"And they believed in Hashem and in Moshe His servant" • Coverage of Shabbat

Presented before you is an extensive report of the prayers and lessons that took place on the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Beshalach - Shabbat Shirah, 10th of Shevat 5785, in the presence of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a:

Friday Night (Leil Shabbat Kodesh)

At 16:49—the time for candle lighting—The Rav shlit"a came out to the balcony of his home for the Mincha (afternoon prayer) of Erev Shabbat, dressed in majestic Shabbat garments. They sang 'Or Zarua LaTzaddik' (Light is sown for the Tzaddik) for 17 minutes. Afterward, The Rav shlit"a stood for the Mincha prayer. Following this, he recited the Seder HaHisksherus (the 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 the Sabbath) with all the psalms, from 'L'chu Neranena' to 'Mizmor L'David.' Afterward, he began the singing of 'Lecha Dodi,' which lasted exactly 32 minutes. At the conclusion of Kabbalat Shabbat, he recited 'K'gavna' (a Kabbalistic prayer from the Zohar) and the Maariv (evening) prayer of the holy night with songs and melodies. After the prayer, The Rav continued as he does every Shabbat with the Zemiros (liturgical songs) usually recited before Kiddush. Close to 19:12, The Rav shlit"a entered his holy home to the singing of 'Savanu MiTuvecha' (Satiate us with Your goodness) after a prayer service lasting nearly two and a half hours (2:23).

Shacharit (Morning Prayer)

The Rav shlit"a came out for the Shacharit prayer at 04:43. The Rav began with some of the verses of Tikkun Chatzot (the midnight rectification prayer) that are recited, specifically the sections customary for Shabbats and festivals. It is noteworthy that he extended the singing of 'Ki Nicham Hashem Zion' (For Hashem has comforted Zion) for about 6 minutes, a special and unusual length. Afterward, he continued with the morning Zemiros and Korbanos (readings regarding the Temple sacrifices). After a 10-minute break, he went down to the sanctuary of our Beis Medrash (study hall). While passing to his platform, the Rav paused and delivered a lesson to the young men for about 5 minutes. He then entered and ascended the Bimah (platform) and immediately began delivering a twenty-five-minute lesson. After the lesson, he began reciting 'Hodu L'Hashem Kir'u ViShmo' and the Pesukei D'Zimra (verses of praise) as he does every Shabbat, with melodies and great enthusiasm. The Rav extended the singing of 'Ki Chol Peh Lecha Yoda' (For every mouth shall thank You) for 3 minutes, slightly shorter than usual. The Rav shlit"a stood for the Shemoneh Esrei (the silent standing prayer) exactly at 07:25. Immediately after the Chazarat HaShatz (the cantor's repetition)—before the Torah reading—The Rav shlit"a spoke with those around him for about 5 minutes, while the singing of 'Yehei Ra'ava' (May it be the Will) took place during the opening of the Ark.

Kriyat HaTorah (Torah Reading)

After the Hagbah (lifting of the Torah), the Rav began the Torah reading for Parshat Beshalach - Shirah, during which many people celebrating life events or observing Yahrtzeits (anniversary of a passing) were called up. Additionally, as is his holy custom, The Rav shlit"a called up guests from out of town and veteran students. For the Aliyah (Torah honor) of Shirat HaYam (the Song of the Sea), The Rav shlit"a himself was honored, and a profound silence fell as he sang this song to Hashem with beautiful melody. Likewise, The Rav shlit"a read the Haftarah (prophetic portion) of "And Deborah Sang" from Judges 5. The Torah reading of Shirat HaYam together with the Haftarah of Deborah's Song was done with great length, lasting a full hour.

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 5 minutes. At the end, he recited Kaddish and approached the Musaf (additional) prayer at 09:15. After the Chazarat HaShatz, he immediately made Kiddush over the cup for Kiddusha Rabba (the daytime Shabbat Kiddush) and delivered a lesson for about 5 minutes.

At 09:28, he entered his holy home after exactly four hours and 45 minutes, during which we were privileged to experience Shacharit, the Torah reading, Musaf, and Kiddusha Rabba together with The Rav shlit"a.

Mincha (Afternoon Prayer)

At 17:20, The Rav shlit"a entered for the Mincha prayer of the Holy Shabbat on the balcony of his home, starting with the recitation of Kaddish. He began saying 'Brich Shmeih' and singing 'Yehei Ra'ava' for 10 minutes. Afterward, the Torah was read—Parshat Yitro—with three people called up. Immediately following this, he stood for the Shemoneh Esrei of the Shabbat Mincha.

Re'u d'Re'uin (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 Seudah Shlishit (third meal) at his place on the balcony at 17:45. As is his holy custom, after the first Kazayit (required amount of bread), he began the third meal Zemiros for about 20 minutes. Here came the great length of the Shabbat; at the conclusion of the Zemiros, he extended the singing of 'Yah Ribbon' (G-d, Master of the world) for about 37 minutes. Afterward, he continued with the singing of 'Koh Amar Hashem Matza Chen BaMidbar' (Thus says Hashem, they found grace in the desert) for 7 minutes, and then extended the singing of 'Ad Heina Azarunu Rachamecha' (Until now Your mercies have helped us) for about 15 minutes. At the end of the singing, the Rav began 'Tzur Mishelo Achalnu,' 'Shir HaMa'alot,' and led the Zimun (invitation to Grace After Meals) over the cup.

Maariv and Havdalah

At 19:10, The Rav shlit"a began the singing of 'Lamnatzeach BiNeginot' for 27 minutes. Afterward, he continued with the Maariv prayer of Motzaei Shabbat (Saturday night) with melodies of flaming fire. After the Shemoneh Esrei, during the recitation of 'V'yehi Noam,' The Rav shlit"a sang 'Baruch Hu Elokeinu SheBeranu Lichvodo' (Blessed is our G-d who created us for His glory) for 5 minutes. Likewise, he extended the singing of 'Hu Yiftach Libenu BeTorato' (May He open our hearts to His Torah) for about 10 minutes. At the end of the prayer, he performed Havdalah (the separation ceremony) over the cup with the singing of 'LaYehudim' (For the Jews there was light).

Motzaei Yom Menucha (Saturday Night)

After Havdalah, the Rav washed his hands for Melaveh Malkah (the meal accompanying the Queen)—which is the meal of David the King, the Mashiach. The Rav shlit"a sang all the Melaveh Malkah Zemiros together with the entire public, which Rebbe Nachman so strongly encouraged to sing. Before the song 'Eliyahu HaNavi,' he delivered a lesson for about 10 minutes from Chayei Moharan (The Life of Rebbe Nachman). After the lesson, he continued the Zemiros of 'Eliyahu HaNavi' and 'Ribbon Kol HaOlamim.' After the Zemiros, The Rav led the Zimun over the cup and delivered an additional lesson for about a minute. He entered his holy home at 21:08. This followed a duration of nearly four hours (3:48) that we were privileged to be with him continuously from the Mincha prayer, through the three meals, Maariv, and Melaveh Malkah.

In total for the entire Shabbat—about eleven hours (10:56) during which we were privileged to take shelter in the holy shade of the Rav on the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Beshalach - Shabbat Shirah, 10th of Shevat 5785.