Each Man by His Camp • Coverage of Shabbat Parshat Bamidbar in the Presence of

Before you is an extensive report of the prayers and lessons that took place on the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Bamidbar - 4th of Sivan 5785 (2025) in the presence of the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days):

Friday Night - The Eve of the Holy Shabbat

At 18:57, our teacher the Rav shlit"a (may he live long and good days) went out to the balcony of his home for the Mincha (afternoon prayer) of Erev Shabbat (Friday afternoon), dressed in majestic Shabbat garments. They sang 'Or Zarua LaTzaddik' (Light is sown for the righteous) for 25 minutes. Afterward, the Rav shlit"a stood for the Mincha prayer. At the conclusion of the Mincha of Erev Shabbat, he recited the Seder HaHisksherus (the order of spiritual connection to the Tzaddik) word for word, with the entire congregation repeating after him. Following this, the Rav began Kabbalat Shabbat (the service welcoming the Shabbat) with all the psalms, from 'Lechu Neranena' until 'Mizmor L'David'. He then began the singing of 'Lecha Dodi,' which was extended this Shabbat for a duration of 40 minutes. Afterward, he recited 'Kegavna' (a Kabbalistic prayer describing the spiritual unification of Shabbat) and the Maariv (evening) prayer of Friday night with singing and melodies. At the end of Maariv, the Sefirat HaOmer (counting of the Omer) for the attribute of 'Yesod ShebeMalchus' (Foundation within Sovereignty) took approximately 20 minutes. After the prayer, the Rav continued the conclusion of the service as he does every Shabbat with the Zemiros (traditional songs) for Friday night. The prayer concluded at 21:58, after three hours (3:01).

Shacharis - The Morning Prayer

For the Shacharis prayer, the Rav shlit"a came out at 04:53. Immediately upon exiting, he wrapped himself in a Tallis (prayer shawl). He then began part of the verses of Tikkun Chatzos (the Midnight Lament) that are recited, specifically the sections customary to say on Shabbat and festivals. This was followed by the morning Zemiros and the Korbanos (readings regarding the Temple sacrifices) in their proper order. At exactly 5:30, he began the recitation of 'Hodu LaHashem Kir'u ViShmo' and the Pesukei D'Zimra (verses of praise) as every Shabbat, with melodies and great fervor. During the singing of 'HaNechemadim MiZahav' (more desirable than gold), he extended the song for about 5 minutes. Baruch She'amar was reached at 06:17. During the singing of 'Ki Chol Peh Lecha Yodeh' (for every mouth shall thank You), he extended for about 10 minutes. The Rav shlit"a stood for the Shemoneh Esrei (the silent standing prayer) at 07:00.

Kriat HaTorah - The Torah Reading

After the conclusion of the Chazarat HaShatz (the cantor's repetition), the Shir Shel Yom (daily psalm) was recited, and they sang 'Yehei Ra'ava' (May it be the Will—a prayer before opening the Ark) for several minutes, and the Torah scroll was removed. The Rav shlit"a began the Torah reading for Parshat Bamidbar. One after another, those celebrating life events and those observing Yahrtzeits (anniversaries of passing) were called up, having merited to stand by the side of the Rav shlit"a during the prayer. After the conclusion of the reading, a Bar Mitzvah boy read the Haftarah (the selection from the Prophets). The Torah reading and the Haftarah together lasted about 45 minutes.

Musaf Prayer and Kiddusha Rabba

At the conclusion of the Haftarah reading, the Rav shlit"a began the singing of 'Zera Chaya VeKayama' (a prayer for viable offspring) for about 8 minutes, followed by Av HaRachamim. Afterward, close to 08:30, he approached the Musaf (additional) prayer. After the Chazarat HaShatz, he finished the prayer in its order, concluding with the Tikkun HaKlali (The General Rectification). He then recited Kiddush over the cup for Kiddusha Rabba (the Shabbat morning Kiddush) and delivered a lesson for about 10 minutes.

At 09:02, he entered his holy home after more than four hours (4:11) in which we merited the Shacharis prayer, Torah reading, Musaf, and a lesson during Kiddusha Rabba together with the Rav shlit"a.

Mincha - The Afternoon Prayer

At 19:05, the Rav shlit"a entered the balcony of his home for the Mincha prayer of the Holy Shabbat and began the singing of 'Or Zarua LaTzaddik' for 20 minutes. Afterward, he recited Kaddish, and the Ark was opened during the singing of 'Yehei Ra'ava' for about 5 minutes, at the conclusion of which he read from the Torah—Parshat Behaalotecha—for three people called to the Torah. 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 at the time of sunset, while in his place on the balcony, the Rav shlit"a washed his hands for the Seudah Shlishit (third meal) before sunset. As is his holy custom, with the first 'kezayit' (olive-sized piece of bread), he began the Zemiros of the third meal for about 22 minutes. At the end of the Zemiros, he extended the singing of 'Yah Ribbon' (G-d, Master of the world) with a wonderful brevity of 8 minutes. Afterward, he spoke a few words to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren standing around him for about two minutes, and then immediately continued to the singing of 'Koh Amar Hashem Matza Chen BaMidbar' (Thus says Hashem, they found grace in the desert) for 2 minutes, as well as the singing of 'Koh Amar Hashem Zacharti Lach Chesed Ne'uraich' (Thus says Hashem, I remembered for you the kindness of your youth) for 6 minutes, and the song 'Ad Heina' (Until now Your mercies have helped us) for 7 minutes. At the conclusion of the singing, the Rav began 'Tzur Mishelo Achalnu' and led the Zimun (invitation to Grace After Meals) over a cup of wine. It is noteworthy that the entire third meal lasted exactly 49 minutes—perhaps a hint to the final counting of the Omer!

Maariv and Havdalah

At 20:38, immediately after the Grace After Meals, the Rav shlit"a began the singing of 'Lamnatzeach BiNeginos' with a wonderful length of 38 minutes, and afterward continued with the Maariv prayer for the departure of Shabbat with melodies like a flaming fire. After the Shemoneh Esrei, as is customary on the departure of Shabbat that falls during a week of a festival (Shavuot), 'Vayehi Noam' is not recited; the Rav shlit"a skipped it and finished the Maariv prayer in its order.

Here we reached the peak of the Shabbat, if one can call it that—forty-nine days of immense light, forty-nine levels to reach the Fiftieth Gate. The occasion of the final counting of the Omer together with the Rav shlit"a is something that, it should be noted, we have not merited several times in recent years. The preparation was palpable as the Rav shlit"a sang 'Hineni Muchan U'Mezuman' (Behold I am ready and prepared) for 10 minutes. Afterward, the Rav shlit"a said that now is the final counting, "Malchus shebeMalchus" (Sovereignty within Sovereignty). A silence fell as the Rav shlit"a recited the blessing over the Omer for the final time this year, and then: "Today is forty-nine days, which are seven weeks of the Omer." The echoes of the Sefirat HaOmer, said with immense emotion, were heard from afar. After the counting, he continued to extend the singing of 'Lamnatzeach' for half an hour, 'Ana B'Koach' word for word with a melody and tune, and the 'Ribono Shel Olam' prayer recited after the counting.

Motzaei Yom Menucha - Melaveh Malkah

At the conclusion of the final Sefirat HaOmer, the Rav shlit"a performed Havdalah (the ceremony marking the end of Shabbat) over the cup with the singing of 'Layehudim' (The Jews had light and joy). After Havdalah, the Rav washed his hands for Melaveh Malkah—this is the meal of David the King, the Mashiach. The Rav shlit"a sang all the Zemiros for Melaveh Malkah together with the entire public. Before the song 'Eliyahu HaNavi,' he delivered a lesson for about 15 minutes from the book Chayei Moharan (The Life of Rebbe Nachman). After the lesson, he continued the Zemiros 'Eliyahu HaNavi' and 'Ribon Kol HaOlamim.' After the songs, the Rav led the Zimun over the cup. At the conclusion of the Grace After Meals, the Rav recited the blessing 'Al HaGafen' and delivered another lesson for about a minute. At 23:35, he entered his holy home. This followed a duration of about four and a half hours in which we merited to be with him continuously from the Mincha prayer, through the three meals, Maariv, and Melaveh Malkah.

In total, the entire Shabbat consisted of 11 hours and 38 minutes that we merited to take refuge in his holy shadow on the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Bamidbar, 4th of Sivan 5785.