A Moving Story: Why Was Rabbi Rompler Not Afraid to Praise Morinu HaRav Berland? / A Story of Testimony

A special testimony about the holy tzaddik, Rabbi Aharon Tzvi Rompler zt"l, who did not fear the dispute and courageously declared the greatness of Morinu HaRav Berland shlit"a, because "the truth must be told."

A Moving Story: Why Was Rabbi Rompler Not Afraid to Praise Morinu HaRav Berland?

One of the students shared a special and moving testimony about the holy tzaddik, Rabbi Aharon Tzvi Rompler zt"l. On one occasion, Rabbi Rompler sat among his audience and began speaking with great enthusiasm.

The Praise of a Tzaddik

During his talk, Rabbi Rompler began to speak in praise of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. He expounded at length upon his spiritual greatness and testified publicly that he is a true tzaddik. The words were spoken with confidence and burning faith, leaving a profound impression on everyone present.

The Truth Must Be Told

One of the attendees in the room, having heard these words, turned to Rabbi Rompler with a piercing question. He asked him, "There is a dispute against him on the outside; are you not afraid to speak in his praise so openly?" The questioner's intent was clear—he feared that those same factions opposing the Rav would now come out against Rabbi Rompler himself.

Rabbi Rompler zt"l did not hesitate for a moment. He looked the questioner straight in the eye, and with a sharp, clear response, declared: "The truth must be told!"

Rabbi Rompler's decisive answer echoes to this day, teaching us an important lesson in courage and standing firmly for the truth. It reminds us all that when it comes to the honor of a tzaddik, one must stand up for the truth without fear or dread of anyone.

A Story of a Tzaddik's Testimony: In Spirituality, the Rav shlit"a is Much Higher

A certain Jew shared a wondrous testimony about the immense esteem that the tzaddikim of the generation hold for Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. It is known that only tzaddikim with high spiritual attainment can truly understand the magnitude of the holiness and spiritual level of another tzaddik.

On one occasion, one of the tzaddikim asked those gathered around him: "How old is Morinu HaRav shlit"a?" The students present answered him, stating the Rav's exact age.

The Testimony of the Tzaddik

When the tzaddik heard the answer regarding the Rav's physical age, he responded with immense amazement. He turned to those present and said with holy enthusiasm: "But in spirituality, he is much higher!"

This statement reflects the hidden spiritual reality, in which the years of a tzaddik are not measured merely in physical time, but rather in his toil in Torah, his mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice), and the supernal attainments he has merited to reach. Morinu HaRav shlit"a operates in the upper worlds, and his spiritual level towers far beyond our human comprehension.

An Amazing Story of Ruach HaKodesh: Is It So Hard to Hammer a Nail into the Wall?

One of the followers of the tzaddik shared a wondrous story from the past, illustrating the open Ruach HaKodesh (Divine Inspiration) of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. During that period, the Rav shlit"a would deliver a regular shiur (Torah class) every Tuesday at the "Ido HaNavi" synagogue. Many fondly remember these classes, where every week, for several consecutive hours, the Rav would speak words hewn from flames of fire that awakened the hearts.

The Wife's Request Just Before the Shiur

Once, when this man wanted to leave his home for the shiur, he was in a great hurry so as not to miss a single moment of the Rav's words. Just before he left, his wife, may she live, turned to him with a small request. She asked him to hammer a nail into the wall of the house for a specific need.

However, because he was rushing and preoccupied with arriving on time, he decided to postpone the request. He did not hammer the nail, quickly left the house, and traveled to the synagogue. He arrived at the shiur, sat in his place, and waited in anticipation for the arrival of the tzaddik.

The Precise Rebuke Through Ruach HaKodesh

When Morinu HaRav shlit"a arrived at the location, he stood up to deliver the shiur. Suddenly, the Rav opened his words with a sentence that astonished the attendees: "Is it so hard to hammer a nail into the wall?"

The audience in the synagogue did not understand at all why the Rav shlit"a was suddenly talking about nails in the wall, or what the context of these words was. But that student was startled and shaken by the sheer power of the open Ruach HaKodesh. He immediately understood that the Rav was rebuking him personally and precisely for not fulfilling the will of his wife before leaving his home. This event left a profound impression on him, teaching him a lifelong lesson about the immense importance of shalom bayis (marital harmony) and performing acts of loving-kindness within the family.

From Issue 82 — Parashas Pekudei

From the series "A Tzaddik Rules in the Fear of God" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" Publications