Story: A Pidyon to the Tzaddik and the Lump Disappeared, Plus 4 More Stories

Story: A Pidyon to the Tzaddik and the Lump Disappeared

A Jew relates what happened with his wife, may she live, a week ago. She suddenly felt a pain in her throat and there was something like a lump there. This frightened them very much, and they already wanted to call the doctor to schedule an appointment for tests... But before doing so, they decided to set aside a sum of money as a Pidyon (redemption) for Rabbi Berland shlit"a. Baruch Hashem (Thank God), by the loving-kindness of Hashem, within a short time the lump disappeared and the pain stopped.

A Story of Testimony: The Chilling Letter Sent by the Kabbalist Rabbi Dov Kook to Rabbi Berland

One of the students of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a related a special visit he made to the righteous Kabbalist, Rabbi Dov Kook shlit"a.

The Sealed Letter

Before the student left the home of Rabbi Dov Kook, the Kabbalist handed him a sealed letter intended for Rabbi Berland shlit"a. The student, out of awe and respect, guarded the letter with his life and, of course, did not dare to open it on the way. He hurried to bring the missive to its destination, into the inner sanctum.

The Chilling Content is Revealed

When the student arrived at Rabbi Berland shlit"a, he handed him the letter. The Rav opened the envelope in the presence of the student, and thus he was able to catch a glimpse and see what was written in the holy handwriting of the Kabbalist.

Written in the letter were the following trembling words: "May Hashem, blessed be He, give you the strength to suffer the afflictions of the entire Jewish people that you have taken upon yourself." The student testified with great emotion about that moment, saying: "Whose heart would not tremble, and whose eye would not shed a tear upon hearing such a testimony?"

Rabbi Eliezer the Great

In addition to this incident, there is another photograph of the holy handwriting of the tzaddik Rabbi Dov Kook shlit"a, which testifies to the magnitude of his appreciation and understanding of the hidden work of the Rav. In that rare letter, the following words were written: "In honor of Rabbi Berland shlit"a, who is Rabbi Eliezer the Great, suffering in the difficult exile of Israel."

These letters reveal a glimpse of the immense sacrifice of the tzaddik, who carries upon his shoulders the burden of the entire generation with love, through suffering, and with tremendous self-sacrifice for the sake of all of Israel.

A Story About the Warning of Rabbi David Chaim Stern: The Final Test of the Generation

The holy tzaddik Rabbi David Chaim Stern shlit"a constantly warns, cries out, and cautions about the terrible controversy and persecution taking place in our generation. It is difficult to put into writing the severe and sharp expressions he uses regarding this matter. He repeatedly states clearly that the final test of the generation before the Geulah (Redemption) is the test concerning Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

Praiseworthy is the Prudent One Who Keeps Silent at That Time

The tzaddik explains that there is no end to the immense joy that will be the portion of anyone who successfully passes this difficult test and stands firm in emunah (faith). Praiseworthy is the prudent one who keeps silent at that time, and does not allow the stormy winds to confuse his mind. In this context, he mentions the well-known words of the holy tzaddik of Ruzhin zy"a (may his merit protect us all, Amen), who foresaw the difficulties of the Ikvesa d'Meshicha (the footsteps of Mashiach).

Climbing a Smooth Wall

The tzaddik of Ruzhin said that before the coming of Mashiach, the test to remain steadfast in emunah (faith) will be as difficult as climbing a smooth wall. Without many cries, supplications, and pouring out tears like water before Hashem, blessed be He, no one is guaranteed to be able to hold on, may Hashem protect us. We must strengthen ourselves, increase our supplications, and cling to the true tzaddik in order to pass through this fateful period and merit the complete Geulah (Redemption).

Story: The holy Tzaddik, the Amshinov Rebbe shlit"a, encourages studying the prayers of the Rav shlit"a in depth

For two full hours, the students of Morinu the Rav shlit"a sat this past week with the aforementioned tzaddik (whose Divine service is known

to be exactly like one of the fiery angels on high, an angel of the Lord of Hosts. His prayer lasts for hours upon hours until total exhaustion, without eating or drinking, and without

sleep, and without any trace of the vanities of this world, as is known and famous). He dedicated his precious time in the middle of the night and strengthened the students of the Rav

shlit"a with soul-reviving words. He asked to inform all the students that they should strengthen themselves to study the prayers of Morinu the Rav shlit"a

with deep concentration, because they contain immense depth, secrets, and the most hidden of mysteries. As is known, the tens of thousands of prayers of the tzaddik are a novel revelation that has never been heard

in all the worlds.

Wondrous Story: The Special Connection of the Greatest of Tzaddikim to the Writings of Rabbi Berland

A certain Jew, one of the close students of Morinu Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, shares about the immense appreciation that the Torah leaders of Israel hold for the Rav's writings. The story focuses on one of the greatest tzaddikim of our generation, a rabbi to thousands of Jews, who revealed a deep and special connection to the Torah teachings and words of awakening of the Rav shlit"a.

A Thirst for the Words of the Tzaddik

This great tzaddik never gives up on receiving the weekly pages. Every single week, one of the students of Rabbi Berland shlit"a is required to personally deliver to him the prayers that are distributed on Friday night in the Rav's Beis Midrash. "The tzaddik simply does not skip a single page, and waits for it with great anticipation every week anew," the students relate.

This consists of about eight to nine prayers written on the weekly Torah portion, current events, and all topics related to serving Hashem. These prayers contain immense depth and great strengthening, and they encompass all areas of life and spirituality.

A Place of Honor on the Table

The most amazing thing of all is the special treatment that this tzaddik gives to these prayers. All of these pages and novel Torah insights are always placed on his personal table in his room, in a permanent spot.

This fact testifies more than anything to their holiness and the great spiritual level of the words of Morinu the Rav shlit"a. His holy words continue to illuminate the eyes of the Torah leaders of Israel, rabbis, and simple folk alike, granting them renewed vitality in serving the Creator.

From Issue 80 — Parashas Shlach

From the series "A Tzaddik Rules in the Fear of God" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" Publications