A Year Since the Passing of the Esteemed Rabbi Yechezkel Berland zt"l

The days of the Passover holiday are approaching, and with them, the anniversary of the passing of the Gaon Rabbi Yechezkel Berland zt"l, brother of our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. As we reported a year ago, the Gaon Rabbi Yechezkel zt"l passed away on Wednesday, the 4th day of Chol HaMoed Passover 5778, at the age of 75. These are the words we wrote then.

The house of our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, President of the "Shuvu Banim Nachalat Tzion" Breslov community - "Make for yourself a mourning for an only son." We are stunned and enveloped in sorrow and grief, along with all of the House of Israel, upon hearing the news of the passing to the supernal heights of the Tzaddik Rabbi Yechezkel Berland zt"l, son of the late Rabbi Chaim and brother of our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, Rabbi of the Nahora settlement, who was summoned to the Heavenly Yeshiva on the 4th day of Chol HaMoed Passover. And all the House of Israel shall weep for the burning that Hashem has kindled. May his soul be bound in the bond of life.

Our teacher, Rav Berland shlit"a, is sitting shiva at his home on HaChoma HaShlishit Street in Jerusalem. The Shuvu Banim International organization and the Knesita Chada staff bow their heads in great sorrow and deep grief and send condolences to the family. Thus far are the words we wrote a year ago at the time of his passing.

Rabbi Yechezkel passed away after struggling with a severe illness during his final year. He established his first residence after his marriage in Kfar Chassidim, near the 'Knesset Eliyahu' Yeshiva where our teacher, Rav Berland shlit"a, also studied. About 40 years ago, he arrived at the Nahora settlement and sparked a revolution of teshuvah (repentance) there.

As mentioned, during the last year of his life, Rabbi Yechezkel struggled with a severe illness, but during last year's Passover holiday, his condition deteriorated and he required hospitalization, until on Tuesday he had to undergo a complicated surgery. Our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik Berland shlit"a, upon hearing this, went to visit him and prayed the Mincha and Arvit prayers by his side, and also recited the psalms of the Tikkun HaKlali.

To our heartbreak, Rabbi Yechezkel returned his soul the following day, at the time a large gathering with our teacher, Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, was supposed to take place. At 10:30 in the morning, our teacher arrived at the Shamgar funeral home and spoke of the greatness of his brother, Rabbi Yechezkel zt"l. Afterward, the mourners traveled to the burial site on the Mount of Olives.

May his soul be bound in the bond of life.

The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland with his brother, the Tzaddik Yechezkel Berland zt"l, shortly before his passing.

The Gaon and Tzaddik Rav Berland shlit"a parting from his brother, Rabbi Yechezkel zt"l, at the hospital.

[caption id="attachment_11351" align="alignnone" width="850"] The Gaon and Tzaddik Rav Berland shlit"a parting from his brother, Rabbi Yechezkel zt"l, at the hospital.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_11352" align="alignnone" width="850"] The Gaon and Tzaddik Rav Berland shlit"a parting from his brother, Rabbi Yechezkel zt"l, at the hospital.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_11353" align="alignnone" width="850"] The Gaon and Tzaddik Rav Berland shlit"a parting from his brother, Rabbi Yechezkel zt"l, at the hospital.[/caption]

Photo gallery from the funeral of Rabbi Yechezkel Berland zt"l on the Mount of Olives, with the participation of the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

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