The Tosh Rebbe zt"l: "All the Prayers of Klal Yisrael Pass Through the Yeshiva

The Holy Tosh Rebbe zt"l (of blessed memory): "All prayers pass through the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple), but the site of the Temple has been seized by the 'chitzonim' (external/unholy forces), and now all the prayers of Klal Yisrael (the entirety of the Jewish people) pass through the Yeshiva of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days)."

Today, the 27th of Av, marks the yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of the Tosh Rebbe zt"l from Canada, who was known as a great ba'al tzedakah (master of charity) and was extensively involved in pidyon shvuyim (the redemption of captives). The Rebbe was among the elders of the Rebbes in the USA and Canada and passed away at the age of 93.

Throughout his life, the Rebbe was known as a worker of wonders, and he had many Chassidim throughout the world. For many years, people would come to receive his blessing; however, in recent years, his gabbaim (attendants) did not allow everyone in due to his weakness. Over the years, the Rebbe used to read the Torah portion every Shabbos in the Great Beis Medrash (study hall/synagogue).

The Tosh Rebbe zt"l: "All the prayers of Klal Yisrael (the entirety of the Jewish people) pass through the Yeshiva of Rabbi Berland shlit"a"

Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Richter related that in the year 5752 (1992), when the gates to Uman were opened by the Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, certain rabbis in Breslov summoned him to a Din Torah (Torah litigation) in the Beis Din (rabbinical court) of the Edah HaChareidis to determine who would henceforth take responsibility for Uman, after the Rav and the "Shuvu Banim" community had been the pioneers for all those years in traveling to Uman.

During that period, a certain Jew told the Tosh Rebbe zt"l about the Din Torah and the entire controversy.

The Tosh Rebbe zt"l took his hat, placed it on his chest, adjusted his yarmulke (skullcap), and asked: "Is this the Rabbi who has the Yeshiva close to the site of the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple)?"

When they replied to him that it was so, the Tosh Rebbe zt"l answered: "May your hand be strengthened and may G-d be with you. They are the true Breslovers. All prayers pass through the Beis HaMikdash, but the site of the Temple has been seized by the 'chitzonim' (external/unholy forces), and now all the prayers of Klal Yisrael (the entirety of the Jewish people) pass through the Yeshiva of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a." The Tosh Rebbe zt"l further said to him: "Travel to the Land (of Israel) and there will be a great Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of G-d's Name)."

When the Jew returned to the Land to convey these words to Rabbi Berland shlit"a, the Rav said to him: "Last night, I handed over all of Uman to them." The Jew was distressed that he had come to the Land for nothing and asked Rabbi Berland: "Did I come to the Land in vain?" and the Rav replied to him: "No, it was worth the trip just so that you would pray in the Land (of Israel)."

In the final two years of the Tosh Rebbe's (zt"l) life, he suffered from pneumonia, and since then his health deteriorated. He passed away on the 27th of Av, 5775 (2015).