An Emotional Meeting of the Holy Milkman with the Esteemed Rabbi Eliezer Berland

We have spoken much in the past about the love between our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, and the Mekubal, the great Rabbi Chaim Cohen shlit"a, known as "the Chalev" (the Milkman). In one instance, a Jew came to the Chalev having spoken disparagingly about our teacher, Rav Berland shlit"a, and as a result, his wife fell ill with a serious sickness. That Jew asked to be blessed by the Chalev, but his response was very stern: "Tell me, did you speak about Rav Leizer (Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a)? Did you write something against Rav Leizer, did you do something against him?" the Chalev immediately asked.

That Torah scholar was literally trembling from the intensity of the holy Chalev and finally asked: "What does this have to do with Rav Berland? Why are you mixing this with my wife's condition?"

The Chalev firmly repeated his questions: "Did you speak or did you not speak? Did you sign or did you not sign?"

"I spoke and I signed," he answered.

"Then there is no healing for your wife," the Chalev answered him and continued. "And I do not know if there is any tikkun (rectification) at all for what you did. Turn the world upside down, so that everyone who heard you and read what you spread might hear and change their opinion in favor of Rav Leizer." The Chalev continued, "And then perhaps, perhaps there will be some miracle. One does not speak about Rav Leizer, do you hear?"

This case is one of many definitive statements by the Chalev regarding the holiness and status of Rav Berland shlit"a, and now, the holy seraphim have had the opportunity to meet together. Today, the two met for the first time and spoke together for many long minutes at the Brit Milah of the great-grandson of our teacher, Rav Berland shlit"a, the son of Rabbi Tzfanya Sheinfeld, which was held at the Chalev's synagogue in Givatayim.

The attitude of the two was warm and loving, appearing as if two old acquaintances had met. Our teacher, Rav Berland shlit"a, blessed the Chalev with long life and health, and also that he should lead the people of Israel to see the face of Mashiach. The Chalev, for his part, kissed the hand of Rav Berland shlit"a and with holy emotion, repeatedly blessed Rav Berland as well, saying, "Together [we will lead the people of Israel toward King Mashiach]."

The name of the newborn being circumcised was called Chaim, after Rabbi Chaim Vital zt"l, the primary student of the holy Ari and the one who transmitted his Torah to the masses, whose yahrzeit falls today. The Rav shlit"a commanded his grandson to invite all the 36 tzaddikim who study the Kabbalah of the AriZal, thereby renewing the light of Kabbalah for the generation. Afterwards, our teacher, Rav Berland, said, "At every Brit of a holy child, a Holy Temple of fire can descend. This child is named Chaim, after Rabbi Chaim Vital; Rabbi Chaim Vital is here - Hashem is the G-d."

The full documentation of the meeting between the Chalev and Rav Berland shlit"a

Photo gallery from the Brit Milah ceremony