Rabbi Nachman Horowitz shlit"a – "Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Bender said: If Rabbi Berland can bring his students to such a level, it is a sign that he himself is on a very, very high level"

After the success of the previous class by Rabbi Nachman Horowitz shlit"a, we are happy to bring you the next class, featuring almost unfathomable words about our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. Rabbi Nachman Horowitz shlit"a, the grandson of Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz zt"l—who was one of the greats of Breslov Chassidus in the previous generation—brings us warm words, the kind that can almost only come from him.

"Once, my father told our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, that he must not give up and must continue to bring the entire Nation of Israel back in teshuvah (repentance). 'You have engaged in so much mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice),' my father told him."

"Rabbi Berland said that a wife is twice as much as the husband [in spiritual capacity], but she will conduct herself however you accustom her—whatever you put in becomes double the light."

"Once I traveled with The Rav to a class given by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Bender zt"l. On the way, Rabbi Berland shlit"a told me that a person is certain that the entire Geulah (Redemption) depends on whether he voices his opinion on every single matter. However, The Rav said in the name of Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov that in the Torah, there is no commandment to be humble, because [trying] to be humble is the greatest pride there is. Yet, The Rav said that in truth, being humble is a reality; Rebbe Nachman flows humility into a person."

"The avreich (Torah student) Yaakov Levi from the Yeshiva told me that once, when our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a was in the USA, he met a scientist who belonged to an atomic development team. Within 10 minutes, The Rav gave him a formula for creating an atomic bomb. On that occasion, The Rav said to the scientist, 'Is it wisdom to kill a million people? Rebbe Nachman has the wisdom of how to revive a million people! Make an atomic bomb against arrogance,' said The Rav shlit"a."

"Our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a said that arrogance is such a strong thing that even if a person were cut into a thousand pieces, every piece would still remain with arrogance. However, The Rav shlit"a said that Rebbe Nachman has such a bomb that can explode the arrogance and leave the person alive."

"The Rav was completely nullified to the holy Steipler (Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky zt"l) and would ask him about everything. One day, he told him that he had found such a tzaddik (Rebbe Nachman) who could take him out even from Gehinnom. 'Can you promise me such a thing?' The Rav asked the Steipler. The Steipler told him that he could not promise him such a thing, and if he had found such a tzaddik, then he was obligated to draw close to him."

"With all the greatness of the Steipler zt"l, it is told that when he saw our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a walking in the street, he stood up to his full height—and he was 80 years old—until The Rav shlit"a disappeared from his sight."

"They asked Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Bender zt"l what his opinion was regarding Rabbi Berland shlit"a, and he answered, 'His students bring all their money to the Kimcha D'Pischa (charity for Passover needs) that I manage. If he can bring his students to such a level, it is a sign that he himself is on a very, very high level.'"

"Our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a used to walk for weeks in the fields in Hisbodedus (secluded prayer). Once, The Rav left his home and began walking in the fields from the east, and continued walking until he had traversed the entire length of the fields of the Land of Israel."