without exiting all lusts. Therefore, we need to immerse ourselves as much as possible in the study of Shas (Talmud), so that not a day passes without Gemara study, and this is what truly subdues all the kelipot (husks of impurity). And may Hashem Yitbarach say 'enough' to our troubles and send us Mashiach Tzidkenu very soon, Amen." "At the Shabbat table, it was very pleasant and uplifting," Rabbi Gal concludes his words with a story that continues to give chills. "We held a quiz on Choshen Mishpat, and Aharon answered wonderful answers from the tractates of Bava Kamma and Bava Metzia. In between, I opened the Zohar at random to a section that speaks about the need to go to the Tzaddikim and the Holy Patriarchs so they will request mercy for the Nation of Israel, so we agreed that we would travel to Rashbi (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai). Aharon wanted to stay awake all night to study with Yitzchaki and afterwards go to do Hisbodedus in the field. We have no questions against Heaven; we know that everything is for the best and that Hashem Yitbarach knows well what He is doing. It is more pleasant for us to remember how, just a short time ago, Aharon traveled to Uman with supreme self-sacrifice. A heavy burden of debt lay upon him from the execution office amounting to thirty thousand shekels, and even though he and my daughter were literally on the verge of needing charity for bread, they still saved shekel by shekel into a box for half a year, with the holy journey at the forefront of their minds. In addition to this, he had to run between lawyers to help him reduce the cases. And if that wasn't enough, he faced a difficult hurdle in the form of the IDF, which under no circumstances permitted him to leave the country. Aharon did not want to be conscripted; he wanted to continue his holy work in the path of the Patriarchs and according to the advice of our holy Rebbe. But since he was not registered in any Kollel, he could not obtain an exemption. He sacrificed his soul to fulfill the Rebbe's command to be with him for Rosh Hashanah, even though he knew that upon his return to Israel he would stand trial for it. This, and many other hidden deeds stored in the treasuries of Heaven, will stand for him in the World of Truth. Rabbi Aharon Hy"d was buried in the Chassidim plot at Har HaMenuchot. We add with pain that Aharon always said that when his time came, he wanted to die for Kiddush Hashem. May his memory be blessed, and may he stand as an advocate for us and for all of Israel, until He says 'enough' to our troubles and to the breaking of Zion our city. And if all this were not enough, we will tell that the surgery of Adel tichyeh took many hours and her condition was very critical. When they called and asked the Rav what to do, the Rav said to transfer a Pidyon, and indeed the situation improved miraculously. Against the entire course of events, the doctor suddenly came out of the operating room and announced a Heavenly change in her medical condition. A miracle beyond the ordinary—13 stab wounds in the upper body. Thank God, Adel and her sons came out healthy and whole. We all wish her and her family a complete healing of body and soul. May it be the will of our Father in Heaven that we know no more pain forever.

Spinka

There are many stories surrounding the connections of our Teacher, the Rav shlit"a, with the leaders of the generation and the giants of Torah, but there is nothing better than hearing it from the master of the event himself. And so, Avreimi, a guitarist in the 'Hamagnim' band, tells us that when the honorable Admor (Rebbe) of Spinka USA arrived for a visit in Israel, the band had the merit to enter the inner sanctum. Avreimi relates that at first, he was surprised to hear how tight the connection between the Admor and the Rav is, and how much the Admor holds the Rav to be a giant in Torah and distinguished in Chassidus. "I studied for many hours with the Rav shlit"a," the Admor told him, as if sharing a secret. "I even needed to travel to Holland to the Rav, but to my sorrow, the Rav left there, and I am meanwhile waiting for an opportune time." However, Avreimi was even more surprised by the Admor's continuing words. "To the sorrow of our hearts, my daughter tichyeh suffered in her head from the terrible illness. Things reached a point where she was falling all the time and simply could not walk." The Admor opened the enclosure of his heart in front of the astonished Avreimi. "At the first opportunity that came before me, I came and discussed this before the Rav shlit"a, and indeed the Rav promised me that she would walk. I asked the Rav—'And if not?'—The Rav answered me that if so, I would have to return again." Upon arriving home, the Admor tried to walk his daughter, but to his sorrow, she fell. "I almost fell in my spirit," continued the Admor to describe to Avreimi much more than he expected. "But, quickly I made a personal accounting and asked myself why I even asked the Rav shlit"a—'And if not?' The next day I returned to the Rav, only this time I did not question him... and look at this wonder, on that very day my daughter returned to walking. Since then, thank God, my daughter has healed completely, and today she is already a mother of children, *a sach Yiddishe nachas* (a lot of Jewish joy)."

Friendship Not for the Sake of Heaven

Shlomo (pseudonym) sounds at first like just another young man; nothing betrays what is happening in his heart. But very quickly, his story evokes a feeling of identification among his listeners. "My friend did not grow up in a home that educated toward Torah and Mitzvot. In fact, as far as I know, they never explained to him that his deeds were fundamentally corrupt." Thus Shlomo opened the difficult story regarding his friend. "I came from a home that keeps Mitzvot, so I knew how severe the matter was, but he, what can I say... may Hashem have mercy. A few weeks ago, at the end of a school day, a guy not from our path approached my friend and began to chat with him. Before long, this conversation turned into a connection—with bad influences and everything that implies. I, of course, tried as much as I could to explain to my friend how much this hurts him, but my words fell on deaf ears. When I saw that I was achieving nothing with my speech, I went to ask advice from my righteous aunt, and to my surprise, my aunt immediately found a solution to the problem." "A Pidyon to the Tzaddik Rabbi Berland, that is the only thing that will save your friendship," she rained down upon me, and I looked at her with a wondering gaze. "I had heard there is a Rabbi named Rabbi Berland, but that he could help—I didn't yet understand how. And anyway, what is this Pidyon you are talking about, I asked my aunt." Shlomo continues and tells that in the following minutes, his aunt began to explain to him the virtue of Pidyon Nefesh, describing specific cases known to her. "At first it caught me by surprise," Shlomo shares the feelings that filled him at that time. "But very quickly I decided to 'throw away the intellect,' of course largely with my aunt's encouragement." "The amazing thing is that at the time I decided I was going to give the Pidyon to the Rav, even before I made contact with Natan Salomon, the Gabbai, illogical changes began to occur. If at first all my words were of no use, suddenly, as if on its own, conflicts began to arise with this terrible friend who was dragging my friend into the abyss. I was amazed by this and understood that there was something to it, so I turned to Natan the Gabbai who spoke with the Rav." "On the same day that I transferred the Pidyon, my friend calls me in anger and, as if speaking innocently, tells me that 'this guy' is not to his liking. 'What happened?' I ask him, trying to probe how far things had gone. 'He doesn't answer my calls, I think I'm cutting off this connection.' And indeed, from that day, my friend ended this terrible friendship; simply amazing." "At that time, my aunt also told me about the information lines dealing with the Rav's activities, and I, at first only out of curiosity, began to become aware of the wondrous reality surrounding the Rav. One of the things that drew my heart was the virtue of praying for the Rav, and specifically saying the Tikkun HaKlali for the healing and success of the Rav. And indeed, I took upon myself to say Tikkunim Klaliim and I directed this also for the success of my friend, whom it was a pity for me to lose. It is impossible to describe the good feeling that was born in my heart, like a caressing light guarding me all day. But, the most amazing thing of all is that a reality was created as if the Rav acts through me. So that if it happened by mistake that on a certain day I didn't say the Tikkun HaKlali, suddenly the friend calls me and says he is thinking about that shady friend and maybe he should call him. I already understood that words wouldn't help; I immediately hung up and started connecting myself by saying the Ten Holy Psalms... for the healing of the Rav shlit"a."

The Illness and the Most Precious of All

"Our connection with the Rav began five years ago, when they first discovered the illness in my wife." Doron Avivi (pseudonym) began unfolding his story. On the surface, the tone of speech is calm, but quickly one is sucked into a chain of events 'not of this world.' "Since then, we started getting closer to Breslov, to the books and advice of Rebbe Nachman, and we even merited to arrive several times at his holy gravesite in Uman." "In Nissan 5775, just a few months ago, while my wife was in her nineteenth week, she began to feel pains in her upper body, on both sides. To our horror, they discovered the illness in her." Doron relates that if that wasn't enough, over time additional lumps began to appear in other places in the body. "The problem from the doctors' perspective was that the 'state' my wife was in causes processes in the body that accelerate the disease, so in surgery, they said we must give up on what is most precious to us [the baby]. But no! My wife was determined that we must keep him." Therefore, they went to an expert oncologist. It is hard to digest the saga of suffering this family went through. "Meanwhile, to our sorrow, they found another lump, so the doctors said that if the examination reveals the tumor is spreading, then we will be forced to make the concession. If not, then they will wait until the 31st week, after which they will continue with more intensive treatment." "During this period, we visited many graves of Tzaddikim; we visited the Tzaddikim of the generation, Rabbi David Abuhatzeira shlit"a and Rabbi Yoram Abergel zt"l. They said there would be miracles and wonders, but emphasized that we must follow the doctors' advice, even if it involves a painful concession. 'You need to accept this with love and you must be strong,' they added before sending us off with a shining countenance. Their words strengthened us greatly, but under no circumstances did we want to give up on what was precious to us." "We knew in our hearts that with Rabbi Berland shlit"a there would be a salvation, remembering the great love he showered upon us the previous time we were with him. Although we hoped the work we did would suffice, inside we knew that eventually, we would turn to him." Before the results of the last test arrived, the Avivi family decided to contact the Rav shlit"a through the Gabbai Salomon, and indeed the Rav said to transfer a Pidyon. "This did not surprise us; given the severity of the situation, we already knew we would need great salvations." To their joy, the Rav repeated several times and emphasized that they must keep what is precious to them. However, they feared the illness due to her difficult condition, so they noted this to the Rav. "When the Rav heard this, he immediately changed his tone and told us to go with the doctors' advice, even regarding what is most precious to us. We entered a state of brokenheartedness, added to by the memories of treatments we had already experienced in the past." "Supernaturally, when we went to get the test results, and even though to our sorrow a tumor was found, the doctor told us to keep what is precious to us until the 31st week, just as the Rav had said initially." Doron is an avreich in a prestigious Kollel in the center of the country, and his external appearance does not betray the internal connection woven between him and Breslov Chassidus. But he is definitely alert to the chain of miracles that accompanied them along the way. "I have a friend who was formerly a Gabbai for the Rav, and he told me that in his opinion, the Rav wants to reveal the power of faith (Emunah) in you and bring it from potential into reality." Strengthened by this, they decided not to give up, and indeed after a few days, they contacted Salomon who informed them that the Rav invited them to Holland. "We traveled together, my wife and I. At first, we feared the 'impurity of the land of the nations,' but when we were with the Rav, we felt like we were in the Garden of Eden. Even though Holland is a permissive and not simple country, we felt as if the place became sanctified. We even merited to pray Shacharit with the Rav shlit"a while he held my hand for a long time. At the same time, my wife spoke with the Rebbetzin tlit"a, which touched her heart. And so, while we were there, the Rebbetzin went into the Rav and asked him to admit them now. The Rav shlit"a said that within 40 days everything would pass, and even gave us a personal prayer, as well as natural drops. In addition, the Rav gave us an order of joint study for my wife and me. However, strangely, as the forty days reached their end, my wife felt increasing pain, and strong pain was added in her hips, until all the doctors feared the disease had spread. Therefore, we spoke again with the Rav shlit"a who calmed us and said that within a week everything would work out, with God's help." "It didn't end there," smiles Doron. "At this stage, a puzzling thing happened again. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, we heard about some natural healer. Although her goal was only to relieve the pain and she was doubtful if she could help at all, suddenly after the treatment, a great improvement began which continued until everything passed." "We merited great miracles, viable offspring (fruit of the womb) that came, thank God, in its proper time, and health for both mother and child. Afterwards, tests were conducted on the mother, and the doctors were amazed by the results." As a strengthening conclusion, Doron adds: "When we arrived at the Rav for the first time, we left a letter in an envelope with questions and requests for a blessing. At the end of the letter, we noted in one line, which seemingly looked marginal, a request for livelihood (parnassah) for my brother. He had been stuck for years," adds Doron apologetically. "Even though he is a professional in a respected field, he still lived in our parents' home. Thus, against all statistics and the bleak past, that same week he found a respectable job where he works to this day, and he has even now moved into a new apartment that he purchased."

"This is the day Hashem has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it"

The association "Shuvu Banim International" was established at the request of our Teacher, the Rav shlit"a. After 60 years of activity in the Land of Israel, during which our Teacher, the Rav shlit"a, brought tens of thousands of people and families back in repentance (teshuvah) with supreme self-sacrifice, our Teacher, the Rav shlit"a, went abroad to continue this activity with greater intensity and strength, with the goal of bringing the entire Nation of Israel back in repentance wherever they are, and to stop the terrible assimilation in the world. Therefore, our Teacher, the Rav shlit"a, established the "Shuvu Banim International" system during this period, a vessel that will allow the drawing down of the great and awesome light of our holy Rebbe to every home in the Nation of Israel, everywhere. Hundreds—if not thousands—of people have already come closer to Judaism in the way of our holy Rebbe and our Teacher, the Rav shlit"a, through the activities of the Shuvu Banim International system. Synagogues and Breslov communities have opened in Miami, Los Angeles, New Jersey, and soon are going to open in New York, Canada, and other places in the world, with God's help. Our Teacher, the Rav shlit"a, gives top priority to supporting the Kollels, Talmud Torahs, Seminaries, and Cheiders in Jerusalem, for which he sacrificed his soul and continues today to raise the families and children close to his heart in spirituality and materiality, with support for the centers of Torah and prayer in Jerusalem, delivering classes and talks of strengthening, advice, and guidance in all areas of spiritual and material life. Our Teacher, the Rav shlit"a, is the sole supervisor and director of the association, and he decides himself on everything done in the Yeshiva—both in spirituality and materiality, on the division of roles and funds, management of the institutions, and the outreach system; everything is done by the managers he appointed and in full consultation with him, through continuous contact with the Rav regarding every subject. We invite you to join us for a spiritual revolution the likes of which has not been seen since the creation of the world. To order a representative to come to your home or for any question, you can call 052-718-6265

Prayer for the Rescue of the Nation of Israel from the Hand of Those Who Seek Its Life

Master of the World, Merciful and Gracious One, full of mercy, our heart is poured out like water over the blood of Israel that flows like water. Victor over all victors, Hero over all heroes, Mighty over all mighty ones. Please look upon our affliction and fight our battle, and see that we have become plunder and mockery in the eyes of all the nations, and they have abandoned us to killing and burning, murder and stoning. And every single day, the nations of the world incite against us the wolves of prey thirsty for blood, and they sentence us to killing and burning, strangulation and stoning, and every day's curse is greater than the one before it. And it has been close to two thousand years that we walk from exile to exile, to captivity in hunger and shame. And in the days of the Inquisition, they burned us at the stake, and in the days of the Holocaust, they put us into ovens of fire. And still, the nations of the world have not been sated from our flesh and our blood, and they still seek the blood of Israel, and declare wars of annihilation and destruction upon us, similar to the crusades of blood that were in the time of Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam and the Baalei Tosafot. And Jewish blood flows in the streets day and night, at all hours of the day, and from every corner, we hear the cries of widows and orphans and bereaved parents, and almost entire families are wiped out week after week. Death has climbed through our windows and restricted our steps from walking in our streets. And every heart melts like water and our wounds are incurable. For it has come unto Judah; it has reached unto the gate of my people, unto Jerusalem. For this I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked; I will make a wailing like the jackals, and a mourning like the ostriches (Micah 1:8-9). O God, keep not silence; hold not Your peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, Your enemies are in an uproar; and they that hate You have lifted up the head. They hold crafty converse against Your people, and take counsel against Your treasured ones. They have said: 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.' For they have consulted together with one consent; against You do they make a covenant; The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also is joined with them; they have been an arm to the children of Lot. Selah. Do unto them as unto Midian; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook Kishon; Who were destroyed at En-dor; they became as dung for the earth. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb; and like Zebah and Zalmunna all their princes; Who said: 'Let us take to ourselves in possession the habitations of God.' O my God, make them like the whirling dust; as stubble before the wind. As the fire that burneth the forest, and as the flame that setteth the mountains on fire; So pursue them with Your tempest, and terrify them with Your storm. Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek Your name, O Lord. Let them be ashamed and affrighted for ever; yea, let them be abashed and perish; That they may know that it is You alone whose name is the Lord, the Most High over all the earth (Psalms 83). For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand; I had rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord giveth grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, happy is the man that trusteth in You (Psalms 84). And fulfill in us the verses: Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God. Bid Jerusalem take heart, and proclaim unto her, that her time of service is accomplished, that her guilt is paid off; that she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. Hark! one calleth: 'Clear ye in the wilderness the way of the Lord, make plain in the desert a highway for our God.' O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah: 'Behold your God!' Behold, the Lord God will come as a Mighty One, and His arm will rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. Even as a shepherd that feedeth his flock, that gathereth the lambs in his arm, and carrieth them in his bosom, and gently leadeth those that give suck. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the rugged shall be made level, and the rough places a plain; And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken (Isaiah 40). From the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a