"There is no greater mitzvah than redeeming captives" – "And charity saves from death" (Proverbs 10:2)

Dear friends, Anash Shuvu Banim, students and supporters of our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a, Hashem be with you!

As is known to all, there is an ongoing fierce struggle with the legal authorities regarding our teacher, the esteemed righteous Rav Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. The general public is not aware, but the battle is difficult and long, and the activists are collapsing under the burden of the legal expenses and the tzaddik's lawyers.

The Rambam writes

"Redeeming captives takes precedence over supporting the poor and clothing them, and there is no greater mitzvah than redeeming captives! For the captive is included among the hungry, the thirsty, and the naked, and stands in mortal danger. One who turns a blind eye to his redemption transgresses 'Do not harden your heart or shut your hand,' and 'Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor,' and 'He shall not rule over him with rigor in your sight,' and neglects the mitzvah of 'You shall surely open your hand to him,' and the mitzvah of 'Your brother shall live with you,' 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' and 'Rescue those taken for death' and many such things. There is no greater mitzvah than redeeming captives." (Rambam, Laws of Gifts to the Poor, Chapter 8, Halacha 10)

Please see to donate with self-sacrifice your contribution to the "Redemption of Captives" fund for our teacher Rav shlit"a! By the directive of the community's rabbinical council, each family should give 500₪ for this noble cause, and it can be given from tithe money.

The Shulchan Aruch writes

"Every moment that one delays redeeming captives, where it is possible to hasten, it is as if he spills blood" (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 252, Se'if 3).

It is not a time to be silent! This is pikuach nefesh! Please hurry to fulfill the mitzvah! And do not say "When I have time, I will study," lest you never have time...

To listen to the words of the community rabbis and to make the sacred donation via credit card (100% to the Redemption of Captives fund) call now *9148 extension 10

Center for Help and Kindness in the name of Moharan of Breslov to save our teacher, the righteous Rav Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a - For direct donation Click here

For donation via phone call - 0527-184-729

Words of Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman shlit"a, Rabbi of Migdal HaEmek and Head of Migdal Ohr Institutions:

"Our Sages tell us, 'One who opens a door for his friend, his soul is indebted to him.' How many hearts has our teacher Rav shlit"a opened to bring back in teshuvah and bring Jews closer to Hashem? He has given his life for every Jew. I have known the Rav for 40 years and know how much self-sacrifice he has to help the people of Israel. So when he is now in trouble, we are obligated to remember 'his soul is indebted.' Anyone who can help influence others to donate, there is no greater mitzvah than this.

And with Hashem's help, the Rav will return to lead the community, give lessons, magnify and glorify the Torah, and with Hashem's help prepare us all to soon merit the complete redemption, this is the goal."

Words of Rabbi Shalom Arush shlit"a, Head of Chut Shel Chessed Institutions:

"Even if it were the simplest Jew in the world, the mitzvah of redeeming captives is very, very great. All the more so when it concerns my master, my teacher, Rabbi Eliezer ben Atia shlit"a, who everyone who has traveled or will travel to Uman, it is all thanks to him. I am a clear witness to this; he opened the way to Uman in a clear manner, truly with self-sacrifice. One day I will tell of things I have seen with my own eyes, self-sacrifice. Therefore, we must help with a donation for the redemption of captives, for here we are talking about a great tzaddik who took upon himself suffering for us, and there is also gratitude for having reached Uman thanks to him. And not only that, but he opened all the matters of our Rebbe with self-sacrifice."

Words of Rabbi Ofer Erez shlit"a:

"When King David fled from Absalom, all the people who were with him helped him simply and with self-sacrifice. Even though King David was on spiritual levels where he could seemingly manage on his own, but that is our work, we must help.

Everyone feels that the entire reality of the Rav and everything he is going through is in a very, very spiritual and high place, and this is true. Beyond that, we must simply 'know on earth Your way,' to do everything in our power to help the Rav, this is certainly our obligation.

It is true that the Rav is coping with supreme courage that is almost hard to grasp with human intellect how the Rav endures all these terrible sufferings, but our obligation is to help him, there is no question about it.

There is a story that once they tried to harm our Rebbe, and at a certain time, the people of peace left the place and relied on the Rebbe's merit. And even though there were miracles and the Rebbe was saved, the Rebbe later admonished them and said explicitly 'You must do your part and not rely on my merits, you should have stayed and protected me.' Our obligation is simply to help the Rav."