The Story of Terrible Suffering: The Days of Rabbi Berland's Arrest in the Zimbabwe Exile and 4 More Stories

A harrowing story about the period of exile of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, in Zimbabwe, the persecutions by the authorities, and the terrible suffering he endured during his days of arrest.

The Story of Terrible Suffering: The Days of Rabbi Berland's Arrest in the Zimbabwe Exile

The period of exile of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, was accompanied by difficult trials and many hardships, which carried within them immense mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice). One of those hidden and difficult chapters occurred during the Rav's stay on the African continent. After several months in which the tzaddik stayed in exile in the country of Zimbabwe, the local authorities suddenly began to harass and relentlessly persecute him.

The Persecutions and the Sudden Arrest

These persecutions by the authorities grew increasingly severe, until they reached a particularly painful climax when they decided to arrest the Rav. The tzaddik was taken by local security forces and held in custody for about a day and a half, Rachmana litzlan (May the Merciful One save us). The stay in the African prison was accompanied by harsh and alien conditions, far from any Jewish environment or minimal living standards.

Suffering That No Creature Knows

The hours that passed during that arrest were saturated with great suffering. "It is completely impossible to fathom the terrible suffering of the tzaddik," testify those who witnessed that period. No creature in the world can truly know or understand the magnitude of the suffering, the humiliations, and the agony that the tzaddik endured in that dark place.

Despite everything, the Rav accepted all these hardships with love and in silence. His suffering in the Zimbabwe exile remains a silent testimony to the immense mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) of the tzaddik. He carried on his shoulders the burden of the entire generation through the absolute acceptance of suffering, for the sake of sweetening the judgments over the people of Israel.

A Chilling Story: When Rabbi Berland Held the Atom in His Hands

May Hashem protect us when we consider the depths to which the humiliation and terrible persecution against our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, reached. The persecutors did not rest and were not quiet until they acted, Rachmana litzlan (May the Merciful One save us), to place handcuffs on the holy hands of the angel of Hashem of Hosts. They did this for only a few minutes, just so they could photograph him in this degrading state and distribute the picture. But behind the scenes of this humiliation, an immense and awesome spiritual secret was hidden.

The Secret of the Handcuffs and the Sweetening of Judgments

After that difficult event, the Rav shlit"a spoke and revealed a glimpse of the immense spiritual work he accomplished in those moments. "When the handcuffs were on my hands, I held the atom in my hands," the Rav said.

It turns out that through the terrible suffering and humiliation that the Rav accepted upon himself with love—suffering that no creature in the world could have endured—he brought about immense salvations. In those moments of disgrace, the Rav sweetened the hovering decree of the atomic threat over the people of Israel.

This story once again illustrates the magnitude of the tzaddik's mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice). He takes upon himself the most difficult suffering and disgrace, only to protect the souls of Israel and save the entire world from harsh and terrible decrees.

A Chilling Story: How the Suffering in the Zimbabwe Prison Sweetened the Pain

One of the sons-in-law of our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, shared a chilling testimony that illustrates the magnitude of the suffering the Rav accepts upon himself with love. The story begins during the difficult period when the Rav stayed in Zimbabwe, when the son-in-law merited to be in his presence and assist him with his medical needs.

Terrible Suffering in Zimbabwe

In those days, the son-in-law was the one who usually treated the legs of our teacher, the Rav shlit"a. He relates that the task of treatment was unbearable and accompanied by immense pain. Every time he had to change the Rav's bandages, they would stick tightly to the wounded skin of his legs.

Removing the bandages caused truly terrible suffering, and the wounds would bleed profusely with every new change. "May Hashem protect us, it was simply impossible to treat him like this," the son-in-law shared with pain as he recalled those difficult and incomprehensible moments.

The Wondrous Sweetening in Holland

A period of time later, when the Rav shlit"a was staying in Holland, his son-in-law once again came to stay with him. This time too, he went in to treat the Rav's legs, but to his great surprise, he discovered a significant change in the situation.

Although there was still suffering and pain, the condition was much better and it was possible to treat the legs reasonably well. The surprised son-in-law could not hide his astonishment, and he shared with Morinu HaRav shlit"a his observation that there had been a noticeable improvement in the condition of his legs.

The tzaddik's answer was chilling and revealed a glimpse of the highest spiritual conduct. The Rav answered him simply that through the harsh and terrible suffering he endured in the prison in Zimbabwe, the harsh judgments and the suffering of his legs were sweetened (mitigated).

This story illustrates how the tzaddik accepts every suffering and hardship with love, and how suffering in one place atones and sweetens judgments in another place, all with mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) for the sake of the Jewish people.

A Wondrous Story: When Rabbi Berland Left Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls Dried Up

An awesome and wondrous story occurred after Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a was forced to leave the country of Zimbabwe. Immediately after the expulsion of the tzaddik, the country was struck by a severe and unusual drought, the likes of which the local elders could never remember. All of nature reacted to the injustice that was done, and the consequences were not late in coming.

The Drying Up of Victoria Falls

The famous Victoria Falls, considered one of the wonders of the world and attracting tourists from all over the globe, were always overflowing with mighty waters. There are even spectacular photos showing the tzaddik doing hisbodedus (secluded prayer) near these falls, with massive streams of water rushing in the background. But suddenly, within a terrifyingly short time, everything became completely dry.

Photos published during those days showed how these gigantic falls had dried up completely, and soon weeds began to grow in the parched riverbed. The severe situation even led to the spread of diseases, Heaven spare us. Initially, the local residents did not understand what had suddenly happened and what the reason was for the natural disaster that had befallen them.

The Delegation of Forgiveness and Blessing

After some time, the heads of state realized that this was a punishment from Heaven for expelling the tzaddik from their land, and that the curse of Hashem was resting upon them because of the harm done to him. Without delay, they sent a distinguished delegation from the royal court to locate the Rav shlit"a and beg him for forgiveness and pardon. To this day, there are photos documenting the arrival of the honorable delegation to the Rav.

The Rav shlit"a, with his exalted character traits, received the members of the delegation with a radiant countenance. He held no grudge against them, and immediately granted them complete forgiveness. Furthermore, the Rav blessed them that from now on everything would return to its proper state and abundance would continue to flow in their land.

The miracle was not late in coming. Literally immediately after that meeting and receiving the blessing, heavy rains of blessing began to fall in Zimbabwe. The mighty falls returned to their former state and began to pour massive amounts of water with roaring intensity, exactly as they had been in the past. The entire event caused great reverberations, and brought about a tremendous Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God's Name) all over the world, as everyone saw the immense power of the tzaddik.

A Story About the Exile in Johannesburg and the Tremendous Tikkunim in the World

When we contemplate the journeys of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, we understand that we have no true comprehension of the significance of every single step. Hashem, may He be blessed, led the tzaddik of the generation into exile in Johannesburg twice, and the ways of Divine Providence are hidden.

Who can fathom what tremendous tikkunim (rectifications) and sweetening of judgments the Rav accomplished in every place he reached? In every city and country where his feet tread, he drew down a spirit of supernal purity from on high, and sanctified the Name of Hashem in public with immense mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice).

The Miracle in Morocco and the Spreading of Emunah

One of the amazing testimonies illustrating the power of the tzaddik in his exile occurred when he was staying in Morocco. It was told that while the tzaddik was there, a wave of teshuvah (repentance) was awakened among about three hundred Jewish women who had married Arabs, Heaven spare us. In the merit of the Rav's holiness and presence, those women gathered courage, fled their homes, and returned to their Judaism with a whole heart.

Just as it is written regarding Avraham Avinu, peace be upon him: "Go forth from your land and from your birthplace," so too the Rav shlit"a wandered from place to place. In every place he reached, he publicized the Name of Hashem in the world and illuminated the lost souls of Israel, showing everyone the way back to our Father in Heaven.

Divine Providence Above Nature

The exiles of the Rav shlit"a served as a tremendous publicization of faith in Divine Providence. Anyone who followed the unfolding of events saw tangibly that there is no such thing as nature or coincidence in the world. Everyone saw how Hashem, may He be blessed, watches with an open eye over His faithful servants, who sacrifice themselves for the sanctification of His blessed Name.

Despite all the persecutions, and even though according to all natural calculations his pursuers should have succeeded, Heaven forbid, reality proved otherwise. Hashem, may He be blessed, is the Master of the world, and He alone did, does, and will do all deeds. He is the One who frustrates the counsel of nations and thwarts the plans of peoples, exactly as it is written: "Devise a plan, and it will be foiled; speak a word, and it will not stand, for God is with us."

From Issue 79 — Parashat Pinchas

From the series "A Tzaddik Rules in the Fear of God" — "Shapir Amar Nachmani" publications