Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Adar – Parashat Terumah

COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE PRAYERS AND SHIURIM HELD ON SHABBAT KODESH OF ROSH CHODESH ADAR, PARASHAT TERUMAH – SHEKALIM, 1ST OF ADAR 5785, IN THE PRESENCE OF MOREINU HARAV ELIEZER BERLAND SHLIT”A:

SHABBAT NIGHT

At 5:09 P.M., Moreinu HaRav shlit”a stepped onto the balcony of his home for the Mincha prayer of Erev Shabbat, adorned in his Shabbat clothes. For 20 minutes, the congregation sang "Or Zarua L’Tzadik." Following this, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a stood for the Mincha prayer. After completing Mincha of Erev Shabbat, he recited the Seder HaHitkashrut word-by-word, with the entire congregation responding after him. He then began Kabbalat Shabbat, singing all the Tehilim from "Lechu Neranena" to "Mizmor L’David."

Afterward, he led the singing of "Lecha Dodi," which lasted for 30 minutes. At the conclusion of Kabbalat Shabbat, he recited "Kegavna" and proceeded with the Maariv prayer of Friday night with songs and niggunim. After Maariv, as he does every Shabbat, Moreinu HaRav continued with the Shabbat Zemirot. The prayers concluded at 7:47 P.M., after a total of 2 hours and 38 minutes.

SHACHARIT

For Shacharit, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a came out at 04:24. He began with the verses from Tikkun Chatzot that are customarily recited on Shabbat and holidays, followed by Zemirot HaBoker and Korbanot. After approximately 45 minutes, upon finishing the recitation of Korbanot, he said the blessing on his tallit and began reciting "Hodu LaHashem Kiru Bishmo" and Pesukei D’Zimra as on every Shabbat, with melodies and great fervor. He extended the singing of "Ki Kol Peh Lecha Yodeh" for 10 minutes. The Amidah prayer was recited precisely at 06:25.

HALLEL FOR ROSH CHODESH

Immediately after the Chazzan’s repetition of the Amidah, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a began reciting Hallel for Rosh Chodesh. During Hallel, he extended the singing with joy and vitality, especially in the sections "B’tzet Yisrael MiMitzrayim" for about 15 minutes, "Hodu LaHashem Ki Tov" for about 20 minutes, and "Ana Hashem Hoshia Na" for about 5 minutes. The entire Hallel lasted approximately 45 minutes.

TORAH READING

After completing Hallel, the Rav entered his home for a brief 10-minute break, while the congregation sang "Yehi Rava" and brought out the three Torah scrolls. Upon returning, the Rav shlit”a began reading from the Torah for Parashat Terumah. One by one, those celebrating joyous occasions and yahrzeits were honored to stand beside him during the reading. After the reading of Terumah, the Maftir for Rosh Chodesh was read, followed by Parashat Shekalim, where a Bar Mitzvah boy was honored to read both the Torah portion and the Haftarah. The entire Torah reading, including the Rosh Chodesh and Shekalim readings along with the Haftarah, lasted approximately 45 minutes.

MUSSAF AND KIDDUSHA RABBA

Following the Haftarah reading, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a led the singing of "Zera Chaya V’Kayama" for about 7 minutes. He then proceeded with the Mussaf prayer for Rosh Chodesh. After the Chazzan’s repetition of the Amidah, the prayer concluded in its regular order. Immediately after Aleinu L’Shabe’ach, he recited Kiddush over a cup for Kiddusha Rabba and delivered a 5-minute shiur. At 8:57, he entered his holy home after a total of 4 hours and 33 minutes in which we merited participating in Shacharit, Hallel, the Torah reading, Mussaf for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, and Kiddusha Rabba together with Moreinu HaRav shlit”a.

MINCHA

At 5:34 P.M., Moreinu HaRav shlit”a entered the balcony of his home for the Mincha prayer of Shabbat, beginning with Kaddish and then reciting "Brich Shmei" and singing "Yehi Rava" for 12 minutes. He then read from the Torah for Parashat Tetzaveh, calling up three aliyot. Immediately after, he proceeded with the Amidah of Shabbat Mincha.

RA'AVA D’RA'AVIN

After Mincha, which lasted about 20 minutes, still standing in his place on the balcony, the Rav shlit”a washed his hands for Seudah Shlishit at 6:05. As is his holy custom, after the first Kezait, he began singing Zemirot for the Third Meal with great fervor for about 23 minutes. Following the Zemirot, he extended the singing of "Y-ah Ribon" for approximately 18 minutes, followed by "Ko Amar Hashem Matza Chen BaMidbar" for 3 minutes, and "Ko Amar Hashem Zacharti Lach Chesed Ne’urayich" along with "Ad Heina" for an additional 3 minutes each. At the conclusion of the songs, the Rav recited "Tzur Mishelo Achalnu" and led Zimun over a cup of wine.

MAARIV AND HAVDALAH

At 7:00, the Rav shlit”a began singing "Lamnatze’ach B’Neginot" for half an hour, during which he briefly entered his home for about 7 minutes. He then continued with the Maariv prayer for Motza’ei Shabbat, filled with melodies and fiery enthusiasm. After the Amidah and the recitation of "Vihi Noam," Moreinu HaRav shlit”a led the singing of "Baruch Hu Elokeinu SheBaranu Lichvodo" and "Hu Yiftach Libenu B’Torato" for about 20 minutes. At the conclusion of the prayer, he performed Havdalah over a cup of wine, singing "LaYehudim."

B’MOTZA’EI YOM MENUCHA

After Havdalah, at 8:15, the Rav washed his hands for Melaveh Malka – Da Hi Seudata D’David Malka Meshicha. Together with the congregation, he sang all the songs traditionally sung at Melaveh Malka. Before singing "Eliyahu HaNavi," he delivered a 15-minute shiur from Chayei Moharan. After the shiur, he continued singing "Eliyahu HaNavi" and "Ribbon Kol HaOlamim." At the conclusion of the Zemirot, he led Birkat Hamazon over a cup, reciting Sheva Brachot for the groom Nachman ben Harav Ilan Lefkowitz. He then delivered an additional short shiur of about a minute. At 9:10, he entered his home, after an extended period of nearly four hours (3 hours and 46 minutes), during which we merited being with him continuously from Mincha, Seudah Shlishit, Maariv, and Melaveh Malka.

Overall, we merited spending approximately 10 hours (9 hours and 57 minutes) in the holy presence on Shabbat Kodesh of Rosh Chodesh Adar, Parashat Terumah – Shekalim, the 1st of Adar 5785.