The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a Accepts Suffering Upon Himself to Sweeten the Decrees – Prayer Gathering at Rachel's Tomb

Terrible Decrees Upon the People of Israel

On Friday morning (Parshas Shelach 5779), our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days), spoke difficult words in the hospital where he is staying. "The Tzaddik sees terrible decrees that are going to befall the People of Israel, a war between Iran and America that will harm Israel – millions will be killed – the Iranians have endless weapons!"

"So the Tzaddik took upon himself actual death, fasting a ta'anis hafsaka (a continuous fast) from Shabbos to Shabbos. As a result, the Tzaddik finally collapsed on Tuesday evening, but he continued not to eat in the literal sense, nourished only by an IV (intravenous drip)."

"The Tzaddik is ready to die for the People of Israel!"

One must remember that our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, has only one kidney, and when he took upon himself such mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) of fasting for the entire week – his kidney became dehydrated.

The Tzaddik Sheds Blood So That All the Decrees Will Be Nullified

Yesterday, Sunday of Parshas Korach 5779, the Rav added further on the same matter and said: "Rebbe Nachman vomited bowls of blood to sweeten (mitigate) the decrees. A war almost broke out between Iran and America because of the plane {the American drone shot down by the Iranians}, and at the last second, it was sweetened."

"The Tzaddik sheds blood so that all the decrees will be nullified. Today (yesterday) is the 20th of Sivan, it is literally like Yom Kippur, an atonement for sins. Yom Kippur is the time of the Second Tablets; therefore, the Tzaddik had to empty his entire body so that there would be a receiving of the Torah anew."

Our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a added and said, "Anyone who connects to the Rav is with him at Mount Sinai. The Rav is at Mount Sinai."

The People of Israel Continue in Prayers with Mesirus Nefesh for the Tzaddik

The Tzaddik, our teacher the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, has been in the hospital for nearly a week. Even there, the Rav continues with mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) to sweeten the harsh decrees from upon the People of Israel. The People of Israel, who observe all the deeds of the Tzaddik (at least those visible to the human eye), cannot stand by and remain silent. On Sunday night, a massive prayer gathering (atzeres tefillah) took place at the Kosel (Western Wall) for the healing of our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a.

Yesterday, Monday night of Parshas Korach, multitudes arrived from all over the country for a prayer gathering and outcry at the tomb of Rachel Imeinu (our Mother Rachel) in Bethlehem. At 5:00 PM, the public recited the book of Tehillim (Psalms), followed by the Mincha (afternoon) prayer with a large crowd, immediately after which the public continued and recited three Tikkun HaKlalis (The General Rectification) together. Finally, they prayed the Maariv (evening) prayer together with the special melody of the Tzaddik.

Buses from all over the country brought the masses to the site of the holy tomb. From Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Ashdod, Elad, Rosh HaAyin, Modi'in, Beit Shemesh, and Beitar. The atmosphere of "It is a time to act for Hashem" hovered in the air.

Even those who were prevented and could not reach Rachel Imeinu (our Mother Rachel) recited Tehillim (Psalms), each in their own place.