"And I Will Redeem You With an Outstretched Arm and With Great Judgments" •

Before you is an extensive coverage of the prayers and lessons that took place on the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Va'era - 25 Teves 5785, in the presence of the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a:

Friday Night (Leil Shabbat Kodesh)

After an entire week in which we did not merit to see the holy countenance, at 4:20 PM, about half an hour before the start of Shabbat, the Rav shlit"a came out to the balcony of his home for the Mincha (afternoon prayer) of Erev Shabbat, adorned in Shabbat garments. They sang "Or Zarua LaTzaddik" (Light is sown for the Tzaddik) for 15 minutes. Afterward, the Rav shlit"a stood for the Mincha prayer. Following this, he recited the Seder HaHisksherus (order of connecting to the Tzaddik) word for word, with the entire congregation repeating after him. Then, the Rav began Kabbalat Shabbat (the service welcoming Shabbat) with all the psalms, from "Lechu Neranena" to "Mizmor L'David." Already at 4:57 PM, about fifteen minutes before sunset, he began the singing of "Lecha Dodi," which lasted exactly half an hour. After the conclusion of Kabbalat Shabbat, because his voice had weakened to the point that he could not be heard at all, he instructed his grandson to say Barechu. His grandson, Rabbi David Burstein, approached to lead the Maariv (evening prayer) of Friday night much earlier than usual—already at 5:30 PM, about two minutes after the time for Maariv. Afterward, the Rav went for a break of about ten minutes. After the Maariv prayer of Friday night, the Rav continued the conclusion of the prayer as he does every Shabbat, with the Zemiros (songs) customarily said before Kiddush. At 6:22 PM, the Rav shlit"a entered his holy home to the singing of "Savianu MiTuvecha" (Satisfy us from Your goodness) after a prayer service of about two hours.

Shacharis (Morning Prayer)

The Rav shlit"a came out for the Shacharis prayer at 4:31 AM. The Rav began with some of the verses of Tikkun Chatzos (Midnight Rectification) that are recited, specifically the sections customarily said on Shabbat and Festivals. This was followed by the morning Zemiros and Korbanos (sacrificial readings). After a 10-minute break, he went down to the sanctuary of our Beis Medrash (study hall), immediately entered, ascended the Bimah (platform), and began reciting "Hodu L'Hashem Kiru BiShmo" and Pseukei D'Zimra (verses of praise) as he does every Shabbat, with melodies and great enthusiasm. Except for the song "Ki Chol Peh Lecha Yodeh," which he extended for about 18 minutes, there was no additional lengthening. The Rav shlit"a stood for the Shemoneh Esrei (silent prayer) exactly ten minutes after Netz HaChamah (sunrise) at 6:45 AM. Immediately after the Chazzan's repetition—before the Torah reading—the Rav shlit"a spoke with those around him for about 5 minutes, during the singing of "Yeha Ra'ava Kadamach" (May it be the will before You) at the opening of the Ark.

Krias HaTorah (Torah Reading)

After the Hagbah (lifting of the Torah), the Rav began the Torah reading for Parshat Va'era, during which many people celebrating special occasions and those observing Yahrtzeits (anniversary of passing) were called up. Additionally, as is his holy custom, the Rav shlit"a calls up guests from out of town and veteran students. The Haftarah (prophetic reading) of "When I gather the Children of Israel" in Ezekiel was read by the Bar Mitzvah boy, Harel Kinzi, son of Rabbi Sagi Kinzi. The Torah reading together with the Haftarah lasted about 45 minutes. It should be noted that due to the weakness of his voice, even those standing very close could barely hear the Torah reading. This is the place to arouse the public to continue praying for our teacher Rabbi Eliezer ben Ettia Berland shlit"a for a Refuah Sheleimah (complete healing), and that he should continue to lead us over his kingdom in firm health and great light until the coming of Mashiach Tzidkenu and our King at our head, Amen, may it be His will!

Musaf and Kiddusha Rabba

At the conclusion of the Haftarah reading, the Rav shlit"a began the singing of "Zera Chaya V'Kayama" (Living and enduring offspring) for about 7 minutes. Afterward, during the Birkat HaChodesh (blessing of the new month), the Rav spoke regarding the Molad (new moon) which will take place this coming Wednesday. He sang "Yechadeshehu" (May He renew it) as he has in recent months, with the Seudah Shlishis (third meal) melody customary in Breslov. At the conclusion, he said "Yehalelu," and after returning the Torah scroll to the Ark, he sang "Ki Lekach Tov" and approached the Musaf (additional prayer) at 8:05 AM. After the Chazzan's repetition, he finished the prayer until after "Ana'im Zemiros." Afterward, he made Kiddush over the cup for Kiddusha Rabba (morning Kiddush) and delivered a lesson of about two minutes in which he spoke of various matters. The Rav mentioned in the lesson the matter of Shmiras Einayim (guarding the eyes), through which one merits the connection of Rachel and Leah in the secret of "Migdal Eder," which has the numerical value (Gematria) of "Rachel-Leah," and through this, one subdues the "Arad" (spiritual impurity/wild ass). At 8:21 AM, he entered his holy home after nearly four hours during which we merited Shacharis, Torah reading, Musaf, and Kiddusha Rabba together with the Rav shlit"a.

Mincha (Afternoon Prayer)

At 4:55 PM, the Rav shlit"a entered for the Mincha prayer of the Holy Shabbat on the balcony of his home with the recitation of Kaddish, and began saying "Berich Shmeih" and singing "Yeha Ra'ava" for 10 minutes. Afterward, the Torah was read for Parshat Va'era with three people called up. Immediately following this, he stood for the Shemoneh Esrei of the Shabbat Mincha.

Rava D'Ravin (The Third Meal)

At the conclusion of the Shabbat Mincha prayer, which lasted about twenty minutes, the Rav shlit"a washed his hands for the Third Meal (Seudah Shlishis) at 17:20 on his place on the balcony. As is his holy custom, he began with the first Kezayit (measure of bread) and started the Third Meal Zemiros for about twenty minutes. Following them, he sang "Yah Ribbon" for about 35 minutes. Afterward, he continued with the singing of "Koh Amar Hashem Matza Chen BaMidbar" (Thus says Hashem, they found grace in the wilderness) for 4 minutes, and immediately transitioned to the singing of "Koh Amar Zacharti Lach Chesed Neurayich" (Thus says Hashem, I remembered for you the kindness of your youth) for 2 minutes. After that, he lengthened the singing of "Ad Henah Azarunu Rachamecha" (Until now Your mercies have helped us) for about 20 minutes. At the conclusion of the singing, the Rav began "Tzur Mishelo Achalnu," "Shir HaMa'alos," and led the Zimun (invitation to Grace after Meals) over a cup of wine.

Maariv and Havdalah

At 6:45 PM, the Rav shlit"a began the singing of "Lamnatzeach BiNeginos" for about half an hour. Afterward, he continued with the Maariv prayer of the conclusion of Shabbat with melodies of blazing fire. After the Shemoneh Esrei and the recitation of "Vihi Noam," the Rav shlit"a sang "Baruch Hu Elokeinu SheBeranu Lichvodo" (Blessed is He, our G-d, Who created us for His glory) and "Hu Yiftach Libenu BeTorato" (He will open our hearts to His Torah) for about 22 minutes. At the conclusion of the prayer, he performed Havdalah over the cup with the singing of "LaYehudim" (The Jews had light and joy).

The Conclusion of the Day of Rest (Motzaei Shabbat)

After Havdalah, the Rav washed his hands for Melaveh Malkah (the meal escorting the Shabbat Queen)—this is the meal of David the King Mashiach. The Rav shlit"a sang together with the entire public all the Zemiros for Melaveh Malkah, which our holy Rebbe (Rebbe Nachman) so greatly encouraged us to sing. Before the song "Eliyahu HaNavi," he delivered a lesson for about 7 minutes from the book Chayei Moharan. After the lesson, he continued the Zemiros of "Eliyahu HaNavi" and "Ribon Kol HaOlamim." After the songs, the Rav led the Zimun over the cup with Sheva Brachos (seven blessings for a wedding) and delivered another lesson for about a minute. He entered his holy home at 8:45 PM, after an extended period of nearly four hours during which we merited to be with him continuously from the Mincha prayer, the Third Meal, Maariv, and Melaveh Malkah. Total for the entire Shabbat—9 hours and forty-two minutes, during which we merited to take refuge in the holy shadow on the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Va'era, 25 Teves 5785.