A Story of the Victory of Holiness: The Decisive Answer to the Persecution of the Authorities and 4 More Stories

A short story reflecting the authorities' persecution against Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, and the attempt to separate the tzaddik from his students, as emerges from the court protocol.

A Story of the Victory of Holiness: The Decisive Answer to the Persecution of the Authorities

These shocking events occurred right before the eyes of the authorities. These factions persecute our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, in a terrible and unprecedented manner, with a clear and open goal. "Their entire intention is to separate the tzaddik from his flock," explain those close to him, describing how these forces attempt to sever the deep, spiritual connection between the Rav and his many students.

The Protocol That Reveals the Truth

To understand the magnitude of the battle, it is worthwhile to copy and carefully read the protocol of that wicked trial conducted against the tzaddik. From the dry lines of the legal documents, one clearly sees the true essence of the persecutors' war. It becomes evident that the struggle is not physical at all, but rather a direct war against holiness itself.

The Spiritual Struggle

Out of a deep understanding of the situation, it becomes very clear to us what we must stand and beg Hashem for. When we see the relentless attempts to harm the tzaddik, we understand the gravity of the hour and the need to strengthen ourselves. Ultimately, Hashem will show everyone the decisive answer to the forces of evil, and the absolute victory of holiness.

Story: For Almost an Entire Hour, They Could Not Bring the Vehicle into the Courtyard

It reached the point where the police saw the enthusiasm and excitement of the holy congregation and realized that it was completely impossible

to separate the holy public from their beloved Rav. Thus, they stood helplessly for about an entire hour, until they finally decided to storm in with force

and push the students with fists, blows, and so forth, until the vehicle finally proceeded.

A Special Story: If Only They Would Stop Giving Money, All the Troubles Come From There

One of the prominent dayanim (judges) and righteous teachers of our holy community recently shared a fascinating testimony. The matter revolved around the issue of taking budgets from the state, and the spiritual impact this has on the public.

The Fear of Budget Cuts

On one occasion, people approached the honorable Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a and shared their concerns with him. They expressed a heavy fear of what was to come, telling him that they were very afraid that the budgets for the institutions would be stopped. The material worry was evident, but the Rav shlit"a had a completely different spiritual perspective.

The Rav's Surprising Response

That prominent dayan testified and precisely quoted the holy words of the Rav shlit"a on that occasion. In response to the fears raised before him, the Rav shlit"a answered decisively: "If only they would stop! All the troubles come from their money."

This piercing statement illustrates the pure perspective of the tzaddik. It teaches us the extent to which we must rely solely on the Creator of the world, and understand that dependence on external factors is often the true source of the difficulties we experience.

A Wondrous Story: The Vehicle That Drove on Water by the Power of the Tzaddik's Decree

We know many stories about the holy Baal Shem Tov zy"a, may his merit protect us all, amen, of how he broke the laws of nature. It is known that in the city of Medzhybizh there is the "Baal Shem Tov's Spring." This spring was created when the holy Baal Shem Tov passed through the area with his holy students and wanted to immerse. He resolved in his heart to make a spring there, and as we know—a tzaddik decrees and Hashem fulfills. Immediately, a spring of living water burst forth in that spot.

Many such stories are brought down in holy books, particularly in the book "Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov" (Praises of the Baal Shem Tov). We, believing Jews, the children of believers, know that Hashem, may He be blessed, lives and endures, and the holy Torah stands and endures forever and for all eternity. Nothing changes, Heaven forbid. In every generation, there are holy and pure tzaddikim who serve Hashem, may He be blessed, with mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice). They have completely nullified their own existence, and therefore Hashem, may He be blessed, nullifies the laws of nature for them.

He Who Told the Fuel to Drive Will Tell the Water to Drive

One of the students of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, related a wondrous fact from a reliable source, illustrating how the power of the tzaddikim exists even in our generation. On one of the journeys of the Rav shlit"a to a certain location, the driver suddenly noticed the fuel gauge dropping. The fuel in the vehicle had completely run out, and it was clear that it was impossible to continue driving like this.

When the driver updated the Rav on the situation, the tzaddik asked him simply: "Is there water?" The driver answered in the affirmative. To his immense surprise, the Rav commanded him to pour the water into the vehicle's fuel tank.

The driver obeyed the words of the Rav and poured the water inside. Wonder of wonders! The vehicle started and continued to drive on the water, until they arrived safely at their destination. Just as Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa said: "He who told the oil to burn will tell the vinegar to burn" – so too here, He who told the fuel to drive, told the water to drive.

A Wondrous Story: The Vehicle Drove for a Long Hour Without Fuel Following Rabbi Berland shlit"a

A group of Anash (our people), students of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, related a wondrous fact that occurred several years ago. During that period, the Rav shlit"a would travel every night throughout the Holy Land. The purpose of his journeys was clear: to strengthen the people of Israel, to awaken hearts, and to bring wandering brothers back in teshuvah (repentance).

Holy Journeys Throughout the Land

Every night, the Rav shlit"a would arrive in a different city, spreading light and emunah (faith) everywhere he went. Following the tzaddik were dozens of vehicles packed with our people. Everyone wanted to merit participating in these holy journeys, to hear the words of Torah, and to absorb the holiness that enveloped these gatherings.

On one of those nightly journeys, the passengers of one of the vehicles noticed that the red warning light on the dashboard had turned on. The meaning was clear: The fuel in the vehicle was going to run out at any moment, and they had to stop immediately at a gas station.

The Warning Light and the Wondrous Journey

Despite the clear warning from the vehicle, its passengers faced a difficult dilemma. They did not want to stop to fill up with gas, because they feared that such a stop would cause them to lose the convoy traveling behind the tzaddik. Out of pure faith and a strong desire not to disconnect from the Rav shlit"a, they decided to continue driving.

And so, contrary to all natural or mechanical logic, the vehicle continued to drive for a long hour without any fuel at all. The wondrous journey continued until the tzaddik arrived safely at the place he needed to reach that night.

This story illustrates how the power of the tzaddik and the devotion of his students overcome even the laws of nature, accompanying those who walk in his path at every step.

From Issue 81 — Parashas Bamidbar

From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" (A Tzaddik Rules Through the Fear of G-d) — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications