“He has proclaimed a moed against me” (Eichah 1:15) — the fast of Tisha B’Av with the Tzaddik was observed with tremendous awakening and a burning fire, truly like a day of moed

Thousands came to join and press close to our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, for the prayers and for the recitation of the special Kinos for Tisha B’Av—this year postponed to the 10th of Av because of Shabbos.

From all across the country, worshippers arrived at the prayer hall of Rabbi Berland shlit"a. At 4:33 in the morning, the Rav shlit"a stepped out onto the balcony of his home and immediately began saying Chatzos.

After Chatzos, the Rav shlit"a continued with the morning zemiros and the Korbanos section together with the congregation, and at 5:25 our teacher reached the recitation of “Hodu.”

We are used to seeing Rabbi Berland shlit"a with tallis and tefillin, or on Shabbos in his magnificent white garments and tallis. But because of the halachos of Tisha B’Av, the Rav shlit"a came out wearing his hat and suit, as we were accustomed to in the past.

The feeling was one of great elevation. The entire congregation sang the prayers together with the Rav, in the Rav’s special melody and the melody of Shuvu Banim. After the Amidah, Rabbi Berland shlit"a read from the Torah and the special Haftarah for Tisha B’Av from the balcony of his home.

After the Torah reading, Rabbi Berland shlit"a came down to the prayer hall and joined the congregation for the recitation of the Kinos. In honor of the occasion, a special low platform was built, as a huge crowd of thousands surrounded the Rav shlit"a. Many hundreds managed to squeeze inside the hall; the rest joined in saying the Kinos in the area adjacent to the hall.

Everyone sat on the floor. Because of the large number of worshippers who were unable to enter, a large screen was set up that continuously broadcast what was happening inside, and a large canopy was spread out to provide shade from the blazing sun of the month of Menachem Av.

At 11:05, the packed and uplifting service with our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a came to an end.

Reciting the Kinos in the Kinos hall with our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a

The live broadcast with our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, on the night of Tisha B’Av (observed on the postponed date)

Photo gallery Tisha B’Av (observed on the postponed date) with our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a

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