The Joy of a Tzaddik’s Home

The joy of the Brit for the great-grandson of the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a and the Mashpia, the honorable Rabbi Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein shlit"a ■ Our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a was honored with Sandakut ■ A fascinating lesson featuring historical stories about the self-sacrifice of the Anash (members of the community) who served Hashem in previous generations

On the 3rd of Nissan, the joy of the Brit took place for the mutual great-grandson of our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a and the Mashpia, the honorable Rabbi Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein shlit"a, son of R' Yisrael Shor, son of the honorable R' Moshe Shor shlit"a, and son-in-law of the honorable R' Nathan Rubinstein, son-in-law of the Nasi.

At 10:45, our teacher the Rav shlit"a entered the Brit which took place at his residence. The grandfather, R' Nathan Rubinstein shlit"a, was honored with the Chair of Elijah and Sandakut. Our teacher the Rav shlit"a was honored with the blessings, and the honorable R' Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein shlit"a was honored with standing for the blessings.

'May his name be called in Israel Shimon ben R' Yisrael Dov; just as he has entered the covenant, so may he enter into Torah, the Chuppah, and good deeds.'

[caption id="attachment_50363" align="aligncenter" width="618"] Our teacher the Rav giving a lesson at the Brit meal. Sitting beside him (from right to left) are the honorable R' Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein, our teacher the Rav shlit"a, R' Nathan Rubinstein, and the honorable R' Moshe Shor[/caption]

After the Brit, our teacher the Rav shlit"a sat down, washed his hands for the Brit meal, and began singing 'Shira Chadasha Shebchu Geulim' (A new song, the redeemed praised). After singing for several minutes, our teacher the Rav began delivering a lesson during the meal for about an hour, speaking words of fire and flame about the month of Nissan and the Nesi'im (princes). He also connected the name of the newborn—Shimon—to the portion of the Nesi'im, as well as other topics such as diligence regarding the Mikvah, etc...

In the second part of the lesson, our teacher the Rav shlit"a told of the wondrous and awesome service of the greatest servants of Hashem in Breslov of all time, full and overflowing with Breslov history as he received it from our teacher Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Bender zt"l. He also recounted with sweetness the miracle of the rescue from death of R' Eleh Chaim Rosin and R' Levi Yitzchak from the hands of the infamous Russian KGB.

[caption id="attachment_50372" align="alignright" width="618"] Our teacher the Rav at the Brit meal with the father of the child, R' Yisrael Shor[/caption]

After an hour of a most fascinating lesson, our teacher the Rav shlit"a began singing 'Shira Chadasha Shebchu Geulim...' again. After a few minutes, our teacher the Rav signaled with his holy hand, and they began singing 'Shir HaMa'alot' and Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals). The grandfather, the honorable R' Moshe Shor shlit"a, was honored with the special Zimmun for the Brit meal. In the middle of the blessings, our teacher the Rav shlit"a recited the 'HaRachaman' for the Brit meal in his clear and pure voice, with the entire congregation answering Amen.

[caption id="attachment_50368" align="alignright" width="618"] Our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a in a holy, fiery conversation with the Mashpia R' Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein shlit"a; sitting beside him is the father of the child, R' Yisrael Shor[/caption]

After Birkat Hamazon, our teacher the Rav shlit"a delivered another lesson with stories about the great 'servants' of Breslov in Poland, such as R' Hirsch Lippel, regarding their self-sacrifice to reach Uman.

After a fascinating fifteen minutes, our teacher the Rav began singing 'Yom LeYabasha Nehepchu Metzulot, Shira Chadasha Shebchu Geulim...' again for several more minutes. Afterward, our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a stood up, recited Kaddish, and entered his room at 12:35 while singing "U'Re'eh Banim LeVanecha..." (And may you see children to your children...).