Prayer gatherings at the holy sites of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron, as well as throughout Eretz Yisrael and the world, took place last night, Monday, 15th of Kislev 5781, with great awakening for the release of our teacher, the honorable tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

We all know that our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a takes upon himself the yoke of suffering to bring about the redemption with great mercy, thereby sweetening the decrees upon Israel. Nevertheless, as students, chassidim, and supporters, it is our duty to rise and protest in prayer against the terrible injustice occurring. An 84-year-old tzaddik, the elder of the prisoners, who in his advanced age and difficult medical condition sits in prison with his trial yet to begin - there is no greater miscarriage of justice than this.

Everyone understands that the prosecution has nothing, not even half a thing, against our teacher Rabbi Berland, and they know they have climbed a high tree and are now trying to pressure the Rabbi into a plea deal. Against the baseless and false claims they try to concoct, there are dozens of testimonies of how Rabbi Berland shlit"a performs frightening salvations through pidyon nefesh, and thousands have been helped by his blessings.

The public struggle committee, in coordination with the enforcement institutions in the country, responded to the request and informed the large public that due to the situation, a mass gathering at the Cave of the Patriarchs could not be held. Therefore, several locations were announced where the public would gather for the recitation of Psalms and cries for Rabbi Berland and the people of Israel. Indeed, moving prayer gatherings were held in Eretz Yisrael and worldwide, but unfortunately - the enforcement institutions did not uphold the agreement. The large public that arrived at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, even though they came only from the Jerusalem area as agreed, was not allowed to enter the prayer area. The large public began to wonder aloud, "What are they afraid of? They know they are wrong, and that the power of the worm of Jacob is in its mouth!"

However, "Behold, God is mighty and does not despise," and the harassment of the enforcement agencies against the worshipers, despite their adherence to the rules and agreement, only led to an increase in prayer and public awakening.

Prayer gatherings by the holy community of 'Shuvu Banim' were held simultaneously in Hebron at the Cave of the Patriarchs, as well as at other locations including: in Uman at the holy site of Rebbe Nachman, Rabbi Natan Breslov Ukraine. In Meron at the holy site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. In Tiberias at the holy site of Rabbi Akiva. In Bethlehem at the holy site of Rachel our Matriarch. At the Baba Sali, Binyamin ben Yaakov Kfar Saba, and at other locations.

Photo Gallery from the Prayer Gathering at the Cave of the Patriarchs

(Photo Credit: Avrimi Witman)