A Story About the Tremendous Asceticism of the Rav

A special testimony from an elder of the Breslov Chassidim about the tremendous asceticism of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, who never went to take food for himself, eating only if it was brought directly to his shtender (study stand).

A Story About the Tremendous Asceticism of the Rav: He Never Went to Take Food

The wondrous figure of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a is interwoven with miraculous stories of extraordinary asceticism and holiness. One of these fascinating stories, which sheds light on his supernal conduct, was recounted by the pious Rav, Rabbi Moshe Schorr shlit"a, one of the crown jewels and elders of the Breslov Chassidim.

He Never Entered the Dining Room

Rabbi Schorr shares his memories from the past, when Morinu HaRav shlit"a spent his days within the walls of the Breslov Yeshiva. He describes a wondrous conduct of complete detachment from the matters of this world, particularly regarding eating and drinking.

According to him, in those days, Morinu HaRav shlit"a never entered the yeshiva's dining room to take a portion for himself. All his focus was devoted solely to Torah and serving Hashem, without any concern for his physical body.

The rule was simple yet incomprehensible: "If they brought him food, he ate; and if not, he simply didn't eat." He never asked, never demanded, and never searched for food to satisfy his hunger.

A Conduct of Holiness Even in Kollel Volozhin

This rare conduct was not a passing episode, but a true way of life. A similar testimony is brought in the book "Lehavos Esh" (Flames of Fire), which documents the early years of Rabbi Berland.

The book recounts the period when Morinu HaRav shlit"a was diligently immersed in his studies at Kollel Volozhin. There too, that same tremendous asceticism regarding food was evident. If someone placed a meal on the shtender upon which he learned, he would eat. But if they didn't bring it to him, he simply continued his learning and didn't eat at all.

This story illustrates the extent to which the body of Morinu HaRav shlit"a was completely subjugated to his soul. His eating was not for the sake of physical desire or need, but solely to sustain his body in order to continue his holy service and diligent Torah study.

An Amazing Story About the Asceticism of the Rav: The Testimony of the Rebbetzin

Throughout the years, the students and close associates of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a have witnessed rare and wondrous acts of asceticism. Rabbi Berland shlit"a lives in this world, yet it is evident that he is completely detached from worldly matters and material pleasures. His entire essence and time are dedicated to Torah, serving Hashem, and holiness.

Testimony from Inside the Home

One of the grandsons of Morinu HaRav shlit"a shared a special and moving testimony that he heard directly from his grandmother, the righteous Rebbetzin tchiya (may she live). This testimony sheds light on the Rav's trait of making do with the bare minimum and his complete distancing from matters of eating and drinking, even within the walls of his own home.

The Rebbetzin shared with her grandson an amazing revelation about their shared daily routine over the course of decades. "Forty years have already passed since our wedding," the Rebbetzin described in amazement, "and still, I have never seen the Rav open the refrigerator himself."

An Angel of Hashem Tzevaos

This wondrous fact illustrates, more than anything, the tremendous spiritual level of the tzaddik. A regular person approaches the refrigerator many times a day out of habit or need, but for Rabbi Berland shlit"a, physical food occupies no space in his thoughts or his daily schedule. His entire life is consecrated to Hashem Yisbarach, behaving literally like an angel, without any unnecessary connection to the needs of the body.

A Moving Story: Why Did Rabbi Shimon Baadani Arrive Fasting to the Home of Rabbi Berland?

A few weeks ago, a special and moving meeting took place when the righteous Gaon, one of the elder Torah giants and halachic authorities of the generation, Rabbi Shimon Baadani, came to visit Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. While this visit has already been widely publicized, there is an important and moving behind-the-scenes detail that deserves special mention.

Special effort and mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice)

Rabbi Shimon Baadani arrived with special effort and tremendous mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) from his city of Bnei Brak. Before he set out on the journey, his close associates wanted to serve him a meal so that he could eat and gather strength before the trip.

However, the Rav refused to eat. He hurried greatly for the journey, out of a tremendous yearning to greet the tzaddik of our generation, Morinu HaRav Berland shlit"a.

As a result, Rabbi Baadani arrived at the home of Rabbi Berland shlit"a while literally fasting, without having put any food into his mouth. Everything was done out of tremendous respect and appreciation, testifying to the great holiness of the tzaddik and the deep spiritual connection between the Torah giants of the generation.

From Issue 82 — Parashas Pekudei

From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" (A Tzaddik Rules through the Fear of God) — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications