The Joy of a Tzaddik’s Home — The Bris of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a’s Great-Grandson

The Bris celebration for the great-grandson of the gaon and holy Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a and the chassidic mentor, the chassid Rabbi Yehoshua Ber Rubinstein shlit"a ■ The Rav, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, was honored as Sandak ■ A fascinating shiur filled with historical stories about the self-sacrifice of our people—servants of Hashem—in earlier generations

On Tuesday, 3 Nissan, the Bris celebration took place for the shared great-grandson of The Rav, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, and the mashpia, the chassid Rabbi Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein shlit"a—the son of Rabbi Yisrael Shor, grandson of the chassid Rabbi Moshe Shor shlit"a, and son-in-law of the chassid Rabbi Natan Rubinstein, a son-in-law of the Nasi’s household. At 10:45, The Rav shlit"a entered the Bris, which was held in his home. The honored one for Eliyahu’s Chair was the grandfather, Rabbi Natan Rubinstein shlit"a. The Rav shlit"a was honored with the Sandak role and with the blessings, and Rabbi Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein shlit"a was honored to stand for the blessings. “And his name was called in Israel: Shimon, son of Rabbi Yisrael Dov. Just as he has entered the covenant, so may he enter Torah, the wedding canopy, and good deeds.”

[caption id="attachment_50363" align="aligncenter" width="618"] The Rav giving a shiur at the Bris meal; seated beside him (right to left): the chassid Rabbi Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein, The Rav shlit"a, Rabbi Natan Rubinstein, the chassid Rabbi Moshe Shor[/caption]

After the Bris, The Rav shlit"a sat down, washed his hands for the Bris meal, and began singing “Shirah Chadashah, praise, O redeemed ones.” After several minutes of singing, The Rav began delivering a shiur during the Bris meal. For about an hour he spoke fiery, flame-like words about the month of Nissan and the Nesi’im. He also connected the name of the newly circumcised baby—Shimon—to the Torah portion of the Nesi’im, along with several other topics, such as alacrity in going to the mikveh, and more…

In the second part of the shiur, The Rav shlit"a spoke about the wondrous and awe-inspiring avodah of the great “workers” of Breslov in every generation—rich 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 rescue from death of Rabbi El’eh Chaim Rozin and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak at the hands of the infamous Russian KGB.

[caption id="attachment_50372" align="alignright" width="618"] The Rav at the Bris meal with the baby’s father, Rabbi Yisrael Shor[/caption]

After an exceptionally captivating hour-long shiur, The Rav shlit"a again began singing “Shirah Chadashah, praise, O redeemed ones…” After a few minutes, The Rav signaled with his holy hand and they began singing “Shir HaMa’alos,” followed by Birchas HaMazon. The grandfather, the chassid Rabbi Moshe Shor shlit"a, was honored with the special zimun for the Bris meal. In the middle of the blessings, The Rav shlit"a recited in his clear and pure voice the “HaRachaman” that is said for a Bris meal, with the entire congregation answering Amen.

[caption id="attachment_50368" align="alignright" width="618"] The Rav, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, in fiery words of holiness with the mashpia Rabbi Yehoshua Dov Rubinstein shlit"a; beside him sits the baby’s father, Rabbi Yisrael Shor[/caption]

After Birchas HaMazon, The Rav shlit"a delivered an additional shiur with stories about the great Breslov “workers” in Poland, from Rabbi Hirsch Lipl, about their self-sacrifice to reach Uman. After a riveting quarter-hour, The Rav again began singing “The sea turned to dry land… Shirah Chadashah, praise, O redeemed ones…” for a few more minutes. After that, Rabbi Berland shlit"a rose, recited Kaddish, and entered his room at 12:35, as “U’re’eh vanim l’vanecha…” was sung.