Rabbi Eliezer Berland Shlit”a on his Way to Uman

On Tuesday, 7 Elul, Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a unexpectedly began his journey to Uman in preparation for the Rosh Hashanah gathering of 5785.  At the beginning of the week, the Rav’s grandson and assistant gave an interview to the Breslov Information Line (Kav HaMeda - *9148) in which he answered questions about why Moreinu HaRav shlit”a left for Uman early, about his state of health while travelling, and he also gives a special account of the previous Shabbat – Shabbat Ki Tetzei – spent in the company of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a on his way to Uman.  Here is the full interview:

First of all, why did the Rav hurry and leave so early? The truth is that this depends on the Rav himself.  In the last few months, he expressed his desire a number of times to travel to Uman early this year, so we did as he wished. We know that the Rav shlit”a left his home on Tuesday, 7 Elul.  Until Friday, the media was quiet.  There was Heavenly assistance in managing in keeping it a secret. Baruch Hashem, Hashem looks after the Tzaddik and arranges everything so that it will be according to what is needed. At the Rav’s age, how does he feel healthwise when not at home? Baruch Hashem, the Rav feels well.  Last week, there was a certain medical problem which developed.  Of course, immediately the appropriate medications were brought.  The Rav is under medical supervision at all times by his on-hand doctors, like at home.  Baruch Hashem, the problem was worked out, but understandably this is the place to arouse people to pray for Moreinu HaRav shlit”a.  At such an age, any small problem can become complicated and requires monitoring.  But Baruch Hashem, at the moment, the Rav feels well. You spent Shabbat “Ki Tetzei” in the company of Moreinu HaRav shlit”a.  We would like to hear how the Shabbat went in his holy company? Baruch Hashem, as everyone knows, the Rav remains himself in every place, and it doesn’t matter how many people he is found with.  The Rav sang all the prayers, whether Kabbalat Shabbat -- “Lecha Dodi” -- at length, and likewise, at the Shabbat meals, all the songs and he didn’t relent on any niggun.  In particular, he repeated “Shalom Alechem,” and likewise “Y-ah Ribon” in the section “Ravevin” according to his holy custom on every Shabbat.  On the Shabbat evening meal, he intended to finish the meal already and began “Shir HaMa’alot.”  He then remembered that he didn’t say Torah at the table.  Then Moreinu HaRav shlit”a began to speak about Parashat “Ki Tetzei,” and said that “Ki Tetzei” is the numerical value of “Chatan V’Chalah (groom and bride),” that “bride and groom” is called to “go out to war.”  The Rav even mentioned the holy Or HaChaim on “V’Shavita Shivyo,” that we elevate all the sparks – the souls of Tzaddikim that are found in the wicked, like Rabbi Akiva, whose soul was found in the temple of Sisra, and likewise, Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes, who was the descendent of the emperor Nero, and also Shamaya and Avtalyon, who were the descendants of converts.  Only after the words of Torah did the Rav bless Birchat HaMazon.  In response to your question, regarding the Rav’s personal Divine service, there is no recognizable difference whether the Rav is found with the community or alone. It’s known that Moreinu HaRav shlit”a has tens of thousands of book in his home.  Which books does the Rav shlit”a use on his journey? Baruch Hashem, we took a number of suitcases of the Rav’s books, including Shas, Rambam and Zohar.  It’s worth noting that the Rav sits and learns the books with phenomenal persistence literally twenty-four hours [a day]!  In recent years, the Rav has been involved in the needs of the community, receiving people, and shiurim, [so] the Rav learns less than he would like to.  However, here, the Rav is fully immersed in the books with phenomenal concentration, speaking little, and entirely focused on his learning.  An interesting point is that the Rav is involved primarily in a book called “Zevach Pesach,” which is a book on the section about the Passover offering in the Rambam.  Moreinu HaRav literally is totally involved in this subject; for tens of hours without exaggeration, he has been involved only with this subject.  He learns it with the Rambam - Zevachim on Hilchot Pesach and its commentaries.  What’s interesting is that we are used to the Rav shlit”a being involved more with learning Choshen Mishpat – Kitzot HaChoshen – and sugiyot of Shas.  Here the Rav shlit”a learns Zevachim with the greatest enthusiasm in great depth.  This is an interesting and remarkable point in itself.

As you know, when the Rav isn’t found here, there are all types of unfounded rumors.  When will we be able to hear another update? We hope that as Rosh Hashanah approaches, we will be able to clarify things more.   This is the place to arouse the community not to think that because the Rav isn’t home, that everything is fine.  You need to know that there are still many obstacles on the way to Uman, and don’t stop praying that all the obstacles will be broken, and that the Rav will be able to get through all the barriers on the way to the Kibbutz.  Regarding rumors, it’s possible to say that most of the things that were publicized were not true and they’re all rumors.  Everyone thinks to himself something and already thinks that he receives some kind of confirmation from another rumor that reaches him, and so everything turns into a rumor mill.  In particular, the media jumps onto every piece of information and immediately publicizes it.  There’s nothing to be alarmed or worried about because of rumors, just to pray that already this year, Moreinu HaRav shlit”a will manage to make it to Uman, to gather together with all the Breslov Chasidim for Rosh Hashanah. In conclusion, did you hear any words or chizzuk about Rabbeinu HaKadosh and the trip for Rosh Hashanah? The truth is that, as I mentioned, the Rav is deeply involved in his books and minimizes speaking with us.  What I did see, between the words, that the Rav mamash connects everything to Rabbeinu.  Every word that I would mention, he would immediately connect it.  The Rav mentioned that Rabbeinu is the “head of the house” – the Bereishit [beginning of creation].  He said a very sharp statement that Adam HaRishon didn’t have Rabbeinu, so he didn’t merit to be saved from the sin, but you need to know that now we have Rabbeinu HaKadosh to hold on to and to believe in.  And he said very lofty words.  It appears that the Rav shlit”a is found in mamash lofty places, Bezrat Hashem, in anticipation of what we will merit to. Rabbi Naftali Tzucker, we mamash thank you for the interview. This is the place to again remind people to pray that we should merit that the Rav shlit”a will manage to get to Uman to the Rosh Hashanah gathering this year, together will all the Breslov Chasidim, amidst physical health and spiritual elevation!