A Story About the Tzaddik's Joy in the Depth of Suffering and Imprisonment / An Amazing Story

An amazing story about the immense joy of Rabbi Berland shlit"a amidst the suffering of imprisonment, which sanctifies the Name of Heaven and proves the power of emunah (faith) even in the most difficult times.

A Story About the Tzaddik's Joy in the Depth of Suffering and Imprisonment

No human intellect is capable of understanding this. After more than forty days in which the tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, endured terrible suffering, the harsh news arrived. This past week, his remand was extended for another ten days, and the heart simply refused to contain the news.

A Pain That Touches Every Jewish Heart

It is impossible to fathom the sorrow and pain of anyone who has a Jewish heart. After all, it is written that Jews are merciful ones, the children of merciful ones, and this pain crossed sectors and communities. Even people who are not connected at all to the "Shuvu Banim" community felt how multitudes of Jews carry this deep pain in their hearts.

The sorrow truly touched the soul. How is it possible to remain silent and calm when the situation is an aspect of "Shechinta b'Galusa" (the Shechinah in exile), Hashem should protect us. Everyone cried out from the blood of their hearts: Until when? Until when will these sufferings continue?

Wonder of Wonders: Joy Amidst the Suffering

But specifically out of the darkness, a wonder of wonders was revealed. One can tangibly see the revelation of Hashem, blessed be He, how He lives and endures, shining His wondrous light upon His faithful servants. Amazingly, it seems that no sorrow touches the tzaddik whatsoever.

All the time, one only hears from the tzaddik sounds of joy, dancing, and words of Torah. "He constantly tells and shows just how good it is for him," testify those around him. This is a tremendous Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God's Name), which shatters and smashes all the spirit of heresy of the forces of evil.

We believe that in just a little while they will all be nullified, and all wickedness will completely vanish like smoke. Very soon, we will merit to see how the government of wickedness will be removed from the earth, Amen and Amen.

An Amazing Story: Ten Consecutive Hours of Learning Maseches Bava Kamma in Arad

A Jew from the Gerer Chassidim shared an amazing testimony about what he merited to see with his own eyes decades ago. The story illustrates the magnitude of the holiness, asceticism, and immense diligence of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a in learning Torah.

Hisbodedus in the Forests of Arad

In those days, Morinu HaRav shlit"a arrived in the area of the city of Arad in the south of the country. He stayed there for a long period, dedicating most of his time to serving Hashem out of detachment from the world. The Rav would go out and practice hisbodedus (secluded prayer) for long hours in the desolate forests surrounding the city.

On one occasion, a local man who saw him walking around the area met him. That man turned to him and asked innocently: "Why doesn't the Rav shlit"a come into our synagogue?" This simple question led to an amazing revelation of love for Torah and immense immersion.

Ten Hours of Consecutive Learning

Immediately upon hearing this, Morinu HaRav shlit"a accepted the invitation and promptly entered the local synagogue. He approached the bookcase, took a volume of Gemara Maseches Bava Kamma along with the sefer "Shitah Mekubetzes," and sat in his place.

From that moment, the Rav completely disconnected from his surroundings and from this world. He immersed himself in the study of the holy Torah for ten consecutive hours, without any break or distraction. His concentration and deveikus (cleaving to God) were above the way of nature, until he finished the entire tractate in that single sitting.

This testimony, which was deeply engraved in the memory of that Gerer Chassid, remains as a symbol and example of the power of diligence. It teaches us about the immense immersion of the tzaddik in the sea of the Talmud, and how every free moment is immediately utilized for the toil of the holy Torah.

From Issue 80 — Parashas Vayikra

From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications