Shma'atsa D'Chardal (The Teaching of the Mustard Seed)

It is well known and publicized that the approach of Rabbi Berland is to strongly encourage the in-depth study (iyun) of the holy Torah, particularly the deep, analytical work Ketzos HaChoshen. Indeed, many members of the Shuvu Banim community and students of Rabbi Berland fulfill this important advice, toiling over Ketzos HaChoshen, each according to his own ability and understanding. Recently, in the year 5778 (2017-2018), the "Iyun HaTorah" organization was established. This organization gathers a team of Torah scholars to delve into the complex topics found in Ketzos HaChoshen, periodically publishing a magnificent and beautifully arranged booklet with a clear explanation accessible to all, for the benefit of those studying.

One of the avreichim (married Torah scholars) writing the commentary on Ketzos HaChoshen is Rabbi Naftali Glinsky shlit"a, a learned Torah scholar residing in Modiin Illit and a close follower of the tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. While studying one of the topics, he encountered great difficulty and complexity in explaining the concepts. This was the topic of "Chardal" (mustard seeds) in Choshen Mishpat, section 155. Reb Naftali felt that he needed to seek help and assistance from Rabbi Berland shlit"a.

Since he lives in Modiin Illit, Reb Naftali recited the formula, "I hereby bind myself to all the true tzaddikim of our generation..." and asked Hashem that in the merit of Rabbi Berland, he should be able to understand and explain the topic clearly and lucidly. Around that same time, Rabbi Berland had issued a public call to assist his student, the righteous Rabbi Nachman Horowitz, whose home had completely burned down. In those very moments, Reb Naftali made a phone call to fulfill the tzaddik's request and assist in this important mitzvah of tzedakah (charity).

Miraculously, just a few minutes later, Reb Naftali met a fellow Torah scholar and shared with him that he was preoccupied with trying to find a clear and lucid explanation for the topic of "Chardal." That Torah scholar told him about a special book authored by a contemporary scholar called Shma'atsa D'Chardal (The Teaching of the Mustard Seed). Indeed, in the merit of this book, his eyes were opened to the proper explanation of the topic, and the commentary booklet on Ketzos HaChoshen was published without delay.

From the book *Pele Elyon*, Part 3