181 years since the histalkus (passing away) of the genius of our strength and glory, our teacher Rabbi Noson of Breslov zt"l, the faithful disciple of the Light of Lights, the Nanmach (The Flowing Brook, a Source of Wisdom), Rebbe Nachman of Breslov zy"a.

As every year, the "Union of Breslov Chassidim Shuvu Banim in Israel and the World" held the largest Hillula (anniversary of passing celebration) in the world, with the participation of thousands of people from all over the country and the world, headed by the Tzaddik of our generation, the true disciple, the Gaon and Tzaddik, our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days).

The mighty event began with the conclusion of the Maariv (evening) prayer together with the Rav shlit"a in our Beis Medrash (Study Hall). Thousands upon thousands flocked to and filled the extensive Pavilion Halls in the Talpiot neighborhood of the Holy City of Jerusalem to capacity. Around the tables set with every good thing, the Tzaddik’s followers were seen from all over the country and the world, from all backgrounds and circles—men, women, and children. Everyone gathered and came for this mighty occasion!

Close to 10:30 PM, the Gabbai (synagogue administrator) of the Beis Medrash, Rabbi Nachum Hass shlit"a, invited the community's rabbis to speak. First to open was the Chassid Rabbi Meir Malka shlit"a, who spoke about the greatness of the one whose Hillula was being celebrated and gave encouragement regarding the study of his holy book, "Likutey Halachos" (Collected Laws). After him, the Kabbalist Rabbi Eldad Shmueli shlit"a rose to speak. The community rabbis' speeches were concluded by the Mashpia (spiritual mentor) Rabbi Ofer Erez shlit"a, who explained with a clear and lucid mind the merit we have in this final generation to receive the wonderful encouragement of Moharnat (Our Teacher Rabbi Noson) zy"a. In their words, the Rabbis added encouragement regarding the greatness of those who assist and donate to our Beis Medrash, and specifically toward the large expenses of the greatest Hillula in the world.

At 11:40 PM, a tremor of intense excitement passed through the hall as the orchestra broke into the song "The Tzaddik shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon" upon the entrance of our teacher and master, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, to the mighty gathering. For long minutes, the thousands danced in honor of the Tzaddik.

Then, R' Abba Turetsky took the floor with the permission of the Rav shlit"a. He opened with enthusiastic words about the immense importance of supporting the Beis Medrash. As a prelude to his words, he presented twelve holy candles, which would be lit by the first twelve people who would merit to assist in supporting the massive expenses of the Hillula that fell upon the shoulders of the "Union" activists. Of course, while the words were still on his lips, the first twelve had already respectfully approached the holy podium, having merited to give of their money to be true partners in the Hillula of the genius of our strength, headed by the Rav shlit"a.

After the twelve candles were lit, a silence fell over the crowd as the Rav shlit"a began his holy discourse. With voices like thunder and lightning and with a burning fire, he spoke of the greatness of the master of the Hillula—of the Teacher and the Disciple to whom dominion was given in this world, and who are the ones who subdue the Kelipos (husks) of impurity.

For about twenty minutes, our teacher and master shlit"a delivered words of the Living G-d in flames of fire. Immediately upon finishing, he began singing "Shir Yedidut" (Song of Friendship) by R' Yitzchak Breiter Hy"d (may Hashem avenge his blood). Truly, how magnificent it was to see the crowd roaring again and again, "The world will walk in his light, through Rabbi Noson his disciple." Immediately afterward, the song "You brought us this far, bring us to Uman" was sung with all the stirring verses composed by the Rav shlit"a in his great yearnings for the Tziyun (gravesite), the place where our Holy Rebbe, the Nanmach zy"a, is hidden. From the crowd, the longing and yearning song was heard more than once: "You brought us this far—bring the Rav to Uman." Of course, these were followed by the mythological Breslov songs "Uman, Uman, Rosh Hashanah...", "In you, our Rebbe, we shall rejoice..." etc.

The singing and the immense joy over the fact that we merited to know of the Tzaddik and to know of his great disciple Moharnat—and even more so, that we merited amidst all the darkness and confusion to believe in the successor of his path, namely the Tzaddik of our generation, our teacher and master the Rav shlit"a—did not leave a single person who did not jump and dance with song and joy. The dancing continued for a long time; only close to 1:30 AM after midnight did the Rav shlit"a leave the mighty gathering to the singing of "For length of days and years of life shall they add to thee..."

Before you is a summary of the topics mentioned by the Rav shlit"a during his holy discourse:

1. Rabbi Avraham ben Rabbi Nachman said on the last Rosh Hashanah he spent with the Rebbe that there was going to be a Holocaust. The Tzaddik sees everything!
2. Reb Noson is a hidden mystery; he wrote such books that are beyond estimation.
3. Apollonius asked Yochanan Kohen Gadol (the High Priest) to slaughter one pig; in the end, he slaughtered thousands of pigs—referring to the Greeks.
4. Laban prayed that the Greeks would rule for 213 years (the gematria of "Yegar Sahadutha") and also prayed that Esau would be buried in the Cave of Machpelah.
5. "And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers"—there are two Tzaddikim who save the entire world.
6. Rebbe Nachman ben Simcha is the gematria (numerical value) of Achashverosh. And Antiochus is the gematria of Joseph, which refers to Reb Noson.
7. A person needs to be like a pillar of fire. As they said, at the funeral of our Rebbe, they saw a pillar of fire reaching up to the heavens.
8. The story of Daniel who told Belshazzar that his kingdom would end.
9. The argument between Vashti and Achashverosh was about how many steps Nebuchadnezzar took.
10. The miraculous rescue of a Jew in the Holocaust who was saved because his last request in the extermination camp was for Tefillin (phylacteries), and he prayed with a "Leshem Yichud" (prayer of intent) for "long life."
11. Eli said to Chana, "Put away your wine from you," because he thought she was drunk. But Chana said to him: You are a reincarnation of Yael, and I am Heber the Kenite.
12. Reb Noson and our Rebbe are the Teacher and the Disciple; everything done in the world is in their merit.
13. Therefore, everyone must take it upon themselves to study Likutey Halachos (Collected Laws) for one hour every day.