The Last Shabbat Before the Trip to Uman with Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

Also on Shabbat Parshas Ki Savo, the last Shabbat before the trip to Rebbe Nachman zy"a (may his merit protect us), we merited a sublime Shabbat with Rabbi Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days), who stayed with the congregation for about 11 and a half hours for prayers and uplifting lessons.

The Rav shlit"a entered the prayer hall at 4:40 PM before sunset for the Mincha (afternoon) prayer. At the conclusion of the prayer, Korbanos (sacrificial offerings) were recited followed by the singing of "Utzu Etza." This was followed by the Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming the Shabbat) prayer, Lecha Dodi, V'Shamru, and after the prayer, the regular Zemirot (songs) that the Rav shlit"a is accustomed to singing, Shalom Aleichem, Kah Ribon, and more. At their conclusion, the Rav delivered a short lesson and returned to his holy residence at 9:20 PM.

Before the Rav returned to his home, the Rav shlit"a sang the well-known Breslov melody "Saleinu Al Kiseinu" (Our baskets are on our shoulders), which is related to the portion of the Bikkurim (first fruits) read this Shabbat in Parshas Ki Savo, and the Rav spoke about the preparations for the trip to Uman.

On Shabbat morning, the Rav shlit"a entered for prayer at 5:15 AM, and after a fifteen-minute lesson delivered from the Rav's permanent place in the prayer hall, the Rav began the morning Zemirot, Shacharit (morning prayer), with all the regular, stirring melodies. During the Torah reading, the Rav was called up for the sixth Aliyah (honor of being called to the Torah) in the blessings, and after the Torah reading, he sang for 58 minutes "Yekum Purkan" and "Zara Chaya V'Kayama" (prayers for the welfare of the community and viable offspring), followed by Musaf (additional prayer), Kiddush (sanctification over wine), and a lesson of several minutes.

At 6:32 PM, the Rav entered the prayer hall again, and after the Mincha prayer, there were Zemirot for 20 minutes, and Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals) with Sheva Brachos (seven blessings) for a groom.

After the Maariv (evening) prayer, the Rav shlit"a entered his home for two minutes and came out again for the Melaveh Malkah (post-Shabbat meal) with all the Zemirot and spoke again about the importance and greatness of the trip to Uman. At 11:21 PM, he returned to his home.

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