"In the Beginning He Created" • A Review of Shabbat Parshat Bereishit in the

Presented before you is an extensive review of the prayers and lessons that took place on the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Bereishit, 26th of Tishrei 5786, in the presence of the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days):

The Night of the Holy Shabbat

At 18:04, The Rav shlit"a went out to the balcony of his home for the Mincha (afternoon prayer) of Erev Shabbat, looking majestic in his Shabbat garments. They sang "Or Zarua LaTzaddik" (Light is sown for the righteous) for 15 minutes. Afterward, The Rav shlit"a said Ashrei and stood for the Mincha prayer. At the conclusion of the Erev Shabbat Mincha, 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 Shabbat) with all the psalms, from "Lekhu Neranena" until "Mizmor L'David." He then began the singing of "Lekha Dodi," which lasted approximately 35 minutes. Afterward, he recited "Kigavna" (a Kabbalistic prayer) and the Maariv (evening) prayer of Shabbat night with singing and melodies. At the end of Maariv, The Rav continued with the Zemirot (songs) for Shabbat night; the prayer concluded at 20:20 after two hours and fifteen minutes.

The Shacharit Prayer

The Rav shlit"a came out for the Shacharit (morning) prayer at 04:50. Immediately upon his arrival, he recited the Birkot HaShachar (morning blessings) and began part of the verses of Tikkun Chatzot (the midnight lamentation) that are customarily said on Shabbat and festivals. The morning Zemirot and Korbanot (sacrificial readings) followed their usual order. At 05:35, he began the recitation of "Hodu L'Hashem Kiru BiShmo" and the Pesukei D'Zimra (verses of praise) as he does every Shabbat, with melodies and great fervor. Before "Baruch She'amar" at 06:10, The Rav recited the blessing over the Tallit (prayer shawl). During the singing of "Ki Chol Peh L'cha Yodeh" (For every mouth shall thank You), he extended the singing for about 7 minutes. The Rav shlit"a stood for the Shemoneh Esrei (the standing prayer) at the moment of Netz HaChama (sunrise) at 07:00, after more than two hours of the Shacharit prayer.

The Torah Reading

After the conclusion of the Chazzan's repetition, the Song of the Day, and the opening of the Ark, they sang "Yehei Ra'ava" (May it be the Will) for several minutes and brought out the Torah scroll. The Rav shlit"a began the Torah reading for Parshat "Bereishit"—a new beginning! One after another, those celebrating special occasions 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 Torah reading, a Bar Mitzvah boy read the Haftarah (prophetic portion); the Torah reading and the Haftarah together lasted for a long hour.

The Musaf Prayer and Kiddusha Rabba

At the conclusion of the Haftarah reading, The Rav shlit"a began singing "Zera Chaya V'Kayama" (Living and enduring offspring) for about ten minutes, during which The Rav shlit"a took a brief break. Afterward, he continued to Birkat HaChodesh (the blessing of the new month) and announced that everyone should recite the Tikkun HaKlali (the General Rectification) at the time of the Molad (the birth of the new moon). Close to 08:40, he approached the Musaf (additional) prayer. After the Chazzan's repetition, he concluded the prayer in its order. Due to his weakness, after "Barchu," he recited Kiddush over the cup for Kiddusha Rabba (the daytime Shabbat meal) and delivered a lesson for about 5 minutes.

At 08:55, he entered his holy home after more than four hours (04:05) that we merited to experience the Shacharit prayer, Torah reading, Musaf, and the lesson at Kiddusha Rabba together with The Rav shlit"a.

The Mincha Prayer

At 18:21, 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 fifteen minutes. Afterward, he said Kaddish, and they opened the Ark to the singing of "Yehei Ra'ava" for approximately 7 additional minutes. At their conclusion, The Rav shlit"a read from the Torah—Parshat Noach—for three people called to the Torah. Afterward, the recitation of "Halleluyah" and "Ki Lekach Tov" took place, and they stood for the Shemoneh Esrei of the Shabbat Mincha.

Rava D'Ravin (The Third Meal)

At the conclusion of the Shabbat Mincha prayer at 18:55, while in his place on the balcony, The Rav shlit"a performed Netilat Yadayim (ritual hand washing) for the three meals (specifically the third meal). As is his holy custom, with the first Kazayit (olive-sized portion of bread), he began the Zemirot (songs) of the third meal for about 22 minutes. At the conclusion of the Zemirot, he extended the singing of "Yah Ribon" (G-d, Master of the world) for about a quarter of an hour. Afterward, he sang "Koh Amar Hashem Matza Chen BaMidbar" (Thus says Hashem: He found grace in the wilderness) for 5 minutes, and he extended the singing of "Koh Amar Hashem Zacharti Lach Chesed Neurayich" (Thus says Hashem: I remembered for you the kindness of your youth) for 10 minutes. He then sang "Ad Heina" (Until now Your mercies have helped us) for 12 minutes. At the conclusion of the singing, The Rav began "Tzur Mishelo Achalnu" and led the Zimmun (invitation to grace) over a cup of wine.

Maariv and Havdalah

At 20:00, immediately after Birkat HaMazon (Grace after meals), The Rav shlit"a began the singing of "Lamnatzeach BiNginot" and extended it for about 25 minutes. Afterward, he continued with the Maariv prayer of Motzaei Shabbat (Saturday night) with melodies of fiery passion. After the Shemoneh Esrei, he said the order of "Vayehi Noam," in which he extended the singing of "Baruch Hu" and "Hu Yiftach" for about 5 minutes. He then finished the Maariv prayer in its order and performed Havdalah (the ceremony marking the end of Shabbat) over the cup with the singing of "LaYehudim" (The Jews had light and joy).

On the Night Following the Day of Rest

After Havdalah, The Rav performed Netilat Yadayim for Melaveh Malkah (the meal accompanying the departing Shabbat Queen)—this is the meal of David Malka Meshicha (King David the Messiah). The Rav shlit"a sang all the Zemirot for Melaveh Malkah together with the entire public. Before the song "Eliyahu HaNavi," he delivered a lesson for about 20 minutes from Sichot HaRan (the conversations of Rebbe Nachman), as is the custom. After the lesson, he continued the Zemirot of "Eliyahu HaNavi" and "Ribon Kol HaOlamim." After the songs, The Rav led the Zimmun over the cup. At the conclusion of Birkat HaMazon, The Rav recited the blessing "Al HaGafen" (over the wine) and delivered an additional lesson for about 5 minutes. At 22:00, he entered his holy home. This followed a duration of three hours and 40 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 shelter in his holy presence for approximately ten hours during the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Bereishit, 26th of Tishrei 5786.