An Amazing Story: The Rav's Acceptance of Humiliation Before Returning to Israel and 4 More Stories

A chilling story about the words of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a during his exile in Johannesburg, where he took upon himself a portion of bizyonos (humiliation) and degradation so that he could return to the Holy Land.

An amazing story: The Rav's acceptance of bizyonos (humiliation) before returning to Israel.

One of the close followers relates a story about the grueling period of exile of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, and his immense mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) for the sake of the Jewish people.

Grueling exile and suffering in prison.

Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a endured a difficult exile and suffering that lasted for four full years. During this period, the Rav went through many hardships and sat in various prisons around the world several times.

The most difficult period right before his return to Israel is especially remembered. In those days, the Rav spent several months in a terrible and harsh prison in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, under inhumane conditions.

The price for returning to the Holy Land.

During those difficult days in prison, the tzaddik said wondrous and chilling words that remain engraved in the hearts of his students to this day. The Rav explained that in order to be able to return to the Holy Land, he must take upon himself a respectable portion of bizyonos (humiliation).

He even elaborated on his words and explicitly declared: "I will not be released until the members of the Badatz shlit"a sign against me." Everyone who was close to the Rav during that period remembers this awesome and holy statement very well.

The fulfillment of the tzaddik's words.

Over time, his students and close followers hoped and thought that the harsh judgment had already been sweetened in Heaven, and that the decree of those bizyonos (humiliation) had been canceled. Everyone wished that the Rav would be able to return without that respectable portion of persecution.

Ultimately, however, reality proved otherwise. Everyone saw clearly that Rabbi Berland shlit"a did not give up on accepting the bizyonos (humiliation) with love. He chose to go through the ordeal of degradation willingly, all in order to sweeten the harsh judgments from upon the Jewish people and to merit returning to the Holy Land.

A story: "A person needs to be cursed twenty-four hours a day."

This statement is very difficult to digest, but this is the process of the tzaddik, and this is what he has toiled over all the days of his life. The story was that a certain young man from a large Chassidic group in the holy city of Jerusalem drew close to Breslov. His parents said that one of the grandsons of Rabbi Berland shlit"a had brought him close, so they called him and yelled at him. Once, he received a phone call from one of the family members who cursed him with vigorous curses. On the holy Sabbath night, he went up to the home of Rabbi Berland shlit"a and told him what had happened—that someone had cursed him with terrible curses, may Hashem protect us. When Rabbi Berland shlit"a heard this, his eyes literally lit up, and he said to him like this: "A person needs to be cursed twenty-four hours a day. Rebbe Nachman turns everything into blessings; you have nothing to fear." Rabbi Berland shlit"a was so enthusiastic that it looked as if he was jealous of him. Out of his great joy and excitement, Rabbi Berland shlit"a entered a room with his grandson and spoke with him for a long time about everything he had wanted to discuss for a long while.

An Amazing Story: When the Rav Sweetened the Decree to Protect the Community

One of the students of the community shares an inspiring memory from a turbulent period, illustrating the deep concern of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, for his flock. As we all remember, about a year ago, a historic letter of signatures was issued by the Badatz (Rabbinical Court) shlit"a. The letter unequivocally called for an end to the hatred, persecution, and controversy that were being waged at the time against the Rav shlit"a.

A Decree Flipped for the Good

In those days, the Rav shlit"a revealed to his close associates what was taking place behind the scenes in the upper worlds. The Rav then made an amazing revelation: "In truth, a letter with signatures was supposed to come out against me, but I saw that this would be very difficult for the holy community."

The Rav explained that he saw with his ruach hakodesh (divine inspiration) that men, women, and children would not be able to bear such heavy disgrace. Therefore, he testified about himself: "I acted in Heaven so that the matter would be annulled." And indeed, to everyone's joy, we saw tangibly how everything flipped for the good. Instead of a hurtful letter, a clear ruling was issued by the Rabbinical Court, which stood by his side and ruled in favor of the Rav shlit"a.

Sweetening the Judgments and Preparing the Community

However, in light of recent events and the new trials that have arisen, an even deeper picture has become clear. It seems that the Rav shlit"a did not completely give up on his suffering, but rather acted to delay and sweeten them for his flock.

It turns out that the entire previous letter that delayed the decree was only meant to slightly sweeten the judgments. The goal was to give the community time to strengthen themselves, so that we would be ready to accept what has happened now, a year later. In the merit of that wondrous sweetening by the tzaddik, the current struggle has become much easier and manageable for everyone, out of a burning emunah (faith) that everything is for the best.

A Story of Emunah: It is Impossible to Disconnect Am Yisrael from the Tzaddik

One of the close associates shared from the bottom of his heart about the current period and the steadfastness of the public: "By the grace of Hashem, may He be blessed, we are meriting to see absolute wonders. We are witnessing that this difficult trial has not confused anyone from Am Yisrael (the Jewish people). Everyone knows the absolute truth, and understands very well who we are talking about."

Tzaddik Yesod Olam

"It is clear to everyone that we are dealing here with a Tzaddik Yesod Olam (a tzaddik who is the foundation of the world), a true tzaddik in whose merit we all live," he explains with emotion. "Through his terrible suffering and the disgrace he takes upon himself with love, he sweetens harsh judgments from Am Yisrael." Anyone with eyes in their head sees how the tzaddik has mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) for us, absorbing everything to protect the generation.

An Unbreakable Connection

In light of this, everyone feels the immense love and deep connection to our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. After all, the rule regarding Am Yisrael is known, as our Sages said: 'If they are not prophets, they are the children of prophets.' The inner sense of every Jew knows how to recognize the truth and connect to it.

"It is absolutely impossible in any way to disconnect Am Yisrael from the source of their vitality, God forbid," he concludes. Am Yisrael is a holy nation, and when the truth shines in their hearts, no trial in the world can sway them from the straight path and from emunah in the true tzaddik.

A Story: A Message About the Controversy and the Approaching Geulah

This awesome statement was heard from him several times, and in the past week, he repeated it. This matter should shake us all.

We are transcribing this in positive terms:

"Anyone who is not drawn into the controversy against Rabbi Berland shlit"a and does not cause him sorrow, will merit the approaching Geulah (Redemption) and to see our righteous Mashiach."

From Issue 80 — Parashat Behaalotecha

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