The angels have triumphed over the strong ones, and the Ark of the Covenant has been captured. A heavy mourning in the world of Torah, the esteemed righteous kabbalist Rabbi Alter David Chaim Stern ztz"l, one of the elder righteous kabbalists of our generation, has passed away at the age of 93.

We present to you the words of the kabbalist, the esteemed righteous Rabbi Alter David Chaim Stern ztz"l from Bnei Brak, in a wonderful testimony he gave during the Three Weeks of 5776 about our esteemed teacher, the righteous Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

As an additional connection that seems necessary to make, we add and attach after Rabbi David Stern ztz"l's testimony, in honor of the 40th yahrzeit of the Steipler ztz"l (23 Av 5745), his touching letters written by Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, the Steipler ztz"l, about our teacher, the esteemed righteous Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

The kabbalist, the esteemed righteous Rabbi Alter David Chaim Stern shlit"a from Bnei Brak:

They came to me regarding the esteemed, righteous, and holy Rabbi Eliezer ben Atia Berland shlit"a. I have known this righteous man for over fifty years, we have spoken, talked a lot, conversed.

He was for many years the study partner of the brother-in-law of the Chazon Ish, the esteemed Steipler. Rav Berland was then still a young scholar, and I asked the Steipler about him, I wanted to know what he said.

The Steipler told me, "Know - he is knowledgeable in the entire Torah, he is a righteous and holy man."

And this is a testimony from the mouth of the great one of the generation ztz"l, and it is as clear as the sun that the Steipler had true divine inspiration, there is no one who disputes this.

I knew Rabbi Berland shlit"a, we had many connections, many matters, he is a Jew elevated above others, there is no such Jew who was entirely kindness and mercy, when he had money he distributed it all immediately to charity.

A Jew who distributes so much charity and performs acts of kindness, it is clear to us that Hashem rests His presence on such a person, for one who has mercy on creatures is shown mercy from Heaven. Consequently, Hashem rests His presence upon him, and Hashem will guide him as He understands, and it is clear to all of us that we hope and yearn for the good Hashem to perform miracles and wonders.

Others do not know Rabbi Berland shlit"a as I knew him, and others did not ask the Steipler what I asked about him. Rabbi Berland was a young scholar when the Steipler was the great one of the generation, he was much older than him, yet he was his study partner and they would learn together for hours every day. This connection interested me, and therefore I asked the Steipler, this is what I told you before.

Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a is holy and pure.

The Steipler ztz"l's Letter about the Esteemed Righteous Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a:

With Hashem's help, the night of Monday, Parshat Toldot 5727

The esteemed Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, one of the cherished scholars of the Volozhin Kollel,

I have been informed by the most trustworthy sources that his situation is very strained and complicated with many debts, and I kindly request anyone who can help him to do so,

and it will be a great and immense merit for him, and not every day does such a precious mitzvah occur

The one who pleads with great request

Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky

Bnei Brak, Chazon Ish neighborhood

Another Letter of the Steipler ztz"l about the Esteemed Righteous Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a:

There is a booklet named 'Avnei HaMenorah' - laws, customs, and stories, and it is a compilation of teachings, prayers, psalms, and songs for the days of Chanukah...

Published by the fund of R' Natan z"l in memory of R' Natan ben R' Naftali Karlebach... Established by Breslov Chassidim to assist grooms... - Second edition Kislev 5739 Bnei Brak.

On page 48 - excerpted from a booklet of Rabbi Mordechai Menachem Marcus ztz"l who printed it in the name of his teacher, the righteous, holy, and pure Rabbi Ephraimel ztz"l...

At the end of the book, a recommendation from Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky - ... The esteemed young scholar excelling in Torah and fear of Heaven, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a is engaged in the great mitzvah of marrying off brides to Torah scholars from the Breslov Yeshiva (and in my reading, it is named after the fund of R' Natan Karlebach z"l)...

Recommendation of Rabbi Wosner and the Jerusalem Beit Din.