Story: They Opened the Holy Book Toldos Yaakov Yosef and Found Exactly What They Were Discussing / An Amazing Story

Story: They Opened the Holy Book Toldos Yaakov Yosef and Found Exactly What They Were Discussing

This wonderful story took place a few years ago when the tzaddik returned to his home after several years of exile and wandering across numerous countries, enduring persecution and imprisonment, may Hashem protect us. The prayers with the tzaddik began with tremendous vitality every single day in the early hours of the morning, as well as Minchah and Maariv.

One young man from the holy communities in the Holy Land told his friend that he wanted to go pray with the Rav shlit"a in the early morning. However, his friend told him that he thought this would be bitul Torah (neglecting Torah study). They decided to open a holy book to see what was written there. They opened the holy book Toldos Yaakov Yosef, and it opened to a passage that read: "When one wants to go to the tzaddik, the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) incites him not to go, claiming that it is bitul Torah." They miraculously received a clear answer.

Amazing Story: Rabbi Berland's First Words After a Difficult Surgery

There is no end to the immense, boundless passion of the tzaddik of the generation for the holy Torah. Whatever we recount and describe will not even touch the tip of the iceberg of the desire, will, and burning fire in the heart of the tzaddik of our generation for the words of the holy Torah. As has been told many times, the love for Torah of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a is beyond all human comprehension.

A Difficult Surgery and General Anesthesia

A few years ago, Morinu HaRav shlit"a underwent a difficult and complex surgery that required general anesthesia. There is no need to explain the condition a regular person is in after a surgery, especially such a difficult and complicated one.

Usually, it takes a person a long time to recover in the recovery room. The patient is in a state of immense weakness, often unable to move or think clearly, and their entire body aches and throbs from the medical procedure they just underwent.

The Breathtaking Awakening in the Recovery Room

However, for the tzaddik of the generation, the laws of nature operate differently. After the doctors finished the surgery, the Rav shlit"a began to wake up from the anesthesia. Immediately upon opening his eyes, even before fully recovering, the amazing words emerged from his mouth: "Where is the book Shaarei Yosher?"

The holy fire burning in the pure heart of the tzaddik of the generation nullifies everything. In a single moment of awakening, all the limitations of nature dissolve and vanish as if they never existed. The first and only thought that filled the Rav's mind immediately upon regaining consciousness was the instant connection to the study of the holy Torah.

Amazing Story: Rabbi Berland's First Request After Surgery

A Jew who was close to Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a related an amazing fact that testifies to the Rav's immense mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) for the holy Torah. It is known that the Rav shlit"a has endured many tribulations and medical treatments, yet his mind is never distracted from Torah study, even in the most difficult moments.

The Surprising Request in the Recovery Room

This person described an event that occurred recently, right after the Rav shlit"a underwent surgery. Usually, a person waking up from a complex medical procedure needs a lot of rest, suffers from pain, and asks for time to recover. But for the true tzaddik, reality is completely spiritual, and the body is nullified before the soul.

As soon as he recovered slightly from the surgery, the very first thing he did was ask for one single thing. The Rav shlit"a turned to those around him and immediately asked them to bring him the book Ketzos HaChoshen.

Absolute Immersion in the Holy Torah

The moment the book was placed in the hands of the Rav shlit"a, a true miracle occurred. Despite the weakness of his body and the effects of the surgery he had just undergone, the Rav did not waste even a single moment on physical rest.

He immediately immersed himself in deep study of the holy Torah, as if he had not undergone any medical procedure just moments before. Those standing around were left in awe at the uplifting sight, which clearly demonstrated how the Torah is the true elixir of life for the tzaddik.

This story illustrates to us once again the magnitude of the holiness and immense immersion of the Rav shlit"a, whose entire vitality and existence are solely in the Torah of Hashem, in every situation, at all times, and without any interruption.

From Issue 81 — Parshas Tzav
From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" newsletters