A Wondrous Story: "Rabbi Eliezer is a Master of Faith, and That is an Entirely Different Matter" and 4 More Stories

A special story from the time when our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days), studied at the Kfar Chassidim Yeshiva, testifying to his immense faith and the surprising reaction of the Mashgiach (spiritual supervisor).

A Wondrous Story: "Rabbi Eliezer is a Master of Faith, and That is an Entirely Different Matter"

The wondrous story is well-known from the youth of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, when he diligently studied at the Kfar Chassidim Yeshiva. In those days, the yeshiva was under the spiritual leadership of the holy tzaddik Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian zy"a (may his merit protect us, amen). The Rav shlit"a was entirely immersed in the world of Torah, disconnected from the vanities of this world, and dedicated to serving Hashem with a burning faith.

The Draft Notice and the Surprising Reaction

One day, a draft notice from the army arrived for the Rav shlit"a. Unlike all the other young men who would handle draft notices in the accepted ways, the Rav's reaction was extraordinary. He took the draft notice, tore it to shreds, and threw it into the garbage without any fear or apprehension.

This act aroused wonder and concern among some of the yeshiva students. They hurried to the Mashgiach, the holy tzaddik Rabbi Eliyahu Mishkovsky zy"a (may his merit protect us, amen), and complained about the deed. They claimed that the Rav was doing strange things, and that this behavior could, Heaven forbid, endanger the entire yeshiva with the authorities.

An Entirely Different Matter

The Mashgiach, who knew well the inner depth and holiness of his student, was not moved by the complaints. He looked at them and answered them with these words: "Rabbi Eliezer is a master of faith, and that is an entirely different matter!"

This answer from the tzaddik put an end to the claims, and proved how great the appreciation was for the immense faith of the Rav shlit"a even from the days of his youth. This pure faith, which does not fear any flesh and blood, continues to accompany him and illuminate the path of tens of thousands to this very day.

A Story of Mesirus Nefesh (Self-Sacrifice): Why Did the Rav Accept Upon Himself Exile and Humiliation?

It is known to all that the Jewish people are constantly, and especially in recent years, under the threat of nuclear weapons, may the Merciful One save us. Our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, never closed his eyes in the face of this danger, and for many years he has not stopped warning about it.

Accepting the Exile and Humiliation

A few years ago, the Rav shlit"a explicitly announced a dramatic and incomprehensible step. He declared that he was going to accept upon himself exile and terrible humiliation, all with the goal of sweetening the harsh decree hanging over the Jewish people.

"If there had been such a tzaddik during the Holocaust, then there would not have been a Holocaust," the Rav said, based on the teachings in Likutey Moharan Part I, Torah 260. Immediately afterward, a terrible campaign of persecution began against the Rav, as it is written: "The kings of the earth take their stand, and the princes conspire together against Hashem and against His anointed."

According to the way of nature and according to all the plans of his persecutors, anyone who knows a little of the details understands that the Rav was in actual life-threatening danger many times.

The Tzaddik Shall Flourish Like a Palm Tree

But despite everything, "He who sits in heaven will laugh, Hashem will mock them." Everything turned around for the good without any natural explanation, and beyond all intellect and reason. On the contrary, the verse was fulfilled in the Rav: "The tzaddik shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall grow tall like a cedar in Lebanon."

If until a few years ago the number of the tzaddik's students reached perhaps a thousand souls, today, thank Hashem, there are tens of thousands of students from all over the entire world. The mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) of the Rav for the sake of the Jewish people not only sweetened the judgments, but also brought tens of thousands closer to our Father in Heaven.

The Story of the Morocco Exile: When the Tzaddik Turned Every Place into a Beacon of Holiness

When our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, arrived in Morocco, a fog surrounded his whereabouts. During the initial period of his stay there, the general public did not know where he was at all. The tzaddik remained in concealment, far from the public eye, immersed in his holy work and in Hisbodedus (secluded prayer).

Boundless Loyalty

The situation changed when his loyal students began arriving at the location. Those chassidim, who followed him with mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) all along the way, did not give up until they merited to find their Rav. They crossed continents and oceans just to be in the presence of the tzaddik and absorb his Torah.

Miracles and the Infusion of Spiritual Life

From that historic period in Morocco, endless wondrous stories of miracles and wonders remain. Everyone who merited to be there witnessed incomprehensible spiritual revelations. Wherever the tzaddik arrived, the place immediately transformed into a focal point that everyone turned to.

The presence of the Rav shlit"a completely changed the atmosphere in the country. He infused it with a life of Torah, emunah (faith), and immense holiness. This period proved once again that the light of the tzaddik illuminates and revives souls everywhere in the world, even in the distant exile.

A Wondrous Story in Morocco: "Why Are You Chasing Away My Chassidim?"

The Holiday of Receiving the Torah in the City of Ouezzane

One story out of a thousand took place on the holiday of Shavuos in the year 5773 (2013), the holiday of receiving the Torah. In those days, Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a was staying in the city of Ouezzane in Morocco. The Rav and his students arrived at the compound of the holy tziyun (gravesite) of Rabbi Amram Diwan zy"a, may he protect us all, amen.

It was a huge and very spacious compound, which included many rooms, a large hall, and a magnificent synagogue. The place was ideal for the stay of the tzaddik along with the congregation of students who sought to shelter in his shadow during the days of the holiday. However, at first, a very difficult problem arose.

The Dream of the Landlady

The landlady, who managed the compound, adamantly refused to allow their entry. She did not want to give the place over for the tzaddik and his students, and it seemed that the gates of the compound would remain closed to them. But suddenly, one morning, a real turnaround occurred.

The landlady made contact and announced with great joy that she agreed for the Rav and his students to come and stay at the place. When asked about the meaning of the extreme change in her position, she shared a wondrous revelation she had experienced that night. She related that she had a vivid dream in which the holy tzaddik Rabbi Amram Diwan zy"a, may he protect us all, amen, appeared to her in all his glory.

In the dream, the tzaddik turned to her with a piercing claim and asked her: "Why are you chasing away my chassidim?". Following this chilling revelation, the landlady understood the magnitude of the privilege that had fallen to her lot, and she hurried to open the gates of the compound wide. Thus, Morinu HaRav shlit"a and his students merited to celebrate the holiday of the giving of the Torah in holiness and spiritual elevation in the presence of the tzaddik.

An Amazing Story: The Mountains of Morocco Waited 3,000 Years to Receive the Torah

Who can estimate and who can describe the splendor and beauty of the true tzaddik, to whom all of nature is completely nullified. Anyone who did not merit to be present on the holiday of Shavuos in the presence of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a will find it difficult to imagine the intensity of the experience and the holiness that rested upon the place.

Light and Joy Amidst the Depths of Suffering

The days were days of deep suffering and persecution, but despite everything, Hashem, may He be blessed, illuminated His face toward the tzaddik. The Rav shlit"a looked truly like a king in his splendor, and Hashem, may He be blessed, prepared for him everything he needed to celebrate the holiday of the giving of the Torah with great magnificence.

A magnificent synagogue stood at the congregation's disposal, hosting the lengthy holy service that was filled with immense joy and moving melodies. The moments of the Torah reading and the "Akdamus" piyyut (liturgical poem) were particularly uplifting, and the tremendous joy evident on the face of Morinu HaRav shlit"a radiated onto all those present.

The Mountains of Morocco Merit Receiving the Torah

The spiritual elevation continued during the festive meals of the holiday as well, where the close followers merited to dine together with the tzaddik. The joy broke all boundaries, and the sweeping dances in honor of the Torah continued throughout the entire night without pause.

During the festival, Morinu HaRav shlit"a made an awe-inspiring and moving statement that shed light on the secret of his exile. "For three thousand years, these mountains in Morocco have been waiting and anticipating that the holy Torah would be received there," said the Rav, granting deep historical and spiritual meaning to their stay in that place.

These words of the tzaddik illustrate how every journey and every exile conceal within them tremendous tikkunim (rectifications) and the elevation of holy sparks. May the merit of Morinu HaRav shlit"a protect us, and may we always merit to rejoice in the joy of the Torah.

From Issue 79 — Parashat Balak

From the series "A Tzaddik Rules in the Fear of God" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications