Return, O Israel, to Hashem Your G-d • Coverage of Shabbat Parshat Vayeilech

Presented before you is an extensive coverage of the prayers and lessons that took place on the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Vayeilech - Shabbat Shuvah (the Shabbat of Repentance), 5 Tishrei 5786, in the shadow of the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days):

The Eve of the Holy Shabbat

At 18:15, The Rav shlit"a went out to the balcony of his home for the Mincha (afternoon) prayer of the eve of the glorious Shabbat, dressed in Shabbat garments. They sang "Or Zarua L'Tzaddik" (Light is sown for the righteous) for 20 minutes. Afterward, The Rav shlit"a said Ashrei and stood for the Mincha prayer. At the conclusion of the Mincha of the eve of the Holy Shabbat, he said the Seder HaHisksherus (the order of connecting to the Tzaddik) word for word, with the entire congregation repeating after him. Following this, The Rav began Kabbalat Shabbat (the service welcoming Shabbat) with all the psalms, from "L'chu Neranena" to "Mizmor L'David." Afterward, he began the singing of "L'cha Dodi," which lasted approximately 42 minutes. He then said "K'gavna" (a Kabbalistic prayer describing the spiritual unification of Shabbat) and the Maariv (evening) prayer of the Shabbat night with singing and melodies. At the conclusion of Maariv, The Rav continued with Zemirot (songs) for Shabbat night; the prayer ended at 20:43 after two and a half hours (2:28).

The Shacharit Prayer

For the Shacharit (morning) prayer, The Rav shlit"a came out at 4:21; it should be noted that this is earlier than usual. They sang "Or Zarua L'Tzaddik" for about 6 minutes, and then he began part of the verses of Tikkun Chatzos (the Midnight Lament) which are customarily said in sections on Shabbat and festivals. The morning Zemirot and Korbanot (sacrificial readings) followed their usual order. At 05:17, he began saying "Hodu L'Hashem Kir'u ViShmo" and the Pesukei D'Zimra (Verses of Praise) as on every Shabbat, with melodies and enthusiasm. Before "HaAderet V'HaEmunah," the time for Talit (prayer shawl) arrived, and The Rav recited the blessing over the Talit. During the singing of "Ki Chol Peh Lecha Yodeh," he extended the prayer for about 5 minutes. In the melody following Yishtabach, he extended for about six minutes. The Rav shlit"a stood for the Shemoneh Esrei prayer at the moment of Netz HaChamah (sunrise) — 06:31 — after more than two hours of the Shacharit prayer.

The Torah Reading

After the conclusion of the Chazzan's repetition, they said "L'David Hashem Ori V'Yishi" and the Shir Shel Yom (Psalm of the Day). Afterward, at the opening of the Ark, they sang "Yeha Ra'ava" (May it be the will), and the Torah scroll was removed. The Rav shlit"a began the Torah reading for Parshat "Vayeilech." One after another, those celebrating special occasions and those observing Yahrtzeits (anniversaries of passing) were called up, having merited to stand beside The Rav shlit"a during the prayer. After the conclusion of the Torah reading, a Bar Mitzvah boy read the Haftarah (reading from the Prophets); the Torah reading and the Haftarah together lasted only about 25 minutes.

The Musaf Prayer and Kiddusha Rabba

At the conclusion of the Haftarah reading, The Rav shlit"a began singing "Zera Chaya V'Kayama" (Living and enduring offspring) for about a quarter of an hour. Afterward, he continued to say "Av HaRachamim." Close to 07:40, he approached the Musaf (additional) prayer. After the Chazzan's repetition, he finished the prayer in its order, concluding with the Tikkun HaKlali (The General Rectification). He recited Kiddush over the cup for Kiddusha Rabba (the daytime Shabbat Kiddush) and delivered a lesson for about 5 minutes.

At 08:14, he entered his holy home after nearly four hours (3:53) during which we merited the Shacharit prayer, Torah reading, Musaf, and a lesson during Kiddusha Rabba together with The Rav shlit"a.

The Mincha Prayer

At 18:44, The Rav shlit"a entered for the Mincha prayer of the Holy Shabbat on the balcony of his home and began with the singing of "Or Zarua L'Tzaddik" for 10 minutes. Afterward, he said Kaddish, and they opened the Ark with the singing of "Yeha Ra'ava." The Rav shlit"a read from the Torah — Parshat Ha'azinu — for three people called to the Torah. This was followed by the Shemoneh Esrei prayer of the Shabbat Mincha.

Rava D'Ravin

At the conclusion of the Shabbat Mincha prayer at 19:23, while at his place on the balcony, The Rav shlit"a washed his hands for the Seudah Shlishit (the Third Meal). According to his holy custom, with the first Kezayit (olive-sized portion of bread), he began the Zemirot of the Third Meal for about 22 minutes. At the conclusion of the Zemirot, he extended the singing of "Yah Ribon" (G-d, Master of the world) for about a quarter of an hour. Afterward, the singing of "Koh Amar Hashem Matza Chen BaMidbar" (Thus says Hashem, they found grace in the desert) lasted for 5 minutes; in the singing of "Koh Amar Hashem Zacharti Lach Chesed Neuraich" (Thus says Hashem, I remembered for you the kindness of your youth), he extended for 4 minutes. In the singing of "Ad Heina" (Until now), he sang for 27 minutes. At the conclusion of the singing, The Rav began "Tzur Mishelo Achalnu" and led the Zimun (invitation to Grace After Meals) over a cup of wine.

Maariv and Havdalah

At 20:36, immediately after Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals), The Rav shlit"a began the singing of "Lamnatzeach BiNginot" only once, and afterward continued with the Maariv prayer of the conclusion of Shabbat with melodies of flaming fire. After the Shemoneh Esrei, he did not say the "V'yehi Noam" order because of the upcoming Holy Day (Yom Kippur) in the coming week; rather, he finished the Maariv prayer in its order and performed Havdalah (the ceremony marking the end of Shabbat) over the cup with the singing of "Layehudim" (The Jews had light and joy).

At the Conclusion of the Day of Rest

After Havdalah, The Rav washed his hands for Melaveh Malkah (the meal accompanying the departing Shabbat Queen) — this is the meal of David the King, the Mashiach. The Rav shlit"a sang all the Zemirot for Melaveh Malkah together with the entire public. Before the song "Eliyahu HaNavi," he delivered a lesson for about 5 minutes from the holy book "Avneha Barzel," regarding how Rebbe Nachman warned to receive vaccinations, and that one who does not do so is like one who sheds blood. The Rav shlit"a's talk was given in light of the fact that in the past week, two infants belonging to the holy community passed away, may Hashem protect us. After the lesson, he continued the Zemirot "Eliyahu HaNavi" and "Ribon Kol HaOlamim." After the Zemirot, our master The Rav led the Zimun over the cup. At the conclusion of Birkat HaMazon, The Rav recited the blessing "Al HaGefen" and delivered another lesson for about two minutes on the greatness of those who gather by Rebbe Nachman on Rosh Hashanah. At 21:10, he entered his holy home. This followed a duration of nearly four hours that we merited to be together with him continuously from the Mincha prayer, through the three meals, Maariv, and Melaveh Malkah.

In total, the entire Shabbat was approximately ten and a half hours during which we merited to take refuge in the holy shadow on the Holy Shabbat of Parshat Vayeilech, 5 Tishrei 5786.