The massive and deeply moving prayer gathering at the Tombs of the Patriarchs in Hebron with The Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a — on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Elul 5782

On the eve of Rosh Chodesh Elul—the month of mercy and Selichos—dozens of buses from across the country brought thousands of inspired worshippers, men, women, and children, to the gateway of souls to Gan Eden: the Cave of Machpelah.

Immediately after the conclusion of the Ma’ariv prayer in Jerusalem—amid a great multitude and to the holy melodies of Rabbi Berland shlit"a and the holy congregation of Shuvu Banim—everyone set out toward the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron for the prayer gathering.

As is his holy custom, Rabbi Aharon shlit"a began reciting the seven sections of The Tikkun HaKlali together with the large crowd that had started gathering opposite the seventh step at the Cave of Machpelah. The community, waiting for The Rav, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, prepared their hearts with a stirring public prayer. Between one chapter of Tehillim and the next, Rabbi Berkovitz added words of strength and awakening.

Immediately upon the completion of the seven sections of The Tikkun HaKlali, The Rav, Rabbi Berland shlit"a arrived at the tomb complex and advanced to the place prepared for him opposite the seventh step. Without delay or any further preparation, The Rav shlit"a continued by reciting another seven sections of The Tikkun HaKlali—with self-sacrifice and tremendous arousal.

From these holy sights, one can receive a small taste of the atmosphere of majesty and spiritual elevation that came upon everyone who attended this important gathering.

After the public recitation of The Tikkun HaKlali—together with melody—The Rav shlit"a delivered his holy words, and in the end announced: “Everyone who came to the gathering is considered as though he stood at the moment of receiving the Torah.”

And as at every prayer gathering—to sweeten harsh judgments, draw salvations for the people of Israel, and open the pathways for the holy kibbutz in Uman for Rosh Hashanah—immediately after the Torah words of Rabbi Berland shlit"a, the orchestra began to play. The entire holy community broke into dancing, for as Rebbe Nachman said: “וְהָיָה עֵקֶב תִּשְׁמְעוּן”—through lifting the heels in dance, we sweeten the judgments.

A Moving Photo Gallery from the Prayer Gathering in Hebron

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