An Amazing Story About the Rav's Immense Expertise in the Book of Isaiah, and 4 More Stories

A special story that illustrates the immense expertise of Morinu HaRav shlit"a, when he proved that the printed version of Rashi's commentary in the Book of Isaiah is a mistake.

An Amazing Story About the Rav's Immense Expertise in the Book of Isaiah

A certain Jew shared an amazing story that happened to him decades ago, which illustrates the magnitude of the immense expertise of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a in all the hidden treasures of the Torah. In those days, he approached the Rav shlit"a to ask him a question in his learning. He wanted to understand a specific commentary of Rashi on one of the verses in the Book of Isaiah.

The Rav's Surprising Answer

Morinu HaRav shlit"a listened to the question with great concentration. He delved into the matter for a few minutes, sank into his thoughts, and then raised his eyes and gave a surprising answer. "There is no such Rashi in the Book of Isaiah," the Rav shlit"a ruled with absolute certainty.

That Jew was certain of what he had seen, and therefore he did not give up. He immediately went and brought a book of Nevi'im Acharonim (Later Prophets) of the Book of Isaiah. He opened the book and showed Morinu HaRav shlit"a in black and white: here, there is exactly such a Rashi as he had asked about.

Limitless Expertise

But Morinu HaRav shlit"a, who has the entire Torah resting in his mind with immense clarity, was not surprised at all. He immediately approached the bookcase to set the record straight. The Rav promptly opened several different books and showed that Jew the exact sources.

The Rav shlit"a proved to him unequivocally that the printed version in that book of Rashi is incorrect, and it is a mistake. This wondrous story testifies more than anything to the absolute mastery of Morinu HaRav shlit"a over every single letter in the holy Torah. This is a rare expertise that allows for the precise identification of errors in printed versions, stemming from a pure and crystal-clear memory.

An Amazing Story: Rabbi Berland's Meeting with the Gaavad of Jerusalem and the Amazement Over the Chasam Sofer

A few years ago, a special and moving meeting took place between Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a and Maran the Gaavad (Chief Rabbi) of the holy city of Jerusalem, the great Gaon Rabbi Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss zt"l. The encounter between these two Torah giants was renowned, and in their holy way, immediately upon the start of the meeting, they began to converse and delve deeply into words of Torah.

The Meeting of Torah Giants

During the fascinating conversation, Morinu HaRav shlit"a opened the holy book "Chasam Sofer." He showed the Gaavad of Jerusalem a wondrous chiddush (novel Torah insight) and a deep Torah thought from the book.

It is known to all that the Gaavad was deeply attached to the teachings of the Chasam Sofer, and he dedicated many hours to studying and delving into his writings. Because of this, the words that Rabbi Berland presented to him touched his heart in a special way.

"From Where Do You Know This?"

When the Gaavad heard the words of Torah from Rabbi Berland shlit"a, he was completely astounded. He was greatly amazed by the immense and rare expertise of Morinu HaRav in all the hidden treasures of the Torah, and particularly in the book of the Chasam Sofer.

Out of wonder and great emotion, the Gaavad turned to the Rav and asked him in astonishment: "From where do you know this?"

This story illustrates, even if just a little, the immense greatness of Morinu HaRav shlit"a in Torah. His amazing expertise in all parts of the Torah, to the point that the greatest leaders of the generation are amazed by it, is a living testimony to his immense diligence and his infinite devotion to the study of the holy Torah.

An Amazing Story: Rabbi Berland's Immense Expertise Before Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Bender

A wondrous story is told that illustrates the special connection and mutual appreciation between Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a and his teacher, the holy tzaddik Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Bender zy"a. As is known, the Rav shlit"a would sit in the dust of his teacher's feet, drawing Torah and fear of Heaven from him with an immense thirst. He never missed a single conversation or story from his holy teacher, and he would listen to his words with literal mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice).

Thirst for Words of Torah

Once, our teacher the Rav shlit"a sat with Rabbi Levi Yitzchak in the middle of a seudah (festive meal). As was his holy custom, the Rav shlit"a began asking him many questions regarding words of Torah. He asked to hear discourses and stories about our people from previous generations, in order to draw more and more pearls from his teachings.

At a certain point, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak turned to him and said: "Since we are currently in the middle of the seudah, and the Sages said that one should not converse during a meal, perhaps we should stop talking now."

Rare Expertise and Quick Recall

Our teacher the Rav shlit"a did not hesitate, and immediately gave his teacher a decisive halachic answer. He pointed out to him what is brought down in the book Shaarei Teshuvah (Siman 170), where it states that nowadays it is not customary to strictly observe this halacha forbidding conversation during a meal.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak immediately remembered this halacha, and was greatly amazed. He wondered and expressed his immense astonishment that our teacher the Rav shlit"a remembered and reminded him of this exact halacha on the spot, with tremendous expertise and quick recall.

This fact was etched in the memory of those present, as further testimony to the genius and absolute mastery of our teacher the Rav shlit"a in all the hidden treasures of Torah and Halacha.

Story: Reaching out and taking the book Degel Machaneh Ephraim from the bookcase and showing where it is written

There is another wonderful story from when our teacher the Rav shlit"a visited one of the great Admorim shlit"a and they spoke words of Torah, and the Rav

shlit"a cited within his words the teachings of the Degel Machaneh Ephraim regarding a certain matter. The aforementioned tzaddik wondered about this, asking where it was written, and immediately

our teacher the Rav shlit"a turned around and reached his hand toward the bookcase. Without any searching, he pulled out the book Degel Machaneh Ephraim and showed it to the Admor

shlit"a, who was beside himself with amazement. Out of the immense excitement, joy, and delight he received from the presence of a holy tzaddik in his home, he prolonged

the conversation with our teacher the Rav shlit"a very much. The gabbaim (attendants) told him that he needed to go to a chuppah (wedding canopy) and that the groom and bride were already waiting, but he answered them

that he could not part from this tzaddik, and that the son of the Admor should officiate the kiddushin (betrothal ceremony) because he was staying with the Rav shlit"a.

A Rare Story: The Testimony of the Kabbalist Rabbi Morgenstern on the Expertise of Rabbi Berland

One of the greatest Kabbalists of our generation, the pious tzaddik Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Morgenstern shlit"a, arrived for a special and uplifting visit at the residence of our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. The rare meeting between these two spiritual giants occurred at a particularly dramatic time. It was exactly on that night, just moments before our teacher the Rav shlit"a departed for his years of exile.

Hours of the Secrets of the Torah

During that historic night, the two tzaddikim secluded themselves in a room and dove into the depths of the esoteric Torah. They sat and spoke at length regarding matters of the hidden Torah, delving into the highest secrets of Kabbalah.

This deep and spiritual conversation lasted for many long hours, and did not cease until the break of dawn. Those present waited outside in excitement, understanding that they were witnessing a rare meeting of the generation's greatest leaders clarifying hidden concepts together.

The Resounding Testimony

When the meeting concluded and Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Morgenstern emerged from the room, his face was shining with great excitement. He turned to the people standing around him, unable to conceal his immense awe at what he had just experienced.

In a clear and decisive voice, he testified before those around him about the incomprehensible greatness of Morinu HaRav. "There is no outstanding genius in our generation in Toras HaNistar (the hidden Torah) and the secrets of the Torah like the Rav shlit"a," the Kabbalist declared. This testimony was engraved in the hearts of the listeners, and it continues to echo and bear witness to the immense spiritual stature of Morinu HaRav shlit"a in the realm of the hidden Torah.

From Issue 79 — Parashas Bamidbar

From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" (A Tzaddik Rules through the Fear of God) — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications.