The Shavuot Kibbutz with Rabbi Eliezer Berland Shlit”a

Once again this year, we merited to gather for Shavuot 5785 in the presence of Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a -- a gathering of over a thousand people. We present to you a review of what we merited during this past Shavuot in the presence of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a.

As the holiday of Matan Torah was sanctified, just moments after sunset at 7:53 PM, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a entered in majestic beauty for Mincha of Erev Yom Tov. The entire congregation—an enormous crowd who came in droves to the Shavuot gathering from all over Israel and the world—sang "Or Zarua LaTzaddik" for about twenty minutes with great joy and phenomenal vitality. At the end of the singing, the Rav gave a sign and recited Kaddish, followed by the Mincha prayer. Immediately after Mincha, Moreinu HaRav recited the text of the "Seder HaHitkashrut (binding ourselves to Tzaddikim)," and shortly thereafter, he began the niggun before "Barchu." Even from the walls of the Old City, it was possible to hear the thunder of our congregation singing the special niggun. Then, all fell silent, and only the pure voice of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a was heard: "Barchu Et Hashem HaMevorach," and the entire assembly responded, "Baruch Hashem HaMevorach L'Olam Va'ed." Thus began Maariv of the holy night of Shavuot, the entire prayer filled with niggunim sung with awesome fervor. After Maariv, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a said "Mizmor L'David Havu LaShem Bnei Eilim," as is customary on Shavuot. After "Aleinu LeShabe’ach" and Kaddish, he asked his attendant R’ Naftali Zucker to announce that Shacharit would be at 4:00 AM and that everyone should go to the mikveh at 3:00 to receive the light of "Shaar HaChamishim (the 50^th Gate of Binah-Understanding)." The Rav entered his dwelling at 8:31 PM, escorted by the large crowd singing "Atah Nigleita."

Tikkun Leil Shavuot

After the Yom Tov meal of the holy night, our community came to learn and recite “Tikkun Leil Shavuot” in our beit midrash on Ido HaNavi Street. Our devoted gabbaim ensured seating for all; many tables and benches were added for the comfort of the hundreds learning Torah, and refreshments—including hot and cold drinks—were served throughout the night for those toiling in Torah according to the custom of Beit Yisrael. It’s worth noting that also in our beit midrash in the Old City, a Tikkun Leil Shavuot was held throughout the night, with rich refreshments provided for the participants. Besides that, it is also fitting to mention the once-a-year event that’s worth traveling from the ends of the earth in order to see the great wonder. This is the "Yaldei HaTzaddik (Children of the Tzaddik)" group led by the important avreich R’ Naftali Bik shlit”a. In addition to the ongoing, expanding activities throughout the year and every Shabbat, Shavuot is one of the group’s peak moments. Over 500 precious children sat and recited the Tikkun HaKlali and Tehillim, and sang songs of devekut and love of Torah for five hours straight, all taking place in the courtyard of the "Nechamat Tzion" Talmud Torah of "Mosdot Shuvu Banim." From afar, one could hear the pure voices of these 500 children singing the Tikkun HaKlali in the Tzaddik's melody. Also the young men of our holy community gathered on this holy night in the Kollel Hora’a. The most eye-catching sight was the over 150 holy and pure bachurim sitting immersed in the joy of Torah. This holy learning was arranged by the "Chevrat Bnei HaNeurim (Youth Group)," under R’ Nachman Haas, who provided the bachurim with rich refreshments throughout the night. As is the custom of yeshiva students, they rose every hour to dance, renewing their minds and thanking Hashem for the great merit that "He separated us from those who stray and gave us His Torah."

“Your Holy Words from Flames of Fire”

Our community merited to fulfill the Tzaddik’s words, and following the hour of 3:00 AM, everyone had already immersed in the light of Shaar HaChamishim—revealed at daybreak of Shavuot, as explained in the writings of the holy Ari and his disciples. Afterwards, everyone gathered from their study places at the foot of the mountain ablaze with holy fire: the courtyard of our beit midrash, the Prayer Hall. There, they waited with longing to receive the Torah through the Tzaddik of the generation. Then, at precisely 4:13 AM, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a appeared in his holy splendor, his peyot dripping with water—adding a touch of purity that spilled over to all those who merited to join the exalted Shavuot gathering in his pure shadow. As the sky was still blue and before the first sparkle of morning appeared in the Holy City, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a began Shacharit. The hundreds gathered sang, "B’Ran Yachad Kochvei Boker,” with one niggun after another. After the Morning Zemirot were sung, even the korbanot were recited with special holy melodies. At exactly 5:00 AM, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a began "Hodu," and Pesukei D'Zimrah were sung with pleasant joy and phenomenal vitality. The love of Torah could be felt well when the Rav sang "HaNechmadim MiZahav… More desirable than gold, even much fine gold, and sweeter than honey and the drippings from honeycombs" for over five minutes. Everyone joined in the melody, singing the holy words that King David (who’s yahrzeit is Shavuot) wrote in Tehilim that so capture the day of the giving of the Torah. Truly, nothing in the world compares to learning Torah! The moments of length didn’t cease—at "Nishmat Kol Chai," the Rav continued singing for twelve full minutes with gratitude and joy: "For every mouth will thank You, every tongue will praise, and every eye will look expectantly to You!" The sky was already red from the sun, rising behind the Mount of Olives, adding holy grace to the joy of receiving the Torah. By 6:20 AM, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a stood for the Amidah of the Three Festivals. At the conclusion of the repetition of the Amidah, Moreinu HaRav recited the blessing over Full Hallel. Remarkably—and unlike any Shavuot we’ve known in the past decade—it was specifically Hallel that was sung with special and exceptional length, and the joy of the festival extended for over an hour. At the beginning of Hallel, the niggun for “Betzet Yisrael MiMitzrayim” was sung again and again with fiery passion for about eight minutes; all the congregation was jumping and dancing, and Moreinu HaRav, with his holy movements, brought the community to life—“The mountains skipped like rams.” The length increased with the singing of the niggun “Hodu LaHaShem Ki Tov,” which was sung for nearly half an hour. And how could they not sing the arousing niggun of “Ana Hashem Hoshi‘ah Na” as the closing note of this wondrously extended singing, with heartfelt yearning, for about ten minutes. As mentioned, the singing of Hallel in the holy courtyard lasted altogether for a full hour. Upon concluding Hallel, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a recited the Shir Shel HaYom and said the order of opening the ark for the Three Festivals with the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy. At this point, the excitement reached its peak—the Torah reading and the event of receiving the Torah through the Moshe Rabbeinu of the generation. With excitement, we reached the prayer of “Berich Shemei,” which Moreinu HaRav shlit”a said at great length with supplications on this day when one is judged for a life of Torah—“Yehi Rava Kadamach… May it be Your will that you open my heart to Torah” When the Sefer Torah was placed on the bimah, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a recited the blessings over the reading of the Megillah and Shehecheyanu and read Megillat Ruth from a kosher scroll with tremendous arousal. It is worth noting that, unlike on an ordinary Shabbat, the reading of the Megillah was clearly heard. Moreinu HaRav was aflame with holy fervor, and several times even wept during the reading. Following the reading of Megillat Ruth, which lasted about ten minutes, the Rav shlit”a began the piyut Akdamot with the well-known niggun, as Rabbeinu HaKadosh said, “One who knows the virtue of the song of Akdamot with its well-known niggun, as the world customarily sings it, it is something wondrous and a very great novelty.” Here too, during the recital of Akdamot, there was overwhelming inspiration, and in fiery intensity one could clearly hear Moreinu HaRav shlit”a cry out the holy words of the stirring piyut. After Akdamot, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a began the Torah reading. The Rav added several more aliyot for those observing yahrzeits and others. When it came to the fourth aliyah—the Ten Commandments—Moreinu HaRav shlit”a was honored with the aliyah.  Complete silence fell; one could tangibly feel the receiving of the Torah. Not a single infant cried, not a single bird chirped. Thus, everyone merited to hear the pure voice of Moreinu HaRav with thunder and lightning. Also during the haftarah, one could clearly hear the Ma‘aseh Merkavah (The Workings of the Chariot) in the book of Yechezkel, read on Shavuot. The Torah reading and haftarah together lasted about fifteen minutes. After the haftarah, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a announced Yizkor. The Rav instructed, as in past years, that one may place the tallit over their head. Afterwards, Av HaRachamim, and immediately thereafter, the niggun “Y-ah E-li VeGo’ali” in the niggun of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a. Following that came Ashrei and the procession of returning the Torah scroll to the ark. Moreinu HaRav stood for Musaf. In the repetition, he sang the niggun of “Vekarev Pzurenu” and the niggun “Vehevi’enu LeTziyon Irekha” together for about four minutes. After Musaf, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a said: “Kaveh El Hashem Chazak VeYa’ametz Libekha Vekaveh El Hashem.” After Kaddish, he concluded the prayer in its proper order: An’im Zemirot, Adon Olam, and we merited to recite the Tikkun HaKlali in his holy presence. After the prayer, Moreinu HaRav recited Kiddush and ate a small amount of dairy foods, as is customary on Shavuot, and delivered holy words for ten minutes. At 9:24 AM, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a entered his holy home after a holiday prayer that lasted five hours and ten minutes. Prior to entering, he asked his attendant to announce that Mincha would take place in ten hours; the boys should learn ten folio pages of Gemara, and the girls should complete the book of Tehillim twice. Shortly before sunset, at 7:42 PM, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a came out to the balcony of his home and immediately began Mincha of the Three Festivals. After the repetition, the Rav shlit”a recited “Hashem Malach Ge’ut Lavesh” for about ten minutes. Following Aleinu Leshabe’ach, the Rav sang the niggun of Yom Tov night before “Barchu”, and began Ma’ariv, which lasted about twenty minutes. After the Amidah, the Rav sang “Lamnatze’ach Binginot” for five minutes—it seemed this was in order to reach the proper time for Havdalah. After Aleinu Leshabe’ach, he repeated Shema at its proper time and, with the designated end time of Yom Tov for Jerusalem, he made Havdalah over a cup. After Havdalah, he gave over holy words upon the departure of the festival for about three minutes, then recited the blessing Al HaGefen, and at 8:26 PM entered his holy home as the community sang “Or Zarua LaTzaddik” with tremendous vitality, following 43 minutes of prayer. So concluded the holiday of Matan Torah, with feelings of majesty and holiness, in the holy shadow.  Altogether, six and a half hours of prayers in the holy presence of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a.

Fortunate are we that we merited!!