The Moving Prayer Gathering in Hebron with Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

The massive and moving prayer assembly at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron with our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a - Eve of Rosh Chodesh Elul 5782

On the eve of Rosh Chodesh Elul, the month of mercy and forgiveness, dozens of buses from all over the country brought thousands of excited worshippers—men, women, and children—to the gateway of souls to the Garden of Eden: the Cave of the Patriarchs.

Immediately following the conclusion of the Ma'ariv prayer in Jerusalem, held with a large crowd and the holy melodies of our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a and the holy community of Shuvu Banim, everyone departed toward the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron for the prayer assembly.

As is his holy custom, Rabbi Aharon shlit"a began the recitation of the 7 Tikkun HaKlali with the large crowd that had begun to gather in front of the seventh step at the Cave of the Patriarchs. The public, awaiting the arrival of our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a, prepared their hearts with a moving communal prayer, while between the recitation of one Psalm and another, Rabbi Berkowitz added words of chizuk (strengthening) and spiritual awakening.

Immediately upon the conclusion of the recitation of the 7 Tikkun HaKlali, our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a arrived at the burial site and proceeded to the place prepared for him in front of the seventh step. Without delay or further preparation, our teacher the Rav shlit"a continued with the recitation of another 7 Tikkun HaKlali with self-sacrifice and great spiritual awakening.

From the holy scenes, one can grasp a portion of the atmosphere of majesty and transcendence that enveloped all who came to this important assembly.

Upon the conclusion of the communal recitation of the Tikkun HaKlali and the singing, our teacher the Rav shlit"a delivered his holy words, finally announcing: "Everyone who came to this assembly is considered as if they were present at the Giving of the Torah."

And as in every prayer assembly for the sweetening of judgments, the drawing down of salvations for the people of Israel, and the opening of the paths for the holy gathering in Uman for Rosh Hashanah, the orchestra began to play immediately after the words of Torah from our teacher Rav Berland shlit"a. The entire holy crowd began to dance, for as Rebbe Nachman said: "And it shall be, because (eikev) you listen"—by lifting the heels (akeiv) in dance, one sweetens the judgments.

A moving photo gallery from the prayer assembly in Hebron