Recognizing the Greatness of the Tzaddik Through His Students

Rebbe Nachman says that because of the greatness of the true tzaddik, it is only possible to grasp his greatness through his people, the students of the tzaddik. These are his holy words (Likutey Moharan 140):

"For the tzaddik himself cannot be grasped, for there is no way to comprehend him, as he is above one's intellect. Only through his people who are close to him can one understand the greatness of the tzaddik. For by seeing his people, who are men of action, G-d-fearing and whole, and in them they have a grasp and understanding, because the world is not yet as distant from them as it is from the tzaddik himself, therefore, whoever seeks the truth can know the greatness of the tzaddik through his people."

"And this is like the parable of the seal, where the writing engraved upon it cannot be read because the letters are reversed. Only by striking and pressing the seal onto wax can one see the letters and the designs engraved on the seal, and understand the writing of the seal."

In an article she wrote, Avia Kushnetzky sharpens this point from her personal perspective. Avia writes openly about her pain regarding the harsh persecution of our teacher, the holy Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. Although these matters are not new to the general public, the novelty in her words is that her entire way of drawing close to the holy community of 'Shuvu Banim' began only through knowing the students of Rav Berland. As she testifies, she had not seen our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a at all, and yet she knows with certainty that he is the "tzaddik of the generation." These are her moving words.

I think that my story and my impression of Rav Eliezer Berland are a bit different from everything you will hear or see online... I assume that if you type the words "Rav Berland" into a search bar, the results you get will be divided into roughly two categories: The first category is, of course, the "good souls," those who smear him endlessly... Among the members of this category, you will find stories, recordings, and perhaps even testimonies about allegedly terrible and shocking things that Rav Berland did.

The second category is that of his group of believers who follow him through fire and water, and from them you will hear fascinating stories about miracles and wonders that Rav Berland performed. You will witness blind faith and infinite love from his community for him and their following him through fire and water. I must note that in a certain way, this blind love also deterred me at first because associations of a 'cult' immediately arose in me... until I merited to know the members of the community up close.

At the outset, I will state and say that I completely belong to the second category - those who support, love, and believe in Rav Berland. But for me, it is a bit different... I have not seen (at least not LIVE) any miracle, salvation, or magic that he performed. The truth is, I have never seen him face to face. Ah... and I have never spoken with him or transferred money to him in any way. The truth is that I don't have much of an idea who he is or what his deeds are. So how did I reach a state where I am certain with every fiber of my soul and spirit that this man, Rav Eliezer Berland, is indeed a tzaddik? (And I am using mild language... in my opinion, it would have been appropriate to write here 'tzaddik of the generation').

Simply... because I have known the members of his community up close for over a whole year (which is now my community as well), and I must note that I have never encountered such people. What wisdom, what understanding, what love for Israel! I have no doubt that if all the rabbis here learned from Rav Eliezer Berland - then he m-u-s-t be the tzaddik of the generation! Please do me a favor and just listen to one lesson by Rav Ofer Erez and tell me if it seems logical to you that this person is not walking in the path of truth? One conversation with Rav Stern or with Rav Shalom Arush and one can already feel all the unconditional love of these people. The sharp and acute internal logic that guides them. The care for others and the love and awe of Hashem in the most moving and beautiful way possible!

I have been part of this community for over a year as I mentioned, and at first, I was v-e-r-y afraid and suspicious of everything. I was very afraid that, G-d forbid, it was really a cult. (I just want to laugh even as I write the word 'cult' because being here does not resemble even half a sign of a cult - on the contrary).

There is love here, encouragement and help for one another, and service of Hashem in a devoted way from the melody of the soul... There is not a quarter of a sign of a cult here! I return every week to my parents' house and am in wonderful contact with my sister and my family, and the truth is, so are the rest of the people here!

You don't have to believe me; you are invited to see for yourselves.

And one last thing - a tip for life (not only regarding the Rav), please understand that the media is a body that often distorts things from the foundation. I am not talking now only about Rav Berland - everything you see that the media presents - please, I beg of you, take everything with a grain of salt. Every program, every news flash, or interview, it doesn't matter with which celebrity or politician or whatever... the media presents what it wants to present and not the truth. And I can testify that it does not present the truth regarding Rav Eliezer Berland or his community. Because there is no chance in the world that all the people I know (and I know many here) were educated and learned under a negative person, G-d forbid. You see it in their eyes.

I wish for you to always be as close as possible to the point of truth and to walk in the pleasant paths of peace and love!

Avia