A Story of Mesirus Nefesh (Self-Sacrifice): The Fast That Was Not Broken in the Terrible Heat / A Wondrous Story
A Story of Mesirus Nefesh (Self-Sacrifice): The Fast That Was Not Broken in the Terrible Heat
One of the students relates the wondrous conduct of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a on a fast day. It was a day of terrible, scorching heat, and the entire congregation waited in tense anticipation for the moment the fast would end so they could drink a little water to restore their souls.
The Hour of Tzeis HaKochavim (Nightfall)
When the long-awaited time of tzeis hakochavim finally arrived, everyone expected that the tzaddik would conclude his holy service and break the fast. However, the Rav shlit"a was completely immersed in supreme deveikus (cleaving to Hashem) and continued to prolong his prayer.
Out of concern for the congregation, the Rav turned to those present and announced, "Whoever wants to eat and drink—you may." He permitted anyone who found it difficult to break their fast immediately, so that the students would not suffer from the heavy heat.
Mesirus Nefesh (Self-Sacrifice) Above Nature
Even though he permitted others to do so, the tzaddik himself continued his spiritual service and did not break the fast. Despite the terrible heat that prevailed that day, he remained in his fast for another long hour after tzeis hakochavim.
This story illustrates the extent to which the body of the tzaddik is completely nullified. While ordinary people rush to break their fast, the Rav shlit"a proves that spiritual nourishment is what truly sustains him, even under the most difficult physical conditions.
A Wondrous Story: The Journey to Uman Under Communist Rule and Hisbodedus in a Closet
A precious Jew, the Chassidic Rav, R' Ch. M. Gevirtz, may Hashem protect him, one of the prominent Chassidim of Toldos Aharon, shared a glorious memory from days gone by. He is the son of the righteous Rav, Rabbi Yaakov Pinchas Gevirtz shlit"a, who merited to fulfill the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim (welcoming guests) with Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a with great beautification.
This took place over a period of about half a year, during the time the Rav shlit"a stayed in the United States. The purpose of the Rav's trip to America was to obtain American citizenship, all so that he could travel to the holy tziyun (gravesite) in Uman, Ukraine.
A Special Journey Beyond the Iron Curtain
In those days, the year 5733 (1973), traveling to Uman involved actual pikuach nefesh (danger to life) under the terror of the Communist regime. Nevertheless, R' Gevirtz asked Morinu HaRav shlit"a to take him along to Uman. The Rav shlit"a, with immense Ahavas Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew), made a special trip just to grant him the merit of this holy journey.
The two arranged to meet in the city of Vienna, Austria, and from there to continue together on the secret journey toward Uman. The entire journey was paved with miracles and Divine Providence, as the Rav shlit"a traveled during those difficult times of the Iron Curtain without any fear or dread of flesh and blood.
Hisbodedus in the Heart of the Crowd
Along the way, the two were forced to stay in a roadside motel. They were there alone, two solitary Jews among a multitude of gentiles. Suddenly, R' Gevirtz noticed that Morinu HaRav shlit"a had disappeared. He began to search for him anxiously throughout the room and the hallways, but the Rav was nowhere to be found.
After searching, he finally found him in an unexpected place. The Rav shlit"a had placed his head inside a closet in the room, and stood there engaging in hisbodedus (secluded prayer) with tremendous deveikus (cleaving) to Hashem, May He be blessed.
This wonderful story illustrates how even in the heart of a foreign environment, and under the threats of the Communist regime, Morinu HaRav shlit"a never ceased his deveikus to the Creator of the world. Without any fear of his surroundings, he found a way to disconnect from this world and unite with his Maker at every moment and in every situation.
A Story About the Preparation for the Awesome Services: Fifty Times Mishnah Berurah
Many wonder how Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a merited to reach his immense spiritual levels. The answer lies in the incomprehensible toil in Torah and the strict meticulousness in Halacha (Jewish Law) that he adopted for himself even in his youth.
In the book "Lehavos Esh" (Flames of Fire), which compiles testimonies and stories about the holy path of the Rav shlit"a, an amazing revelation is brought from the mouth of the Rav himself. This revelation sheds light on the tremendous preparation required of him before he entered the inner holy chambers.
Solid Foundations of Halacha
Morinu HaRav shlit"a spoke about the period that preceded his ascent to the path of mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) and perishus (asceticism). It is brought that "before he began with the awesome spiritual services, he learned the book of Mishnah Berurah fifty times."
This statement illustrates how much the Rav insisted on basing his path on the firm foundations of Halachic ruling. Only after he reviewed and repeated every single clause in the Mishnah Berurah dozens of times did he feel ready to walk the path of elevated spiritual service.
The Preparation for the Awesome Services
The concept of "the awesome services" refers to those wondrous practices, fasts, mortifications, and absolute deveikus (cleaving) to the Creator of the world that characterize the path of the tzaddik. But this story teaches us an ironclad rule in Avodas Hashem (service of God).
It is impossible to reach supernal spiritual attainments and awesome services without absolute proficiency in the ruled Halacha. Reviewing the Mishnah Berurah fifty times is living testimony that the Torah and Halacha are the foundation for any true spiritual elevation.
From Issue 81 — Parshas Tzav
From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" (A Tzaddik Rules Through the Fear of God) — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" Publications
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Receive Torah articles and inspiration directly in your inbox