Last night, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a arrived at the mourner's tent at the home of the great Gaon, member of the Chief Rabbinate Council and Chief Rabbi of the city of Be'er Sheva, Rabbi Yehuda Deri zt"l (of blessed memory).

As we published here last week, during the time when the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, returned to the land and stayed in the detention center in Be'er Sheva, the city's Rabbi, the Gaon Rabbi Yehuda Deri zt"l, cared deeply for the Rav shlit"a and for the Anash (our community) who were around him. Last week, after the difficult news arrived from the hospital, Rabbi Deri's son spoke with the Rav shlit"a and told him that the family was waiting for the Rav shlit"a to come and offer comfort. The Rav shlit"a, who is known for his attribute of Hakaras HaTov (gratitude), decided to respond to the family's request and traveled specifically from his residence in Jerusalem to the mourner's tent in the city of Be'er Sheva. When he arrived at the mourner's tent, the Rav shlit"a comforted the distinguished family members, among them the next Chief Rabbi of Be'er Sheva—Rabbi Avraham Deri shlit"a—and spoke of his father's greatness. After comforting his sons, the genius Rabbis, he continued his condolences to the rest of the distinguished family members—the brothers of the Deri family, including Minister Rabbi Aryeh Deri, the chairman of the Shas movement. The Rav shlit"a said several words of comfort and concluded with, "May you be comforted from Heaven." Although the place was bustling with comforters from all corners of Israel, including Rabbis, Admorim (Chassidic Rebbes), government ministers, and various senior officials—even the head of the Shin Bet was there at the time—the family members, including Rabbi Aryeh Deri, stopped the other comforters and listened to the words of consolation from the Rav shlit"a. It should be noted that besides the Gabbaim (attendants) and Askanim (community activists) who arrived with the Rav shlit"a, several of our Anash (community members) from the city of Be'er Sheva and even some from Jerusalem merited to arrive upon the Rav's departure and accompany him back to his holy home in the Holy City of Jerusalem, may it be rebuilt and established speedily in our days, Amen.

Before you is a photo gallery from the condolence visit (Courtesy of the Hitchedshus bulletin):