The Advice in Breslov – Miracles of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

BS"D B'R"H (With the help of Heaven, With the help of Hashem)

"I am calling to tell you, members of the 'Knishta Chada' newsletter, about the open miracles that occurred to me," begins Yechia Kahalani in his conversation with us. "For six years, files in the Hotza'ah La'Poel (Execution Office/Debt Collection Agency) weighed heavily upon me. Although, after two years, I succeeded with Siyaata Dishmaya (Divine Assistance) to close two files, a large debt to the Mirs company remained. I tried as much as I could to negotiate with them to remove this yoke from my heart, and I even used the services of a professional lawyer. However, to my regret, nothing helped. The more I tried to solve the problem, the more stubborn they became about not reaching a settlement with us."

To our joy, we are accustomed to inquiries from various people who are eager to tell us about open miracles and revelations of Divine Providence connected to the name of The Rav shlit"a. The heart is never sated from discovering how far the scope of the influence of the 'Faithful Messenger' reaches, to places beyond the comprehension of a mortal mind. However, every so often, stories reach our ears that reveal different points to us, those that expose a small handbreadth while concealing dozens of others.

"I live in Kiryat Sefer and am married to a woman suffering from a difficult chronic illness," Yechia continues his unusual story. "After my portion of suffering increased, I decided to make contact with Rabbi Berland shlit"a, who at that time was residing in Beitar. Right at the beginning of establishing contact, the occurrence was wondrous; when I began to tell The Rav shlit"a my name, The Rav finished the name himself, even though he ostensibly did not know me before and it was not known to him who was speaking with him. My intention in the conversation with The Rav was solely to arouse mercy regarding the condition of my wife, shetichye (may she live). 'Do not worry, she will be healthy,' The Rav shlit"a remarked to me. 'I will go at two in the morning to the hospital, Ba'a'h'y't (with Hashem's help), and I will bless the patient.' Indeed, there was great relief in her condition, and when my wife was discharged, we went together to thank The Rav. At that gathering, The Rav shlit"a recited 'Kriat Shema' (declaration of faith) with us, and we both felt a great light illuminating our souls."

For people who are somewhat familiar with the work of The Rav shlit"a, this story still sounds standard for his environment. However, from here on, even those who have heard many stories are surprised by The Rav's unique way. "My wife's condition deteriorated greatly, so I called The Rav to ask that he effect yeshuos (salvations) for us. The Rav spoke with me for three minutes which were like Gan Eden (Garden of Eden) on earth for me, but suddenly The Rav turned to me, asking if I knew what the advice in Breslov is. Without waiting for an answer, he continued and said: 'The advice in Breslov is to study for eight hours and to dance for eight hours.' At first, I did not understand The Rav's intention; these things seemed too high for me. The Rav, who understood this, said to me immediately, 'Good, now we will sing with you, and you will dance.'

At that time, I was in the middle of my work, so I took a break and moved to a more isolated room. There, I sang and danced with The Rav for another twenty minutes, while in the background I heard all the people who were with The Rav singing together with us. On this occasion, I want to thank Natan Edri sheyichye (may he live), The Rav's Gabbai (attendant), who truly toiled and made efforts for me to make contact with The Rav shlit"a, who was staying in Holland at that time. And also to Rav Rachamim Bracha, who connected me to the devoted team of Gabbaim," adds Yechia Kahalani parenthetically.

"Almost immediately afterward, we obtained an excellent caregiver through Divine Providence, who improved her condition drastically. This in itself restored the joy to our lives, but simultaneously, another miracle occurred for us that we had hardly thought about. Suddenly, my lawyer calls me and tells me about a 'strange' occurrence that happened to him. This is what he relates: 'The lawyer for the Mirs company contacted me and asked me for help regarding a certain matter. I told him there was no problem, but in exchange, I needed help as well. He agreed, and thus we immediately reached a settlement in your lawsuit. You know?' the lawyer asks me. 'Together with you, many others also merited a quick solution to their problem.'

"This was three days before Rosh Hashanah," Kahalani continues his story as if that were not enough. "Following the removal of the restrictions, I merited to fly to the Holy Kibbutz (gathering) in Uman, while on the way, miracles visited me one after another. Great Siyaata Dishmaya (Divine Assistance) in obtaining the ticket on such short notice, and many others on the way to the Tzaddik."