The Admor of Tolna and Rav Berland shlit"a at the Brit of Rabbi Stein in Bnei

Yesterday, the second night of Chanukah 5780, our teacher, the holy Gaon Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, arrived in Bnei Brak for the holy Brit of R' Nachman Stein. Rav Berland shlit"a served as the Sandek, while the Admor of Talna shlit"a also attended the Brit. Everyone who arrived at the holy Brit of the son of Rav Nachman Stein was privileged to feel the light of Chanukah; the air was permeated with holiness. But who is Rav Stein, and how did he come to our teacher, Rav Berland shlit"a?

After we clarified the details behind the drawing close of Rav Stein to our teacher, Rav Berland shlit"a, a story was revealed that, more than anything, teaches us about the ways of Divine Providence.

Rav Nachman Stein, before he drew close to Rav Berland shlit"a, was a Belzer Chassid. After hearing about the Torah gatherings and the awakening in the city of Ashdod, where he resides, he decided that he must come and hear the words of Torah from Rav Berland shlit"a.

The connection was immediate. As he testified, he was instantly drawn to the words of Torah, seasoned with holiness and fear of Heaven, that emerged from the holy mouth of Rav Berland shlit"a. But that was not the only thing that led him to become a Breslov Shuvu Banim Chassid. After he participated in the Torah gatherings of Rav Berland, he received, of course, an urgent phone call from those who persecute Rav Berland.

'Hello, is this Rav Stein speaking?' they asked with brazen insolence.

'Yes, to whom do I have the honor of speaking?'

'This is [name withheld] who wants to understand why you went to the Torah class of Rav Berland?'

'Because I wanted to strengthen myself in spirituality, which indeed happened, and what is it your business anyway?'

Due to the holiness of the content we upload to the site, we will not detail the rest of the conversation, but it is important to note that Rav Nachman Stein, as a man of truth who sought pure fear of G-d, did not relate to the empty words of that dissenter, and in fact, only drew closer and closer to Breslov Chassidut and to our teacher, Rav Berland shlit"a.Now, at the holy and joyful occasion of the Brit Milah, he was privileged to have our teacher, Rav Berland shlit"a, serve as the Sandek at his son's Brit, while the Admor of Talna shlit"a arrived to honor the event with his presence.

After the conclusion of the Brit Milah celebration, our teacher, Rav Berland shlit"a, continued to an emotional meeting in Bnei Brak, at the holy residence of the Admor of Spinka shlit"a. The two holy seraphim, together with the students, rejoiced and danced for a long time, until finally, Rav Berland began to speak words of Torah.

Photography: Yanki Zucker from the holy city of Ashdod

Editing: Shuvu Banim Int'l