Rabbi Moshe Spitzer shlit"a with Rare Words Regarding the Youth of the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

The Chassidic Rabbi, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Spitzer shlit"a, has known the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, for 55 years, ever since they studied together at the Knesses Chizkiyahu Yeshiva in Kfar Chasidim. In a rare conversation with the Breslov Emet Line (02-800-8800 from Israel, 18456400007 from the USA, 442038073333 from the UK), he sheds light on sublime points from the past of The Rav shlit"a—matters that continue and ascend to this very day.

"Rabbi Berland was considered the holiest student in the Yeshiva. It is impossible to describe the diligence (hasmadah) he possessed even then in his studies. Without any exaggeration, Rabbi Berland could sit and learn for hours upon hours consecutively while standing. His conduct served as an example in the Yeshiva, as all his ways were measured according to Halacha," relates Rabbi Spitzer.

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"I knew him excellently, and any student who arrived at the Yeshiva and wanted to receive an example of conduct in holiness and abstinence (prishus)—I would show him Rabbi Berland shlit"a. For example, as a general rule, he minimized his speech, but when the month of Elul arrived, he would not speak at all. These things were rare, and all the more so for a young man. Rabbi Berland never took part in trips and the like; he was simply something unique in his kind."

"I followed him afterwards for years and saw his ascent. Although he rose higher and higher, this man is holy from his mother's womb. The only business he had was with Torah and prayer. His entire conduct—eating, walking—everything was only within Torah and prayer."

"I hear the murmurings and slander surrounding him recently, but I can say to all those who follow him: Fortunate are you that you have such a leader. And I do not say these things lightly; I am not a Breslov Chassid nor a Chassid of Rabbi Berland shlit"a, but truly, he is a very great man. Without any doubt, these are tests that Heaven has given him, and he must pass through this."

"I am very astonished that they could attach any stain to him at all, for there is no such thing. Anyone who has known him from years past knows his spiritual ascent, his holiness, and his Torah."

"His entire objective is to bring people close to our Father in Heaven, and without any doubt, all his deeds are for the sake of Heaven. After all, I studied with him for several years, and one cannot play games; one can pretend for a certain time, but not for years. For years upon years, the essence of Rabbi Berland shlit"a had no connection whatsoever to the material world."

"His stubbornness in the service of Hashem was legendary. He could stand for hours and study aloud—learning and learning. His prayer was aloud and with self-sacrifice (mesirus nefesh); you saw upon him the fulfillment of the verse, 'All my bones shall say [Lord, who is like You].'"

"In his time, Rabbi Berland shlit"a was strict like the Chazon Ish not to use electricity on Shabbat. Therefore, he connected a flashlight with a battery to his shtender (lectern) so as not to use the light in the Yeshiva that came from the electrical grid."

"The students in the Yeshiva used to go to the sea a little on Erev Shabbat (Friday). I asked Rabbi Berland shlit"a why he never joined them, and he answered me, 'Leave me be from these things.'"

"I never saw him tease anyone or speak about anyone. He never sat with the students who sat outside and chatted after learning. You only saw Rabbi Berland shlit"a involved in matters of Torah and holiness. He would literally sing his learning with great vitality. I loved him and was close to him."

"I remember there was a large military reprisal operation and all the students were talking about it. I asked him, 'Rabbi Eliezer, do you not know what happened?' He hushed me so that I would not interrupt him from his learning, saying in my direction: 'Nu, nu, nu.'"

"Everything I have told is the absolute truth of Torah. I have spoken the truth, but only a little; there is much, much more. I cannot bring out everything I feel regarding Rabbi Berland shlit"a, but this is the absolute truth."