A Wondrous Story: The Admor Who Heard the Illuminating Melodies of Morinu HaRav / An Amazing Story

One of the greatest Admorim (Chassidic Rebbes), who resides near the Third Wall (HaChoma HaShlishit), testified that the melodies of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a illuminate the night and reach all the way to his home.

A Wondrous Story: The Admor Who Heard the Illuminating Melodies of Morinu HaRav

When speaking about the holy service in the presence of the tzaddik, it is fitting to relate a wondrous matter that testifies to the spiritual power emanating from the beis midrash (study hall) of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. It turns out that the voices of holiness and the melodies do not remain confined within the walls of the synagogue; rather, they echo far and wide, influencing the entire surrounding area.

The Illuminating Melodies Reach the Home

A few weeks ago, one of the greatest tzaddikim of our generation, a Rav to thousands of Jews who resides near the "Third Wall" area in Jerusalem, met one of the prominent students of Morinu HaRav shlit"a. During their conversation, the Admor shared a moving revelation about the nightly routine of the area's residents.

The Admor related that he can hear, all the way from his home, the order of the holy service that Morinu HaRav shlit"a conducts every night together with the congregation. He described with awe the holy melodies bursting forth from the beis midrash, and told the student with great emotion: "The Maariv (evening prayer) with the melodies of the Rav shlit"a are illuminating."

The Admor's Blessing for the Rav's Healing

This special connection was also expressed a few months prior. At that time, the Admor shlit"a participated in the chuppah (wedding canopy) of one of his chassidim. After the conclusion of the chuppah ceremony, one of the students of the Rav shlit"a approached him and asked that the Admor awaken Heavenly mercy for Morinu HaRav, who had been hospitalized for several days.

To the student's astonishment, the Admor immediately replied: "But just yesterday I heard him conducting the order of the holy service with the congregation!" The student confirmed this and said that indeed, Baruch Hashem (Thank God), Morinu HaRav had already returned from the hospital to his beis midrash.

Hearing this, the Admor rejoiced greatly. He blessed Morinu HaRav from the bottom of his heart, that Hashem, May He be blessed, should send him a refuah shleimah (complete healing) and grant him the strength to continue his holy service with the illuminating melodies. This story illustrates how the voice of holiness of the tzaddik echoes and accomplishes its work in the Supernal Worlds and in this world alike.

An Amazing Story: Eight and a Half Hours of Dancing Through the Power of the Tzaddik

There are events that simply have no explanation in the human intellect. This involves a rare and supernal power, through which the tzaddik, Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, bestows upon the congregation an immense joy that descends directly from the Supernal Worlds.

Joy from the Supernal Worlds

It was at two o'clock in the afternoon when the dancing began in the courtyard of the beis midrash. The holy congregation began to dance and leap in honor of Hashem, May He be blessed, and in honor of the holy Torah with immense, sweeping joy.

"More and more people kept coming all the time, and the circles of joy did not cease for even a single moment." The enthusiasm continued to grow, as everyone was swept into the dance circles with extraordinary strength.

Wondrous Unity Above Nature

Thus, the masses danced with incredible continuity until ten-thirty at night—eight and a half hours of non-stop dancing! It is impossible to describe in words the holy and moving spectacle that took place there in the courtyard.

It was a spectacular sight to see a holy congregation comprised of every shade and every circle. There were Ashkenazim, Sephardim, and Yemenites; Chassidim and Litvaks; veteran Jerusalemites and baalei teshuvah (returnees to the faith). Everyone united together in true unity, brotherhood, and fellowship.

They danced and danced without any fatigue, driven by supernal forces completely above the way of nature. This event illustrated more than anything the power of the tzaddik to unite the Jewish people through pure and holy joy.

A Story of Holiness: Thousands Flock to See the Face of the Tzaddik

Approaching ten o'clock at night, the time when Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a was scheduled to come out to the congregation, a great commotion began in the area. Multitudes of Jews started flocking from all directions, and the entire space quickly filled with immense crowding. Literally thousands arrived specifically to merit seeing the face of the holy tzaddik on this holy and awesome day. The excitement in the air was palpable, and the anticipation for the Rav's arrival grew from moment to moment.

His Face Shining Like the Midday Sun

At exactly ten-thirty, Morinu HaRav shlit"a appeared in his majesty before the eyes of the masses. His face was shining like the midday sun, and an immense holiness hovered over him and radiated to all those around. Immediately upon his appearance, the massive crowd could not contain their excitement, and everyone burst together into a mighty song of the verse, "Light is sown for the tzaddik, and joy for the upright of heart."

Melodies, Joy, and Dancing

After the moving reception, the congregation approached the service of the Creator with the special melodies and the familiar, beloved nusach (prayer style) of the Rav shlit"a. Every word was uttered with immense dveikus (spiritual attachment) that was felt in every corner and made hearts tremble. Afterward, the congregation continued with great joy and sweeping dances that lifted everyone handbreadths above the ground (in spiritual ecstasy).

A Seal of Light

The joy and spiritual elevation continued consecutively until eleven-thirty at night. Only then, after having bestowed an abundance of holiness and light upon all those present, did the tzaddik return to his holy residence. Everyone who merited to be there during those exalted moments left filled with strengthening, with emunah (faith), and with a great light that accompanies them onward in their lives.

From Issue 84 — Parashat Tzav

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