A Story from Purim Night: The Fiery Megillah Reading of Rabbi Berland shlit"a

An uplifting description of Purim night in the presence of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, from the moving singing on the balcony to the reading of the Megillah with tears and holy fire.

On Purim night, a holy congregation and a massive crowd of about two thousand people—may they multiply—gathered from all corners of the land, from Dan to Be'er Sheva. Everyone waited in eager anticipation for the appearance of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a on the balcony of his home. Suddenly, the tzaddik emerged and appeared in great majesty and splendor, exactly as it is written: "And Mordechai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel."

Singing and Spiritual Preparation

Upon his emergence, the Rav shlit"a began to sing with tremendous spiritual awakening: "Vatossef Esther vatedaber" (And Esther spoke again), as well as "Keli Keli lama azavtani" (My God, my God, why have You forsaken me). The entire holy congregation joined him, singing and playing music with joy, pouring out their hearts like water before Hashem. Afterward, the Rav shlit"a began to sing: "Hatzileni, hatzileni miklipas Haman Amalek" (Save me, save me from the impurity of Haman and Amalek), to the well-known tune of "V'nahafoch hu" (And it was turned upside down). This singing continued for over half an hour with tremendous enthusiasm.

Following this, the tzaddik recited together with the congregation, word for word, Chapter 22 of Tehillim (Psalms)—the psalm of Queen Esther. Only after this spiritual preparation did they begin the Maariv (evening) prayer, with deliberation and the special melodies in the unique style of Morinu HaRav shlit"a.

Joy of Holiness and Fear of Heaven

After the prayer, Morinu HaRav shlit"a delivered words of Torah. He explained that Purim is a holy and awesome day, and the miracle of Purim is greater than all other miracles. The Rav repeatedly awakened the congregation to be exceedingly careful that their joy should be in perfection and with Yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven). He emphasized that Heaven forbid one should "get drunk"; rather, one should only reach a state of 'livsumei' (being pleasantly intoxicated) on Purim, and this is solely to open the heart with joy and awe.

Reading the Megillah with Holy Fire

After the words of Torah, the tzaddik approached to recite the blessings and read the Megillah. It is fitting to mention here what is told about the holy tzaddik, the Sar Shalom of Belz zy"a (may his merit protect us all, Amen): Once, one of the tzaddikim of the generation attended his Megillah reading and said, "I have heard this story many times, but the way this young scholar told it—I have never heard before."

The exact same words can be said about the Megillah reading of Morinu HaRav shlit"a. His face burned like torches with holy fire, and in the middle of reading the Megillah, the tzaddik burst into moving tears several times. The awesome and exalted event concluded with the return of the melodies and dancing, which accompanied Morinu HaRav shlit"a until he returned to his home with immense joy.

From Issue 84 — Parashat Tzav

From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yirat Elokim" (A Tzaddik Rules with the Fear of God) — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications.