The giant and emotional prayer gathering at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hevron with our Rebbe, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit”a – Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul 5782

Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, the month of mercy and forgiveness, dozens of buses from all over Israel bring thousands of men, women, and children to the gateway of souls, the entrance to the Garden of Eden – Me’arat HaMachpelah.

Immediately with the completion of the Maariv prayer in Jerusalem, with masses of people and the holy melodies of our Rebbe Rav Berland shlit”a and the holy community of Shuvu Banim, everyone left in the direction of Me’arat HaMachpelah in Hevron for the prayer gathering. According to his holy custom, Rav Aharon Berkowitz shlit”a began with the saying of 7 Tikkun HaKlalis with the large community that had begun to gather in front of the seventh step at Me’arat HaMachpelah. The community, which waited for the arrival of Rav Berland shlit”a, prepared their hearts with an emotional public prayer, while between chapters of Tehilim, Rav Berkowitz added words of chizzuk and arousal. Immediately with the completion of the 7 Tikkun Klalis, Rav Berland shlit”a arrived at the grave and progressed towards the place that was prepared for him in front of the seventh step. With no pause or additional preparation, the Rav shlit”a continued with the saying of another 7 Tikkun Klalis with self-sacrifice and great arousal. From the holy scenes, it’s possible to receive a bit of the atmosphere of splendor and spiritual elevation which visited all those who came to the important gathering. At the conclusion of the saying of the Tikkun Klalis with the community and with melody, the Rav shlit”a gave over his holy words, and in the end announced, “Anyone who came to the gathering, it’s considered as if he had been at the giving of the Torah.” As with all prayer gatherings for the sweetening of judgments and for the drawing down of salvation for the Jewish people, and for opening the way for the holy Rosh Hashanah gathering in Uman, immediately at the conclusion of the Rav’s words of Torah, the musical band began to play. The entire holy community began to dance, as Rabbeinu said, “This shall be the reward (ekev=heel) when you listen” – that through lifting one’s heels in dance, we sweeting the judgments.