Coverage of Shabbat Parshat Re'eh in the Presence of the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

A wonderful Shabbat full of vitality and joy passed this last Shabbat, Parshat Re'eh, with the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, during which the Rav stayed with the public for about 14 sublime and special hours.

On Friday night, the Rav entered the prayer hall at 7:07 PM for the Mincha (afternoon) prayer. He stood by the shtender (lectern) and prayed the Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming Shabbat) service and Lecha Dodi with full vitality and with the well-known melody of "Shamor V'Zachor" and "Likrat Shabbat," as well as all the niggunim (spiritual melodies) that the Rav shlit"a is accustomed to singing. The prayer lasted 52 minutes.

At the conclusion of the prayer, the Rav shlit"a sang the niggunim (melodies) of Shalom Aleichem, Ribon Kol HaOlamim, Eshet Chayil in the well-known Breslov melody, Kah Echsof, and others, according to his holy custom.

The Rav delivered two short lessons: one between Kabbalat Shabbat and the Maariv (evening) prayer, and the second after the prayer. In these lessons, the Rav encouraged waking up early in the morning and spoke regarding Parshat Ekev, which is followed by Parshat Re'eh, and the necessity of Shmirat Einayim (guarding one's eyes).

After two and a half hours of prayer, at 9:37 PM, the Rav returned to his home.

In the morning, the Rav entered for prayer at 4:10 AM. After Birkhot HaShachar (morning blessings), a lesson on the Daf Yomi (daily page of Talmud) was held for an hour and five minutes until 5:17 AM. The Rav expanded upon and explained the lesson at length and read the portion of the Metzora from the Chumash (Pentateuch). The Rav spoke about the greatness of living in the city of Jerusalem and how even the Rambam (Maimonides), who lived in Egypt, desired to live in the Land of Israel; he also spoke about the matter of tzedakah (charity) for the poor of the Land of Israel.

As every Shabbat, the prayer was conducted with great devekut (attachment to God) with all the niggunim (melodies), as he encouraged the singing and the children, with each song lasting several minutes. During the Torah reading, the Bar Mitzvah boy from the Adler family was called up.

At the conclusion of the long Torah reading and the singing of "Zera Chaya V'Kayama" (a prayer for viable offspring) and "Av HaRachamim" with great vitality, they prayed Musaf (the additional service), at the end of which the Rav shlit"a delivered a short lesson. At 10:00 AM, the Rav returned to his holy home. In total, we merited to be with the Rav during the morning prayers for nearly 6 hours, which also included the Hallel (psalms of praise) for Rosh Chodesh (the New Month) with all the songs and zemirot (hymns).

At 7:10 PM, the Rav shlit"a entered for the Mincha (afternoon) prayer with melodies and songs, the Torah reading, Seudah Shlishit (the third meal), and the singing of "Bnei Heichala" and "Kah Ribon" for a long hour with immense enthusiasm.

After the Maariv (evening) prayer, a Melaveh Malkah (festive meal following Shabbat) was held until 2:00 AM.