An Amazing Story: Dozens of Holy Books Open in Every Corner of the Rav's Residence, and 4 More Stories

A special testimony from the son-in-law of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a about his tremendous diligence in Torah study, as he runs from corner to corner among dozens of open books throughout the house.

An Amazing Story: Dozens of Holy Books Open in Every Corner of the Rav's Residence

This majestic sight is well known to anyone who has ever merited to enter the holy residence of Rabbi Berland shlit"a. The atmosphere in the house is always saturated with supreme holiness, but more than anything else, one's eyes are immediately drawn to the breathtaking sight of his tremendous diligence in Torah study.

A Table Laden with Dozens of Books

Immediately upon entering the room of the tzaddik, a large, laden table is revealed to the visitor. Along the entire length of the table lie dozens of open holy books, all of which the Rav is actively engaged with and studying simultaneously. Anyone who merits to see this sight stands in awe of the immense scope of study, which is truly unparalleled.

Running from Corner to Corner

The son-in-law of the Rav shlit"a relates that this sight is not limited only to the main table. According to him, in every possible corner throughout the house, even on the beds, open holy books are placed, waiting to be studied.

The holy Rav shlit"a is constantly immersed in his learning without pause, and he is continuously standing up from his place. He simply runs swiftly from one corner of the house to another, just to look into a certain book or check an additional source. In all the many books scattered around the house, there are bookmarks, testifying to the fact that the Rav is holding his place in all of them simultaneously.

This special testimony illustrates, if only slightly, the burning love for Torah of the tzaddik. It is evident that every single moment of his life is dedicated to deep study and diving into the depths of the holy books, without any interruption.

A Wondrous Story: The Secret Test That Proved the Expertise of Rabbi Berland shlit"a

One Jew shared an amazing fact that testifies to the tremendous immersion of Rabbi Berland shlit"a in the study of the holy Torah. It is known to all that the Rav's table is always laden with dozens of open books, as he delves into all of them simultaneously, connecting topics from all across the Talmud and the holy books.

The Secret Test Among the Books

That Jew wanted to see with his own eyes just how far the immersion of the Rav shlit"a in his learning reached, and he decided to take action. He took a random book that was completely unrelated to the topics the Rav was engaged in at that time.

He opened the book and placed it on the table, right among all the holy books that the Rav shlit"a had already opened and prepared for his study. Afterward, he waited on the side to see how the tzaddik would react when he returned to his learning.

"This Does Not Belong Here"

A short time later, the Rav shlit"a entered the room and immediately began to look into the open holy books before him, diving into the sea of Torah. Suddenly, amidst his rapid and profound study, his eyes caught the planted book.

The Rav paused for a moment, looked at the book, and immediately said: "What is this? This does not belong here!" and closed the book right on the spot.

That person standing on the side was startled and utterly amazed. He saw tangibly just how far the holy Torah toil of the tzaddik reaches, and how his entire being is placed solely in the depths of Torah study. This small incident proved how the Rav keeps his mind focused on so many books and topics simultaneously, without any distraction.

A Story of Torah Diligence: The Holy Books That Are Never Closed

One of the close followers shared a special testimony about the tremendous diligence and perseverance of Rabbi Berland shlit"a in Torah study. It is known that throughout the entire week, the holy books in the Rav's room remain open on the table and are never closed. The reason for this is simple yet amazing: The Rav shlit"a immediately approaches to learn in every free moment, without any delay or loss of precious time.

Respecting the Holy Books and Utilizing Time

Even during the rare moments when Rabbi Berland shlit"a is forced to rest a little, the books are not returned to their place. Instead, they are gently covered with a towel. This action is intended to preserve their holiness, while simultaneously leaving them open and ready for the moment the Rav wakes up and immediately continues his learning.

Preparations for the Holy Shabbos

The only time this routine changes is at the end of the week. Only on the eve of the holy Shabbos, with the conclusion of the weekdays and the preparations for the Shabbos Queen, are all the books returned to the bookcase. This short anecdote illustrates more than anything the burning love for Torah of the tzaddik, whose entire life is dedicated to continuous, uninterrupted study.

An Amazing Story: Two Full Days of Serving Hashem Without a Moment's Pause

The grandson of our holy master, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, relates an amazing personal testimony of what his own eyes witnessed in the home of the tzaddik. One day, he wanted to speak with Rabbi Berland shlit"a about a certain matter and approached his room.

Immersed in Torah Study

Early in the morning, immediately following the Vatikin prayer (sunrise prayer), the grandson entered the study. He found Rabbi Berland shlit"a deeply immersed in Torah study, so he decided not to disturb him and left the room. Several hours later, when midday had already arrived, the grandson entered again.

To his surprise, he saw Rabbi Berland shlit"a in the exact same position, with the book close to his holy eyes, completely concentrated on his learning. The grandson left and returned a few hours later, but the scene repeated itself. The tzaddik was still immersed in the study of the holy Torah, completely disconnected from his surroundings.

Two Consecutive Days of Dveikus (Attachment to Hashem)

When the hour was already close to sunset, the grandson realized that he had to approach Rabbi Berland shlit"a and remind him that the day was about to pass. The moment the Rav heard this, he immediately stood up for the Minchah (afternoon) prayer.

From that moment, an incomprehensible sequence of serving the Creator began. Rabbi Berland shlit"a stood on his feet with tremendous dveikus (attachment to Hashem) until four o'clock in the morning! Immediately afterward, he continued to Maariv (evening prayer), and then to Shacharis (morning prayer), which lasted for hours upon hours. From there, he continued again to Minchah and Maariv until the early hours of the following morning.

In total, Rabbi Berland shlit"a spent two full days in continuous service of Hashem, without a single moment's pause. This story illustrates just a tiny fraction of the tzaddik's immense love for the Torah and infinite attachment to the Creator of the world, embodying the verse, "With her love you shall always be intoxicated."

A Wondrous Story: The Secret of the Shabbos Table and the Holy Zemiros (Songs) of Rabbi Berland shlit"a

It is well known and famous that the holy Shabbos table of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, is one of the central foundations in conducting a Jewish home and providing a holy and pure education. Rabbi Berland shlit"a always demands and literally cries out about this: "Whoever wants his sons and daughters to walk in the path of Torah and fear of Heaven should prolong the holy Shabbos zemiros (songs)!" He emphasizes that one must follow the conduct of our holy Rebbe, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov zy"a, and sing all the zemiros without skipping even a single piyut (liturgical poem).

Entering Shabbos and Singing the Zemiros

One of the Rav's sons-in-law relates the order of the Shabbos table in the home of our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, during a period when the Rav would not pray with the congregation on the night of the holy Shabbos, but only on Shabbos morning. After Rabbi Berland shlit"a had stood on his feet for long hours serving Hashem, he would enter his home completely exhausted. Presumably, a long time had passed since he had tasted anything. At that time, the Rebbetzin (may she live long) was already standing and preparing the cup to pour the wine for Kiddush.

Rabbi Berland shlit"a would take the cup, recite Kiddush, wash his hands, and recite the "HaMotzi" blessing. Immediately after tasting a kezayis (olive-sized portion) of the challah, he would begin to sing the holy Shabbos zemiros during the meal. He would eat slowly and deliberately, spoonful after spoonful, and all the while the tzaddik would sing the zemiros with an indescribable sweetness and supernal pleasantness. He did not stop singing and chanting until he finished all the zemiros entirely, a routine that took about a full hour.

Words of Torah and Shared Learning

After finishing the zemiros, Rabbi Berland shlit"a would open the book "Likutey Halachos". He would begin reading aloud before the attendees, reading several pages with enthusiasm, and then pass the book to one of the attendees to continue reading, and then to another, until Birchas HaMazon (Grace After Meals). Sometimes, when there were many guests and attendees around the table, the Rebbetzin (may she live long) wanted to hear every single utterance of the Rav's words of Torah. She would stand up from her place and draw very close to Rabbi Berland shlit"a so as not to miss a single word.

That same son-in-law continues and relates about the holy daily routine of the Rav and the Rebbetzin even on weekdays. Usually, Rabbi Berland shlit"a sits in his room, immersed in Torah study, while the Rebbetzin, may she live, sits in the other room, also engaged in holy books. From time to time, the Rebbetzin enters the room of the Rav shlit"a and asks him to explain a certain matter in her learning. Often, the Rav shlit"a sits and learns with her as a *chavrusa* (study partner) for several consecutive hours.

This story sheds light on the holy conduct in the home of the tzaddik, a place where Shabbos zemiros (songs), Torah study, and the constant yearning for closeness to Hashem are intertwined with one another at every single moment.

From Issue 80 — Parashas Acharei Mos-Kedoshim

From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" (A Tzaddik Rules Through the Fear of G-d) — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications.