Story: The Tzaddik Grabbed His Hand "From Now, From Now" and 4 More Stories

Story: The Tzaddik Grabbed His Hand "From Now, From Now"

A young Torah scholar from among the followers of the tzaddik related that a few years ago, during prayers with Rabbi Berland shlit"a, he deeply desired to tell

Rabbi Berland shlit"a what he was going through, the spiritual descents and falls, and what was difficult for him in his service of Hashem, etc., etc., and his soul was very bitter.

He pushed his way through the large crowd until he reached Rabbi Berland shlit"a, and immediately, before he could utter a single word from his mouth, Rabbi Berland shlit"a grabbed his hand and said, "From now!"

"From now!" He then understood that he did not need to say anything at all, and that the tzaddik knows everything.

A Story of a Medical Miracle: When the Doctors Were Astounded by the Recovery of Rabbi Berland

Last week, on Sunday, great concern spread among the congregation of followers of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. The Rav was rushed to the hospital after being in a severe medical condition, which included severe fluid loss and general weakness. The news of the tzaddik's hospitalization spread its wings, and immediately a tremendous awakening of cries and supplications to the Creator of the World began.

A Cry Across All Corners of the Globe

As is customary in times of distress, mass prayer gatherings immediately began throughout the Land of Israel and the world. Chassidim and students from all corners of the globe gathered to recite The Tikkun HaKlali seven times, tearing the heavens for the complete healing of the tzaddik. Simultaneously, a central prayer gathering was announced at the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem.

Masses of the tzaddik's students—men, women, and children—filled the Western Wall plaza. It was especially moving to see about two hundred young schoolchildren, pure and innocent precious children, crying out to Hashem with sincerity. "The cries at the Western Wall were truly like the days of Mordechai and Esther," the attendees described the intensity of the trembling event.

An Open Miracle Before the Eyes of the Doctors

Baruch Hashem, Hashem hears the cries of the destitute, and immediately the next day the public was informed of a tremendous and sudden improvement in the condition of Rabbi Berland shlit"a. The doctors in the hospital stood astounded and openly admitted that an open miracle had occurred here. Previously, the medical staff had feared that the Rav would need dialysis treatments, Heaven forbid, but by the grace of Heaven, the situation completely reversed.

Everyone tangibly saw the infinite love and compassion of our Maker and Creator. Baruch Hashem, already on the following Sunday, our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a returned to his residence. He returned to pray with the holy congregation with tremendous renewal, with joy, at length, and with the familiar and beloved melodies. Fortunate are we that we merited to see the tzaddik return to his strength and continue to lead his congregation with a high hand.

A Story About Preparation for Pesach: The Tears Behind the Holy Words

"Tefillah L'Ani" (A Prayer of the Afflicted) - this is the name of the collection of holy prayers composed by our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a for the festivals. Whoever truly wants to taste the authentic flavor of the holiday of Pesach and the Seder night can find it in these words. Through these holy words, one can feel how Rabbi Berland shlit"a pours out his soul in cries and supplications to Hashem.

Tears Like Water on the Pages

It is well-known and famous among the Chassidim that the tzaddik composed these prayers out of tremendous weeping and copious tears. One of the family members of our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a related a chilling testimony about the manner in which these words were written.

That relative related that he once merited to see Rabbi Berland shlit"a in the act. "I saw how the Rav sits, crying from the depths of his heart and pouring out an abundance of tears literally like water," he described with emotion. Amidst the tremendous weeping, the Rav would write these words on pages.

The Decision to Publish the Holiness

Initially, Rabbi Berland shlit"a kept these matters to himself and did not want to publish these personal and moving writings at all. He viewed them as an internal and personal service between him and his Maker.

However, by the grace of Hashem, the Rav subsequently gave his permission to publish these words to bring merit to the multitudes. Thus, we all merited this great light, which enables every Jew to connect to the holiness of the festival and awaken their heart to our Father in Heaven.

A Story of Yearning: The Trembling Words That Awaken Hearts

One of the students relates the great emotion that grips him every time he reads the holy words of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. This is a truly unique passage, filled with yearning and immense desire for the Creator of the Universe, which is worthy of being copied, read over and over again, and reviewed constantly.

Desire and Yearning for the Creator

At the outset, the Rav turns to the Creator of the Universe with a cry from the depths of his heart: "Please, my Father, Father of Mercy, draw us all to do Your will with a fierce desire." He asks that our spiritual service be performed with true yearning and great passion.

"Until my soul is consumed on this night running after You," the Rav pleads, expressing the deep desire that his soul should yearn and pine for the courtyards of Hashem. These words awaken every Jew to seek the truest and most inner closeness to their Creator.

A Holy Body from the Garden of Eden

The request continues, touching not only upon the soul but also upon the physical connection to the service of Hashem. The Rav describes how "my flesh and my body will long for You, my heart and my flesh will sing joyously to the living God." This is an immense spiritual level where, on this special day, his innermost being will rejoice, and all his 248 limbs and 365 sinews will participate in the joy of holiness.

Further on, he pleads for the day of Geulah (Redemption) and purification: "On the day when You will draw me out of my exile, and grant me the merit of a holy body from the Garden of Eden." This is an aspiration for absolute purity, where the physical matter itself becomes spiritual, pure, and clean from any blemish.

On the Level of the Faithful Shepherd

Concluding his words, the Rav shlit"a mentions Moshe Rabbeinu, who is referred to in the holy Zohar as "Raya Mehemna" (the Faithful Shepherd). He describes how Moshe merited to be sent to the Children of Israel, and how his flesh and his heart were transformed into a heart of flesh that was drawn like water after its Creator.

"Until he merited to receive Your Torah, ascending to Your holy chambers," the Rav summarizes the spiritual ascent of Moshe Rabbeinu. This story of yearning and longing teaches us how much we must strive and pine for closeness to Hashem, and the holy words of the Rav continue to awaken the hearts of thousands of Jews to serve the Creator with love.

A Moving Story from Matzah Baking: The Emotion of the Moreh Tzedek (Halachic Authority)

About two years ago, in one of the meticulous matzah-baking groups in the holy city of Jerusalem, a moving and truly unique event took place. Among the many participants engaged in this holy work was one of the devoted students of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

The role of this student in the group was responsible and important—he was in charge of preparing the water designated to be poured into the flour. The task of baking matzahs requires agility and precision, but in between, brief moments of waiting arise.

During those free moments, the student utilized every second to connect to the Creator of the Universe. He took the booklet out of his pocket and began to recite, with great spiritual awakening, the holy prayers composed by the Rav shlit"a.

"Ah, Rabbi Eliezer! Give it to me too"

Present in that same baking group was one of the prominent Morei Tzedek (halachic authorities) of the Badatz (Rabbinical Court) of the Edah HaChareidis. The esteemed Moreh Tzedek noticed the student enthusiastically murmuring from the booklet, and his curiosity was piqued. He approached him and asked gently: "What are you saying? From which book are you reading?"

The student did not hesitate and replied immediately: "These are the prayers of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a." The reaction of the Moreh Tzedek was both surprising and moving. His face lit up with immense amazement, and he exclaimed with emotion: "Ah, Rabbi Eliezer! Give it to me, I also want to say this!"

The Moreh Tzedek took the booklet into his hands and began to recite the prayer with tremendous emotion and an awakening of the heart. Those present were astonished to see one of the leading halachic decisors pouring out his heart with such great devotion, in the merit of the holy words of the tzaddik.

The Power of the Tzaddik's Words

This story testifies more than anything to the spiritual power hidden within the words of the Rav shlit"a, which succeed in touching the hearts of everyone—from the simple person to the greatest Torah scholars and Halachic authorities. Words that come from the heart enter the heart and accomplish their purpose in the Heavenly realms.

(Editor's note: These prayer booklets can be obtained at the "Ein Yaakov" store opposite the Mea Shearim shtiblach).

From Issue 82 — Parashas Metzora

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