The Esteemed Rav Berland shlit"a is Released Straight into the Giant Sukkah Set

Our Sages expounded on the verse, "Light is sown for the tzaddik, and joy for the upright of heart" (Psalms 97), that after the entire month of Elul and the subsequent days of Selichot until after Yom Kippur, the people of Israel have straightened their hearts through the service of teshuvah (repentance) and soul-searching. By doing so, they have built a holy vessel with which they can receive the joyous days of the festival of Sukkot, and the verse is fulfilled in them: "and joy for the upright of heart."

With the help of Hashem, we shall apply these words, so fitting for the time and the occasion, to describe what we are experiencing today. After nearly five years of exile and endless suffering endured by the students of our teacher and master, the Gaon HaTzaddik Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, as well as by everyone with a Jewish soul within them, the moment of "and joy for the upright of heart" has arrived. Indeed, there is nothing that straightens the heart more than the suffering and persecution endured by everyone who witnessed the murderous dance of falsehood surrounding Rav Berland shlit"a.

Yes, we are bearers of good tidings; at this very hour, the difficult imprisonment of the Gaon HaTzaddik our teacher Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a has ended, and there is no better time to celebrate this than during the festival of Sukkot, of which it is said, "And you shall be joyful in your festival." Thus, after long and moving prayers were held throughout the days of Sukkot at the home of Rav Berland shlit"a, which attached everyone's heart to Heaven, tomorrow, with the help of Hashem, our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a will go out to pray in the Sukkah built opposite his home, but this is only the beginning.

On the upcoming holy Motzaei Shabbat of Chol HaMoed Sukkot, a massive Hillula is planned in honor of the 207th anniversary of the passing of the Butzina Kadisha, the tzaddik who is the foundation of the world, our teacher Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. In honor of the occasion, and on this festive opportunity of the release of our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a, a giant Sukkah has been built on HaChoma HaShlishit Street opposite the home of the Rav shlit"a. This Sukkah is the largest in the world, with an area of 66 square meters and a length of 150 meters, spanning the entire HaChoma HaShlishit Street in Jerusalem.

Throughout the days of the festival, the Sukkah will serve as the central hospitality center for pilgrims in Jerusalem, as it is located directly on the main path to the Western Wall, both for those walking from Damascus Gate and those walking from Jaffa Gate. It will also serve as the central stage for the Hillula of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. The greatest Breslov rabbis shlit"a will participate in the Hillula itself, as well as the greatest Chassidic singers, and near midnight, our teacher the Gaon HaTzaddik Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a will deliver a discourse.

Never before has such a massive event been remembered for the Hillula of Rebbe Nachman, a production whose costs amount to hundreds of thousands of shekels. Many thousands from all over the country are expected to participate in the giant event in honor of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and to celebrate the release of our teacher the Rav shlit"a.

The Moreh Tzedek HaGaon Rav M. Sirota shlit"a of the Eda HaCharedit, as well as the community Moreh Tzedek Rav Nachman Cohen shlit"a, were involved in the kashrut certification of the Sukkah.

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Photos courtesy of Aharon Solomonovich shlit"a