For I Am Holy • Coverage of Shabbat Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim in the Presence

Below is an extensive report of the prayers and lessons that took place on the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, 12th of Iyar 5785, in the presence of the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days):

Friday Night (Leil Shabbat Kodesh)

At 18:33, earlier than usual, the Rav shlit"a went out to the balcony of his home for the Mincha (afternoon prayer) of the eve of the glorious Shabbat, dressed in Shabbat garments. They sang "Ohr Zarua LaTzaddik" (Light is sown for the righteous) for 17 minutes. Afterward, the Rav shlit"a stood for the Mincha prayer. At the conclusion of Mincha, he recited the Seder HaHisksherus (order of spiritual connection to the Tzaddik) word by word, with the entire congregation repeating after him. Following this, the Rav began Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming the Sabbath) with all the psalms, from "Lechu Neranena" to "Mizmor L'David." Afterward, he began the singing of "Lecha Dodi," which was extended this Shabbat for half an hour. At the conclusion of Kabbalat Shabbat, as is done every Shabbat, they held an "Aufruf for Rabbi Shimon..." (a celebratory gathering) following the practice of the holy Ariz"l, who established the custom of singing the songs of Meron on the Shabbat preceding the holy Hiloula (anniversary of passing). The Rav shlit"a sang "Bar Yochai," "Va'amartem Koh LeChai," and "Amar Rabbi Akiva" for 12 minutes.

Afterward, he recited "K'gavna" (a Kabbalistic prayer) and the Maariv (evening) prayer of Friday night with singing and melodies. At the conclusion of Maariv, the Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of the Omer) for the night of Yesod shebeNetzach (Foundation within Victory) lasted about 20 minutes. After the prayer, the Rav continued the conclusion of the service as he does every Shabbat with the Zemirot (songs) for Friday night; he extended the singing of "Shalom Aleichem" for 10 minutes. The prayer service concluded at 21:27, after nearly two hours and fifty-five minutes.

Shacharit (Morning Prayer)

The Rav shlit"a came out for the Shacharit prayer at 04:33. The Rav began with some of the verses of Tikkun Chatzot (Midnight Lament) that are recited, specifically the sections customary to say on Shabbat and festivals. Afterward, he recited the morning Zemirot and Korbanot (sacrificial readings) in order. At 5:25, he began the recitation of "Hodu L'Hashem Kir'u BiShmo" and Pseukei D'Zimra (verses of praise) as every Shabbat, with melodies and enthusiasm. At 05:55, he recited Baruch She'amar. During the singing of "Ki Chol Peh Lecha Yodeh," he extended the prayer for about 8 minutes. The Rav shlit"a stood for the Shemoneh Esrei (silent prayer) at 06:45.

Kriat HaTorah (Torah Reading)

After the conclusion of the Chazzan's repetition, the Song of the Day was recited, and they sang "Yehi Ratzon" for several minutes before taking out the Torah scroll. The Rav shlit"a began the Torah reading for Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim. One after another, those celebrating special occasions and those observing Yahrtzeits (anniversary of a relative's passing) were called up, having merited to stand by the Rav shlit"a's side during the prayer. After the conclusion of the reading of Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, the Bar Mitzvah boy Naftali ben Yaniv Yaakov read the Haftarah (prophetic portion). The Torah reading and the Haftarah together lasted exactly half an hour.

Musaf Prayer and Kiddusha Rabba

At the conclusion of the Haftarah reading, the Rav shlit"a began singing "Zera Chaya VeKayama" (Living and enduring offspring) for about 3 minutes, as well as the recitation of Av HaRachamim (Father of Mercy). Afterward, at 08:27, he approached the Musaf prayer. After the Chazzan's repetition, he concluded the prayer in its order, finishing with the Tikkun HaKlali (The General Rectification). He then recited Kiddush over a cup of wine for Kiddusha Rabba and delivered a lesson for about 7 minutes.

At 08:23, he entered his holy home after exactly three hours and 50 minutes in which we merited the Shacharit prayer, Torah reading, Musaf, and Kiddusha Rabba together with the Rav shlit"a.

Mincha Prayer

At 18:52, the Rav shlit"a entered for the Shabbat Mincha prayer on the balcony of his home and began with the singing of "Ohr Zarua LaTzaddik" for 12 minutes. "Yeha Re'ava" lasted about 5 minutes, at the conclusion of which he read from the Torah for Parshat Emor—three people were 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, while at 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 portion of bread), he began the Zemirot of the third meal for about 22 minutes. At the conclusion of the Zemirot, he extended the singing of "Yah Ribbon" (G-d, Master of the world) for 46 minutes. Afterward, the singing of "Koh Amar Hashem Matza Chen BaMidbar" (Thus says Hashem, they found grace in the desert) lasted for 3 minutes, followed by the singing of "Koh Amar Hashem Zacharti Lach Chesed Neuraich" (I remember the kindness of your youth) for 3 minutes, and the singing of "Ad Heina" (Until now) for 12 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.

Maariv and Havdalah

At 20:55, immediately after Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals), the Rav shlit"a began the singing of "Lamnatzeach BiNginot" once, and then continued with the Maariv prayer for the conclusion of Shabbat with melodies like a flaming fire. After the Shemoneh Esrei, during the recitation of "Vayehi Noam," the Rav shlit"a extended the singing of "Baruch Hu Elokeinu SheBeranu Lichvodo" (Blessed is our G-d who created us for His glory) and the singing of "Hu Yiftach Libenu BeTorato" (He will open our hearts to His Torah) for about 20 minutes. Afterward, the Sefirat HaOmer for the night of Malchut shebeNetzach (Kingship within Victory) lasted about twenty-five minutes. After Sefirat HaOmer, the Rav shlit"a continued to the end of the prayer and performed Havdalah (the separation ceremony) over a cup of wine with the singing of "Layehudim" (For the Jews there was light...).

At the Conclusion of the Day of Rest

After Havdalah, the Rav washed his hands for Melaveh Malkah (the "Escorting the Queen" meal)—this is the meal of David Malka Meshicha (David the King Messiah). The Rav shlit"a sang all the Zemirot for Melaveh Malkah together with the entire congregation. Before the song "Eliyahu HaNavi," he delivered a lesson for about 20 minutes from the book Chayei Moharan (The Life of Rebbe Nachman). After the lesson, he continued the Zemirot "Eliyahu HaNavi" and "Ribon Kol HaOlamim," and afterward, the Rav led the Zimun over a cup of wine. At the conclusion of Birkat HaMazon, the Rav recited the blessing "Al HaGefen" and delivered another lesson for about a minute. At 22:40, he entered his holy home. This followed a duration of three hours and 50 minutes that we merited to be together with him continuously from the Mincha prayer, through the three meals, Maariv, and Melaveh Malkah.

In total, throughout the entire Shabbat, we merited to take refuge in the holy shadow of the Rav for 10 hours and 35 minutes during the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, 12th of Iyar 5785.