Story: A Purim of Awe and Joy with the Mordechai HaYehudi of Our Generation

A moving description of the rare combination of immense joy and pure fear of Heaven during the days of Purim in the presence of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

What is revealed by the tzaddik of our generation during the days of Purim is very difficult to explain and describe in words. The immense joy, together with the fear and awe of Heaven of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, are revealed during these days in a powerful and incomprehensible way.

The Holiness of the Day of Purim

As is known to anyone who merits to take shelter in his shadow, Rabbi Berland shlit"a awakens and strengthens the public throughout the years regarding the essence of the holiday. He emphasizes time and again that the day of Purim is a holy and awesome day, which is even greater in its spiritual level than Yom Kippur. From this understanding, one approaches the holiday with true holy awe, and not out of fleeting revelry.

Joy Through Perfection and Caution

The Rav shlit"a always warns that, God forbid, one should not think that on Purim it is permissible to cast off restraint or get drunk in a way that contradicts the path of the holy Torah. He is careful to remind everyone that it is absolutely forbidden to harm anyone, or, God forbid, to miss a prayer or any mitzvah because of drunkenness.

On the contrary, the Rav teaches that specifically through caution and guarding the boundaries of Halacha (Jewish law), one merits to reach true joy. When the joy stems from holiness and purity, it reaches an immense perfection.

Every year anew, we merit to see how this great light continues to grow stronger and stronger, leaving a profound impression of holiness on everyone who merits to be in the presence of the "Mordechai HaYehudi" of our generation.

From Issue 84 — Parashas Tzav

From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" (A Tzaddik Rules Through the Fear of God) — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications