A Story from Meron: "I Have Never Seen Such a Holy Countenance

A moving testimony from a Jerusalemite Chassid who met Rabbi Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days) in Meron and was stunned by his holiness, and the amazement of the crowds at the prayers of the 'Shuvu Banim' community.

As is known, about six months ago, an uplifting Shabbos (Sabbath) of unity took place with the participation of a large crowd of students of the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, in the holy site of Meron, near the tziyun (gravesite) of the Divine Tanna (Mishnaic sage), Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai zy"a (may his merit protect us).

During that special Shabbos, the glory and beauty of the Tzaddik (righteous leader) and his holy students were revealed to a wide and diverse audience from all of Israel. Many Jews, who had never been exposed to such sights, stood in wonder before such a large crowd of G-d-fearing and wholesome people, engaged in the service of Hashem (G-d) and in prayers full of vitality and enthusiasm.

The impression was so powerful that several of those present expressed their wonder, saying: "Is this Shuvu Banim? We didn't know it looked like this!"

"Truly an Angel of G-d"

After the prayer, a Torah lesson was given by one of the veteran students of the Rav shlit"a. During the gathering, one of the participants shared a moving testimony he heard from his brother-in-law.

That brother-in-law, who belongs to a large and famous Chassidic dynasty in Jerusalem the Holy City, was present at the site and saw the Rav shlit"a. He shared his feelings with his brother-in-law and told him with immense admiration:

"I have never seen such a holy countenance (holy appearance); he is truly an angel of G-d."

From Issue 81 — Parshas Bereishis
From the series "A Tzaddik Rules Through the Fear of G-d" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" leaflets