A Gathering for the Avreichim of the 'Mifal HaTorah' Examinees ○ Summary of the Lesson

Last night, Wednesday, the eve of Rosh Chodesh (the start of the new month) of the 1st of Shevat, a special chavurah (gathering) took place at the holy residence of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, for about forty avreichim (married Torah students) who merit to be tested every month on exams covering the study of the Daf Yomi (daily page of Talmud) and Likutey Halachos (the central legal-spiritual work of Breslov). Rabbi Shmuel Isaac Rubinstein, may Hashem protect and sustain him, tells us that there has never before been a chavurah for avreichim with the Rav shlit"a like those held for the youth. Therefore, as part of the 'Mifal HaTorah' study program, a special curriculum began several months ago which includes a stipend for the various exams, while also granting the avreichim the merit of participating in a gathering held together with our teacher, the Rav shlit"a. As mentioned, the gathering took place before the Maariv (evening) prayer at the residence of our teacher, the Rav shlit"a. Upon the Rav's entrance, they began singing songs of soul-stirring emotion and spiritual awakening with an indescribable, sublime excitement. After about twenty minutes, the Rav shlit"a began to speak "words of the Living G-d," heard as if from the mouth of the Almighty. Before you is a summary of the lesson for the avreichim of Mifal HaTorah: The Rav began the lesson regarding the weekly Torah portions, discussing how Pharaoh said to Moshe, "Who and who are the ones going?" (Exodus 10:8). This hinted to him that the numerical value (gematria) of "Who and who" is the same as "Caleb and the son of Nun" (Joshua), for only they would merit to enter Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel), as cited by the Baal HaTurim. Afterward, he dealt with the matter of the selling of Joseph. From there, the Rav spoke about the greatness of the day of the 1st of Shevat, on which "Moshe began to explain this Torah" (Deuteronomy 1:5), and that this was the day Moshe began to pray to enter the Holy Land. He said that without melodies, prayer is not accepted, and the Rav added that Moshe Rabbeinu, in his 515 prayers, prayed for all generations. Afterward, the Rav shlit"a discussed the Song of the Sea and what Bnei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) saw at the Red Sea, as brought in the holy books. Then he cited the Gemara in Tractate Chagigah regarding two students of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi who were deaf-mutes; he prayed for them and they were healed, and it was revealed that they knew the entire Torah. He brought down that these were the reincarnations of Eldad and Medad, who had publicized the prophecy "Moshe will die and Joshua will lead them in" without permission. Moving from one topic to another, he discussed the humility of Joshua, who, despite knowing the spies planned to kill him, nullified himself to the Tzaddik and went to scout the land. Moving from one topic to another, he spoke about the fruits for which Eretz Yisrael is praised and the giant fruits brought by the spies. Likewise, the Rav added to speak about Tu B'Shevat (the New Year for Trees) and said that the custom of planting trees is an ancient one. Afterward, he cited the story of Rebbe Nachman's visit to the Holy Land and to Haifa; during his words, he said that when one comes to Rebbe Nachman, everything is sweetened. He also discussed the topic of the Concubine in Gibeah and why Rachel called Benjamin "Ben-Oni" (son of my sorrow), because she saw that the entire tribe would be nearly wiped out except for Saul. Furthermore, the Rav shlit"a gave much encouragement in the lesson regarding Torah study and said that one hour of studying the 'Ketzot HaChoshen' (a classic work on Jewish civil law) on Friday is worth more than a 'Mishmar' (all-night study session) on Thursday night. He spoke about Torah issues involving the disputes between the brothers and Joseph. Among them: the dispute of the 'Kereti U'Peleti' and the Radbaz regarding the opinion of the Rambam (Maimonides) on whether poultry is considered meat, and whether one violates "Lifnei Iver" (placing a stumbling block before the blind) when serving a limb from a living animal to a Ben Noach (a non-Jew). And also, whether it was permitted to sell the sons of the handmaids—whether it was permitted to sell Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. The Rav shlit"a concluded the lesson with the greatness of the tribe of Zebulun, who would bring everyone to the Holy Temple, and because of this, the 'Sha'ar HaPesukim' states that Zebulun is located in the 'Keter' (Crown) within the Sefiros (Divine emanations) of the tribes of G-d.

Before you is a gallery of photos from the gathering and the lesson inside the holy chamber: