A Wondrous Story: Who Really Sits at the Mizrach Next to Rabbi Berland shlit"a? / A Story of a Surprising Connection

A moving testimony about the special sight in the Beis Midrash (study hall) of Rabbi Berland shlit"a, where the Mizrach (eastern wall) is not reserved for dignitaries, but is filled with small children thirsting for closeness to the tzaddik.

A Wondrous Story: Who Really Sits at the Mizrach Next to Rabbi Berland shlit"a?

A Jew who merited to spend time in the presence of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a spoke with immense awe about a wondrous and moving scene that repeats itself constantly. According to him, anyone who enters the Beis Midrash can immediately notice something extraordinary. It is a sight that testifies more than anything else to the holiness, humility, and uniqueness of the tzaddik.

The Children's Mizrach

In any regular synagogue or Beis Midrash, it is known that the most distinguished and important people usually sit at the Mizrach wall. However, by Rabbi Berland shlit"a, the picture is completely different. "On the bimah (platform) next to the Rav shlit"a, the place is packed to capacity with small children," he describes with emotion.

These tender children are willing to stand in great crowding and pressure for hours on end. For them, the main thing is not to give up the wonderful pleasantness and the immense privilege of being near and close to the tzaddik. The love and warmth they receive draw them to the most honorable place in the Beis Midrash.

The Humility of the Students

Alongside the moving sight of the children, the immense lowliness and humility of the students of the Rav shlit"a is also evident. While the children crowd around the bimah, the veteran and important students choose to stand in the back. Each of them takes his place in his own corner, in complete hiddenness and modesty.

Not a single one of them demands a place of honor or special status for himself. They do not think for a moment that they deserve any honor to be at the Mizrach, but are satisfied with the very privilege of dwelling in the shadow of the tzaddik. This sight reflects more than anything the pure education of humility and self-nullification that the Rav imparts to his students.

A Story of a Surprising Connection: A Satmar Chassid from Kiryas Joel Reveals Miracles

Time and again, we merit to discover more and more of the wonders of Hashem. It is amazing to see how the holy fire of the tzaddik, Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, burns and illuminates all across the entire world. The light of the Rav crosses continents, bypasses sectarian divides, and reaches the hearts of Jews from all circles and communities.

The Fire of the Tzaddik Reaches Kiryas Joel

This week, a particularly wonderful and moving thing became known. A dear Jew, one of the prominent Satmar Chassidim residing in Kiryas Joel in Monroe, United States, became bound in heart and soul to Morinu HaRav shlit"a. The spiritual connection formed between them is deep and special, and the Chassid has already merited to speak with the tzaddik personally several times.

Divine Providence in a Phone Call

This week, through wondrous Divine Providence, this Satmar Chassid happened to speak on the phone with one of his family members. It turns out that this relative is himself one of the prominent students of Morinu HaRav shlit"a. During the conversation, the Chassid shared with great emotion about the strong and courageous connection he has recently forged with the Rav.

He did not settle for merely describing the connection, but told his relative several new and wondrous stories about miracles he had experienced—things he knows and testifies to firsthand. This fact illustrates once again how the holiness of the tzaddik does its work in every place and at every time, connecting the souls of Israel to their Father in Heaven.

A Wondrous Story: The Historic Bris and the Notes of Rabbi Rompler zt"l

A Jew shared a special testimony he heard from one of the gabbaim (attendants) of the tzaddik Rabbi Aharon Tzvi Rompler zt"l. The story takes us back a few years, to a moving and rare occasion of a bris milah (circumcision) held in the presence of Rabbi Rompler.

The Uplifted Bris Ceremony

At that bris milah, the Torah giants of Israel joined together for an event of supreme holiness. The tzaddik Rabbi Aharon Tzvi Rompler zt"l served as the mohel, while Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a was honored to sit on the chair of the sandek. In addition, the pious tzaddik Rabbi Yaakov Meir Erlanger shlit"a was honored with reciting the blessings. The combination of these tzaddikim created an extraordinary spiritual atmosphere among all those present.

The Words of Torah and Illuminations

After the conclusion of the bris ceremony, Morinu HaRav Berland shlit"a began delivering words of Torah. The Rav shared deep and fascinating chiddushim (novel Torah insights) for an entire hour, with the whole audience listening eagerly to every word that left his mouth.

The immense appreciation for the Rav's words was expressed immediately afterward. The tzaddik Rabbi Aharon Tzvi Rompler zt"l, who was deeply impressed by the teachings, sat down and transcribed all the words of Torah that Morinu HaRav shlit"a had delivered at that event. He did not stop there, but even added his own illuminations and chiddushim to the teachings, and sent these special writings to Morinu HaRav shlit"a as a sign of esteem and honor.

From Issue 82 — Parashas Pekudei

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