The Esteemed Righteous Kabbalist Rabbi David Chaim Stern ztz"l with an Amazing

The angels have overcome the righteous, and the Ark of the Covenant has been captured. A heavy mourning in the world of Torah: the Gaon and Tzaddik, the Mekubal Rabbi Alter Dovid Chaim Stern zt"l, one of the elder righteous Mekubalim of our generation, has departed to his eternal home at the age of 93.

We bring before you the words of the Mekubal, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Alter Dovid Chaim Stern zt"l from Bnei Brak, in a wonderful testimony he gave during the Three Weeks of 5776 regarding our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

As an additional connection that feels almost mandatory to make, we add and append after the testimony of Rabbi Dovid Stern zt"l, in honor of the 40th yahrzeit of the Steipler zt"l (23rd of Av 5745), the moving letters written by Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, the Steipler zt"l, about our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

The Mekubal, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Alter Dovid Chaim Stern shlit"a from Bnei Brak:

People came to me regarding that Gaon, Tzaddik, and holy man, Rav Eliezer ben Atiya Berland shlit"a. I have known this Tzaddik for over fifty years; we have spoken, we spoke a lot, we conversed.

For many years, he was the chavrusa of the brother-in-law of the Chazon Ish, the Gaon, the Steipler. Rav Berland was then still a young avreich, and I asked the Steipler about him; I wanted to know what he had to say.

The Steipler told me, "Know that he is proficient in the entire Torah; he is a righteous and holy man."

This is testimony from the mouth of the Gadol HaDor zt"l, and it is as clear as the sun that the Steipler possessed true Ruach HaKodesh—there is no one who disputes this.

I knew Rav Berland shlit"a; we had many connections, many matters. He is a man who is elevated above the people; there is no such other Jew who is entirely kindness and mercy. Whenever he had money, he would distribute it all immediately to tzedakah.

A Jew who distributes so much tzedakah and performs acts of kindness—it is clear to us that Hashem causes His Shechinah to rest upon such a person, for one who has mercy on the creations is treated with mercy from Heaven. Consequently, Hashem causes His Shechinah to rest 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 Rav Berland shlit"a as I knew him, and others did not ask the Steipler what I asked about him. Rav Berland was a young avreich at the time when the Steipler was the Gadol HaDor; he was much older than him, yet he was his chavrusa, and they would study together for hours every day. This connection interested me, and that is why I asked the Steipler; this is what I told you before.

Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a is holy and pure.

The letter of the Steipler zt"l regarding the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a:

With the help of Hashem, the eve of Monday, Parshat Toldot, 5727.

The Gaon Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, one of the cherished students of the Volozhin Kollel,

It has become known to me from the most trustworthy sources that his situation is very difficult and complicated by many debts, and I ask that anyone who has the ability to help him should do good for him,

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

Thus speaks the one who prays with great request,

Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky

Bnei Brak, Shikun Chazon Ish

Another letter from the Steipler zt"l regarding the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a:

There is a booklet called 'Avnei HaMenorah' - laws, customs, and stories, and it is a collection of Torahs, prayers, psalms, and songs for the days of Chanukah...

Published by the Keren R' Natan z"l, in the name of R' Natan ben R' Naftali Carlebach... founded by Breslov Chassidim to assist grooms... - Second edition, Kislev 5739, Bnei Brak.

On page 48 - copied from a booklet of the Gaon, etc., Mordechai Menachem Marcus zt"l, who printed it in the name of his teacher, the righteous, holy, and pure Rabbi Afrimel zt"l...

At the end of the book is a recommendation from Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky - ... The dear avreich, who is outstanding in Torah and fear of Heaven, Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, is engaged in the great mitzvah of Hachnasat Kallah for the Torah scholars of the Breslov Yeshiva (and in the name of the Keren R' Natan Carlebach z"l)...

The recommendation of Rabbi Wosner and the Badatz of Jerusalem.