A Wondrous Story: The Testimony of the Tzaddik Rabbi Velvel Chechik zt"l About Rabbi Berland and 3 More Stories

A short and fascinating story about the rare testimony of the Jerusalemite tzaddik, Rabbi Velvel Chechik zt"l, who observed Morinu HaRav Berland shlit"a and testified to his immense spiritual stature.

A Wondrous Story: The Testimony of the Tzaddik Rabbi Velvel Chechik zt"l About Rabbi Berland

The great leaders and tzaddikim of heavenly Jerusalem always knew how to recognize the greatness and holiness of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. A rare and unique testimony was given by the holy tzaddik, Rabbi Velvel Chechik zt"l, the brother of the pious tzaddik, Rabbi Shmuel Chechik zt"l.

Observing Holiness

On one occasion, Rabbi Velvel Chechik merited to see and closely observe Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. As is known, tzaddikim are endowed with deep spiritual vision, through which they can perceive things that are hidden from ordinary flesh-and-blood eyes.

Following this observation, Rabbi Velvel expressed himself with rare words that testify to the Rav's immense spiritual stature. He shared his spiritual insights from that inner vision with those around him, explaining what lies behind the Rav's holy conduct.

From the Men of Spiritual Ascent

This is what the tzaddik Rabbi Velvel Chechik zt"l said about Morinu HaRav shlit"a: "I saw him, and according to his movements and his trait of bestowing goodness—he is of the Bnei Aliyah (men of spiritual ascent), and it is impossible to ask any questions about him!"

This testimony, which emphasizes the Rav's infinite trait of bestowing goodness and his holy movements, was deeply engraved in the hearts of the listeners. It teaches us about the greatness of the soul of Morinu HaRav shlit"a, who operates in the supernal worlds and serves as a beacon of loving-kindness and holiness for all of Israel, to the point where there is absolutely no room to question or second-guess his actions.

A Wondrous Story: The Boy With the High Prescription Glasses Who Merited Perfect Vision

A wondrous story was publicized by one of the melamdim (teachers) in the "Nechamas Tzion" Talmud Torah. This melamed, a dear Torah scholar belonging to one of the famous Chassidic courts, shared with us an open miracle that occurred right before his eyes within the walls of the classroom.

The High Prescription Glasses

One day, the melamed pointed to a boy in his class and shared his complex medical background. "Do you see this boy?" he asked with emotion. "He needed glasses with a very high prescription."

It was a very severe visual impairment, and the boy required glasses with a prescription of eleven or twelve. Without these thick glasses, the boy had great difficulty seeing and managing his daily routine, and he was completely dependent on them.

"You Don't Need This"

On one occasion, the boy went in with his parents to receive a blessing from Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. During this holy visit, something completely unexpected occurred.

The Rav shlit"a approached the boy, took off his glasses with his own hands, and told him decisively and with certainty: "You don't need this!"

From that very moment, a tremendous wonder took place. The boy began to see perfectly, Baruch Hashem, and by the grace of Hashem, his vision returned to being completely normal, without any need for glasses. This amazing story continues to evoke awe among everyone who knows the boy and sees the open miracle brought about by the tzaddik.

A Wondrous Story: How the Exhausting Trial in Eilat Was Canceled by the Decree of the Tzaddik

A Jew who is close to Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a shared a wondrous and moving story about a great salvation he merited above the laws of nature. For several years, this Jew had been dealing with an exhausting and prolonged trial that drained him of much of his strength.

As part of the legal proceedings, he was forced to travel to the city of Eilat every six months. The frequent trips and the legal struggle weighed heavily upon him, and he felt that the difficulty was becoming unbearable.

The Request for a Blessing and the Promise

In his distress, the Jew turned to Rabbi Berland shlit"a and asked for his blessing so that he could finally be rid of this oppressive trial. The tzaddik's response was short, decisive, and surprising.

Rabbi Berland shlit"a answered him with complete confidence: "Baruch Hashem (Thank God), I have canceled it." The Jew left the holy presence strengthened in his emunas chachamim (faith in the Sages), but he still waited to see exactly how the salvation would unfold.

The Surprising Last-Minute Salvation

The great wonder occurred right before the scheduled hearing, in a way that defies belief. Just one day before he was supposed to travel to Eilat again, he suddenly received a dramatic message.

He was informed that there was no need for him to come to court, because the hearing had been postponed. When he asked them to what date the trial was postponed, the relevant authorities answered that a new date had not yet been set, and it was likely a very long-term postponement.

Thus, in a miraculous and immediate manner, the salvation began exactly as the Rav had promised. The decree of the tzaddik, "I have canceled it," was fulfilled completely, illustrating once again the holy words of our Sages: "The tzaddik decrees and Hashem fulfills."

A Story of Wondrous Diligence: 18 Hours of Deep, Analytical Study

One of the wondrous stories testifying to the immense diligence of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a occurred during a period when he established a joint study schedule with one of the great figures of Chassidus. This was when Rabbi Berland shlit"a learned in chavrusa (study partnership) together with the tzaddik and chassid, Rabbi Rosenfeld zt"l, who was among the most important spiritual mentors of Breslov Chassidus.

Diligence of Eighteen Hours a Day

The two established a special study schedule for themselves in Tractate Berachos, but this was not a regular study session at all. For a long period, they sat and learned together every day for eighteen consecutive hours. Their joint study was characterized by immense diligence and perseverance that is difficult to describe in normal human terms.

Every sugya (Talmudic topic) in the Gemara was learned in its full depth and breadth, with a thorough clarification of every detail, including the Rishonim and Acharonim (early and later commentators). They were not in a rush to finish pages; rather, they focused on the purest and deepest understanding of the words of Torah.

Deep Analysis Up to Page 36

To understand the level of analysis and depth of that joint study, it is enough to look at their pace. Even though they learned for eighteen hours every day, the study was so deep and thorough that after a full half-year of grueling daily study, they only reached page 36 (Daf Lamed-Vav) in Tractate Berachos.

The fact that it took them six full months to learn thirty-six pages testifies more than anything to the depth of their analysis and the immense exactitude in every single word. This story remains as a living, awe-inspiring testimony to the immense love of Torah of Morinu HaRav shlit"a, and illustrates what true mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) for the toil of Torah looks like.

From Issue 79 — Parashas Pinchas

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