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

An avreich (Torah scholar) who experienced difficulties and spiritual downfalls wanted to pour out his heart before Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. Even before he uttered a word, the Rav grabbed his hand and gave him the answer.

Amazing Story: The Tzaddik Grabbed His Hand and Said "From Now On, From Now On"

An avreich from our community shared a deeply moving and strengthening experience he had several years ago, while spending time in the presence of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. During that period, this avreich was dealing with many difficulties in his service of Hashem, may He be blessed. He experienced spiritual descents and downfalls, and felt how despair was beginning to weigh heavily upon his soul.

The Heavy Burden on the Heart

The avreich's heart was very bitter. He felt a strong need to pour out his thoughts before the Rav shlit"a, to share with him everything he was going through, and to ask for advice and guidance on how to deal with the difficulties.

On one occasion, when there was a large crowd of people around the Rav, he decided to take action. He pushed his way with mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) through the masses, focused on one single goal: to reach the tzaddik and tell him about the pain flooding his soul.

The Surprising Answer of the Tzaddik

After much effort, the avreich managed to reach right up to the Rav shlit"a. He stood there, ready to open his mouth and unfold the entire saga of his difficulties and downfalls.

But then an amazing thing happened. Immediately, even before he managed to utter a single word from his mouth, the Rav shlit"a warmly grabbed his hand. The Rav looked at him and said only two words: "From now on! From now on!"

In that uplifting moment, the avreich immediately understood the profound message. He realized that he had no need to speak or explain, because the tzaddik sees and knows everything. The Rav's words infused him with renewed strength to start everything from the beginning, without despair, knowing that the main thing is the new beginning from this very moment.

A Story of an Open Miracle: The Cry at the Western Wall and the Rapid Recovery of Rabbi Berland

One Sunday, great concern spread among the congregation of students and Chassidim. Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a was rushed to the hospital and admitted in critical condition, following severe fluid loss and general weakness. The situation looked alarming, and the need for abundant Heavenly mercy was deeply felt in the air.

A Cry from All Corners of the World

Immediately upon hearing the news, prayer gatherings began to be organized all over the Land of Israel and the world. The multitudes of the House of Israel, in all corners of the globe, gathered to recite "The Tikkun HaKlali" seven times and tore the heavens for the healing of the tzaddik. The climax was when a central prayer gathering was announced at the Western Wall plaza.

Masses of the tzaddik's students flocked to the Western Wall—men, women, and children. It was especially moving to see about two hundred tinokos shel beis rabban (young schoolchildren), pure and innocent sweet children, crying out to Hashem, may He be blessed, with a heartbreaking voice. "The cry at the Western Wall was reminiscent of the days of Mordechai and Esther, when everyone united in supplication to the Creator of the world," recounted those present at the scene.

An Open Miracle in the Hospital

Baruch Hashem (Thank God), the supplications and cries did not return empty. By the very next morning, the public was informed of a tremendous and sudden improvement in the condition of the Rav shlit"a. The doctors in the hospital stood astounded at the pace of his recovery, and openly admitted that "a literal open miracle occurred here."

The sudden improvement was so significant that it prevented the need for dialysis treatments, which the medical staff had already thought the Rav would require, Hashem spare us. Everyone clearly saw the infinite love and compassion of our Creator and Maker, may He be blessed, who hears the cry of the destitute and answers His people in times of distress.

Baruch Hashem, by the following Sunday, Morinu HaRav shlit"a returned to his home to the joy of everyone. He returned to pray with the holy congregation with tremendous renewal, with joy, at length, and with melodies. Fortunate are we that we merited to see the power of the Jewish people and the salvation of Hashem in the blink of an eye.

A Moving Story: Tears Like Water and Rabbi Berland's Preparation for the Seder Night

"Tefillah L'Ani" (Prayer of the Poor) is the name of the holy requests and supplications authored by Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a for the Jewish festivals. Whoever truly wants to taste the special flavor of the holiday of Pesach and the Seder night must contemplate the way the Rav shlit"a pours out his soul. With heart-rending cries and supplications to Hashem, may He be blessed, the Rav awakens all the spiritual worlds.

Tears Like Water on the Pages

It is well known and famous that the tzaddik authored these holy words amidst copious tears. One of the family members of Morinu HaRav shlit"a shared a chilling testimony about the moments when these exalted requests were written.

That relative once saw the Rav shlit"a sitting in his room, crying from the depths of his heart and pouring out an abundance of tears like water. Amidst these tremendous cries, the Rav brought forth the holy words and wrote them upon the pages.

The Decision to Reveal the Secret

Initially, the Rav shlit"a kept these writings to himself and had no desire whatsoever to publish them for the public. The holiness and intimacy of those moments before the Creator of the World were hidden away with him.

Only later, out of compassion for the souls of Israel and a desire to bring merit to the multitudes, did the Rav give permission to print and publish them. Today, in the merit of that agreement, every Jew can merit to connect to the great light of the tzaddik during the days of Pesach and cry out together with him to Hashem, may He be blessed.

A Story of Yearning for Hashem: A Rare Excerpt from the Words of Rabbi Berland

One of the students of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a shares a rare and moving excerpt from the holy words of the Rav. These words reveal a glimpse of the tremendous Divine service and the mighty yearnings of the tzaddik for the Creator of the World. Through these words, one can feel the holy fire burning in the heart of the Rav.

A Great Passion for the Creator of the World

In this special excerpt, the Rav turns to the Creator of the World with supplications from the depths of his heart, asking to awaken the inner will of all of Israel. "Please, my Father, Father of Mercy," the Rav cries out in his words, "draw us all to do Your will with a fierce desire, with true yearnings, with great passion."

The Rav continues and describes the intensity of love and devotion to Hashem, may He be blessed, which knows no bounds. "Until my soul is consumed on this night to run after You; my soul yearns, indeed it pines, for Your courtyards; my flesh and my body long for You." These words express the fierce desire to become completely nullified before the light of the Creator.

Meriting a Holy Body from the Garden of Eden

Further on, the Rav describes how the yearnings for Hashem penetrate into the physical body itself and sanctify it. "My heart and my flesh will sing joyously to the living God," he says, "on this day my kidneys will exult, along with all my 248 limbs and 365 sinews."

The Rav asks Hashem, may He be blessed, to merit absolute purity and both personal and collective Geulah (Redemption). He begs: "On the day that You draw me out of my exile, and merit me with a holy body from the Garden of Eden." This is a tremendous request to merit the refinement of the physical material to the point of attaining supernal spiritual comprehensions.

The Spiritual Level of Moshe Rabbeinu

At the conclusion of the excerpt, the Rav compares the desired self-nullification and devotion to the spiritual level of Moshe Rabbeinu, the "Raya Mehemna" (Faithful Shepherd). "Just as the Raya Mehemna merited when You sent him to Your children, when his flesh was then restored, his heart was transformed into a heart of flesh toward You."

The Rav concludes by describing the spiritual ascent of Moshe Rabbeinu as a role model for every Jew: "And he was drawn like water after You, until he merited to receive Your Torah, ascending to Your holy sanctuaries."

These holy words are not merely a personal expression of the tzaddik, but a call to every Jew to awaken his heart to the love of Hashem. Reading these words instills a spark of that holy fire of yearning within the reader's heart, awakening the soul to run after its Creator with love and joy.

A Special Story: The Excitement of the Posek of the Edah HaChareidis During the Baking of the Matzos

The following story took place about two years ago, at the height of the preparations for the holiday of Pesach. In one of the groups baking strictly kosher (mehudar) matzos in the holy city of Jerusalem, an atmosphere of holiness and alacrity prevailed. Among the many participants engaged in this holy work was one of the students of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

Mayim Shelanu (Water Rested Overnight) and Words of Holiness

That student took upon himself the responsible task of preparing the water and pouring it into the flour, a critical stage requiring great precision and care. Despite the strenuous work, he utilized every free moment he had. While waiting between one batch of dough and the next, he took a booklet out of his pocket and began to read from it with sweetness and devotion, reciting prayers composed by the Rav shlit"a.

Present in that same baking group was one of the prominent Morei Tzedek (halachic decisors) of the Badatz Eida HaChareidis shlit"a, who was supervising the kashrus of the matzos. He noticed the student reading enthusiastically from the small booklet, and his curiosity was piqued. He approached him and asked with interest: "What are you saying there? From which book are you reading?"

"Ah, Rabbi Eliezer!"

The student raised his eyes and replied simply that these were prayers written by our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. The moment the Moreh Tzedek heard the name of the tzaddik, his face lit up with immense admiration. He exclaimed with emotion: "Ah, Rabbi Eliezer! Give it to me, I also want to say it!"

He took the booklet from the student's hands and began to recite the prayer with tremendous emotion that was evident on his face. Those present stood in awe at the moving sight of one of the leading poskim (halachic authorities) pouring out his heart with such great devotion.

For those interested in obtaining these holy booklets that aroused the emotion of that important posek, they can be found at the "Ein Yaakov" store located opposite the shtiblach of Mea Shearim.

From Issue 82 — Parashas Metzora

From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications