The Story of the 5749 Journey: When Rabbi Berland Subdued the Communist Regime

A wondrous story from the year 5749 (1989), in which Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a led 250 people to Uman with self-sacrifice, breaking the decrees of the Communist regime through the power of emunah (faith) alone.

Stories about the opening of the path to the tziyon (gravesite) of our holy Rebbe, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov zy"a, are an endless spring. As Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a always says, one can see Divine Providence eye to eye. It is almost impossible to explain this to anyone who does not remember that era, when the path was completely closed and sealed under a Communist regime that cast terror and fear upon the entire world. Just mentioning their name made people tremble, but Hashem, may He be blessed, did, does, and will do all deeds, and the kingship is Hashem's, and He rules over the nations.

In a single moment, through the self-sacrifice of Jews faithful to Hashem and His Torah, the entire Iron Curtain fell. The general of the army who went before the camp was The Rav shlit"a, who declared a war for Hashem against Amalek and risked his life countless times without any fear. The Rav shlit"a always says: "Fear is the hardest kelipah (spiritual shell). Because if I believe in Hashem, may He be blessed, that He is with me everywhere, what room is there for fear?"

The Decree in Kiev and the Decision to Travel to Uman

It is fitting to tell the wondrous story of the journey in the year 5749 (1989), one of many journeys where the Divine Providence and wonders of Hashem, may He be blessed, were clearly seen. That year, two hundred and fifty people traveled, but when they arrived in Kiev, the Russians announced that there was only permission for fifty people to stay in Uman for Rosh Hashanah. One can understand the terrible sorrow that enveloped everyone in those moments.

Immediately, cries and dancing began in order to sweeten the judgments, and as usual, everyone turned to The Rav shlit"a, knowing that he is the leader. Through the power of his pure emunah (faith) and self-sacrifice, Hashem, may He be blessed, shatters doors of copper and cuts down bars of iron. The Rav shlit"a commanded that everyone must go to Uman, not a single person missing, and they all boarded the buses.

The Russians were astonished and asked: "What are you doing? It is impossible, there is only permission for fifty!" The Jews answered them that everyone is traveling now, and later there will be a lottery to see who will stay. However, when they arrived in Uman, The Rav shlit"a ordered that everyone enter the hotel, even though there was only room for fifty people.

Facing the Regime's Threats: "No One Shall Fear"

And indeed, everyone entered the hotel. The Rav shlit"a ordered them to drag out the time until right before the onset of the Yom Tov (festival), and then it would be impossible to return because the holiday would have already begun. That is exactly what happened. The Russians literally started making threats, but The Rav shlit"a calmed everyone and said: "No one shall fear, and Hashem, may He be blessed, will help."

When it was very close to the holiday, the Russians ordered everyone to board the buses and return to Kiev. However, the Jews answered them that this was out of the question, because we do not desecrate a Yom Tov, Heaven forbid. Hashem, may He be blessed, showed miracles and wonders, and the Russians simply surrendered. This was the first time that such a large congregation merited to be in Uman for Rosh Hashanah.

At the hillula (anniversary of passing) of our holy Rebbe during the subsequent holiday of Sukkos, the pious tzaddik Rabbi Michel Dorfman zt"l highly praised The Rav shlit"a. He declared publicly before the entire congregation that everything we merited came about entirely through the self-sacrifice of the people of "Shuvu Banim."

When they told this to The Rav shlit"a, they thought it would make him happy. However, the tzaddik, upon hearing this, turned as pale as chalk from the sheer distress of being honored. A short time later, a great machlokes (dispute) had already begun, and certainly, the tzaddik himself brought it about. For with The Rav shlit"a, his way is to erase and conceal all the tremendous things he accomplishes, by drawing all sorts of disputes upon himself.

From Issue 80 — Parashas Shoftim

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