“The angels have vanquished the righteous ones and the Holy Ark is captured” (Ketubot 104a), “All the House of Israel shall weep the conflagration which Hashem ignited” (Vayikra 10:6). Deep mourning has fallen upon the world of Torah: The Kabbalist, Gaon, and Tzaddik Rabbi Alter David Chaim Stern zt”l, one of the elder Kabbalists and Tzaddikim of our generation, has passed away at the age of 93.

We bring here the words of Rabbi Alter David Chaim Stern zt”l of Bnei Brak, in wondrous testimony that he delivered during the Three Weeks, 5776 (2016), about the Gaon and Tzaddik, Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a.

And, as a further connection that seems almost obligatory to make, we add after the testimony of Rabbi David Stern zt”l, in honor of the 40th yahrzeit of the Steipler zt”l (23 Av, 5745), the moving letters written by Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, the Steipler Gaon zt”l, about Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a.

The Kabbalist, Gaon, and Tzaddik, Rabbi Alter David Chaim Stern shlit”a of Bnei Brak:

They came to me regarding the Gaon, Tzaddik, and Holy, Rabbi Eliezer ben Etiya Berland shlit”a. I have known this Tzaddik for more than fifty years. We speak, have spoken a great deal, conversed. For many years, he was the chevruta of the brother-in-law of the Chazon Ish, the Steipler Gaon. At that time, Rabbi Berland was still a young avrech, and I asked the Steipler about him—I wanted to know what he had to say.

The Steipler told me: “Know this—he is baki (thoroughly knowledgeable) in the entire Torah. He is a righteous and holy man.”

And this was testimony from the Gadol HaDor zt”l! It is as clear as the sun that the Steipler had genuine Ruach HaKodesh—there is no one who disputes this!

I knew Rabbi Berland shlit”a. We had many connections, many matters [between us]. He is an exalted Jew. There is no Jew like him, whose entire being was kindness and mercy. Whenever he had money, he would immediately give it all away to tzedaka. A Jew who gives away so much tzedakah and does such abundant acts of kindness—it is clear to us that HaKadosh Baruch Hu rests His Shechinah (Divine Presence) upon such a person, for one who has mercy on the people is granted mercy from Heaven. Automatically, HaKadosh Baruch Hu rests His Shechinah upon him, and HaKadosh Baruch Hu guides him as HaKadosh Baruch Hu understands. And it is clear to all of us that we are hoping and longing for Hashem, the Good One, to perform miracles and wonders. Others do not know Rabbi Berland shlit”a as I knew him, and the others did not ask the Steipler what I asked him about him. Rabbi Berland was a young avrech at the time when the Steipler was the Gadol HaDor. He was much older than he was, and even so, Rabbi Berland was his chevruta, and they would learn together for hours every day. This connection interested me, and therefore I asked the Steipler. This is what I already told you before.

Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit”a is holy and pure.

==

A letter of the Steipler zt”l about Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a:

Bezrat Hashem, the eve of Monday, Parashat Toldot, 5727 (1966) Behold, the Rav and Gaon, Rabbi Eliezer Berland sheyichyeh (may he live), one of the dear students of the Kollel Volozhin, I have been informed by the most reliable sources that his situation is very strained and entangled in many debts, and I request from anyone able to assist him, to improve his standing. And this will be for him a tremendous and great merit, and in light of all [his effort?], an opportunity for such a precious mitzvah as this. The small one, who greatly requests, Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky Bnei Brak, Chazon Ish neighborhood

Another letter of the Steipler zt”l about Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a:

There is a booklet called Avnei HaMenorah—laws, customs, and stories, a compilation of teachings, prayers, and songs for the days of Chanukah… It was published by Keren Rabbi Natan z”l in memory of Rabbi Natan ben Rabbi Naftali Carlebach… It was founded by Breslov Chassidim to assist grooms… Second edition, Kislev 5739 (1979), Bnei Brak. On page 48—copied from the booklet of the Gaon Rabbi Mordechai Menachem Marcus zt”l, who printed it in the name of his teacher, the Tzaddik, the holy and pure Rabbi Efraimel zt”l… At the end of the book is an endorsement from Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky— … Behold, the precious avrech, outstanding in Torah and fear of Heaven, Moreinu HaRav Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit”a, is involved in the great mitzvah of providing for the weddings of Talmidei Chachamim from the Breslov Yeshivah (called the Keren of Rabbi Natan Carlebach z”l)… Endorsed by Rabbi Wosner and the Badatz of Jerusalem.