The Wondrous Story of the Wedding of the Grandson of the Rav shlit"a in a Remote Village in Morocco and 4 More Stories

How was a magnificent wedding organized in a single day in a remote village in Morocco? A wondrous story of Emunas Chachamim (faith in the Sages), Divine Providence, and immense joy in the shadow of Morinu HaRav shlit"a.

The Wondrous Story of the Wedding of the Grandson of the Rav shlit"a in a Remote Village in Morocco

Hashem, may He be blessed, loves the tzaddikim, and there is no such concept as a tzaddik lacking anything. As it is written: "But those who seek Hashem shall not lack any good." Even when the tzaddik is in exile in Morocco, in a remote village, Divine Providence provides for his every need.

The Sudden Announcement About the Wedding

In those days, the groom, the bride, and all the wedding party arrived at the village. As with everything concerning the tzaddik, there was no organized plan in advance. No one knew what to do or how exactly they would manage to arrange a magnificent wedding in such a distant place.

Everything changed when Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a suddenly announced during one of his classes: "Tomorrow we are making a wedding here!" Until that moment, no one knew a thing about it. The tzaddik lives every single moment with Hashem, may He be blessed, and whatever Hashem wants—he nullifies himself to it completely.

Wondrous Preparations in the Heart of the Village

Immediately after the announcement, preparations began at a dizzying pace. The entire holy congregation staying there, about two hundred men and righteous women, enlisted in the work and began cooking. Miraculously, fish arrived at the location, an open miracle in itself, and suddenly a huge, magnificent hall was discovered, full of splendor and beauty, as if it had been prepared and waiting for this since the Six Days of Creation.

Towards evening, Morinu HaRav shlit"a arrived at the synagogue in great splendor and majesty. The face of the Rav was shining and radiating like the sun at midday, and the joy skyrocketed. The moving chuppah (wedding canopy) took place in the courtyard of the synagogue, right next to the holy tziyun (gravesite) of Rabbi Amram Diwan, may his merit protect us and all of Israel, Amen.

Thus, everyone merited to see tangibly how the power of the tzaddik and his pure faith in the Creator of the world paved the way for an immense and unforgettable joy.

A Story of Joy: The Immense Dance of Rabbi Berland with the Groom

One of the attendees at that special wedding recounts the moving moments that occurred immediately after the conclusion of the chuppah ceremony. The atmosphere was elevated, and the excitement accompanying the groom and bride was tangibly felt in the air. Everyone anticipated the continuation of the evening and the great joy that was about to erupt in the hall.

A Feast of Splendor and Majesty

Immediately following the chuppah, a seudas mitzvah (festive mitzvah meal) prepared with great splendor and majesty awaited the guests. The tables were set in a dignified manner, and all sorts of fine delicacies were served upon them to honor the occasion. Although there was no possibility of bringing meat for the feast, the abundance and beauty completely made up for it, and the joy of the participants was complete and genuine.

Dances of Holiness for Hours on End

The climax of the wedding arrived when Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a appeared in the hall. The moment the Rav entered, the atmosphere changed completely, and the presence of the tzaddik breathed a new spirit of enthusiasm into the entire crowd. The Rav shlit"a immediately approached the groom, took his hand, and began to dance with him with immense and incomprehensible joy.

The dancing did not stop for a moment, and the joy only grew from moment to moment. The Rav danced with the groom with holy enthusiasm for hours on end, until the early hours of the morning, radiating light and vitality upon all those present. The moving sight of the ceaseless dancing strengthened all the participants, leaving an unforgettable impression of holiness and true joy of a mitzvah in everyone's heart.

A Moving Story: When the Arab Musicians Joined the Circle of Joy with Rabbi Berland

In the middle of an uplifting wedding celebration, an extraordinary event took place that left all those present speechless. It was a moment of spiritual elevation in which the verse was fulfilled: "And all the nations of the earth shall see that the name of Hashem is called upon you."

Unexpected Guests at the Wedding Celebration

Suddenly, right in the middle of the wedding, a group of local Arabs appeared. They arrived dressed in special traditional clothing, holding ancient musical instruments, drums, flutes, and various other instruments. Overwhelmed with awe and joy from the holiness that rested upon the place, they entered the hall and began to drum and play with great enthusiasm. It was a wondrous and miraculous scene, where ancient music blended with pure Jewish joy.

Sanctification of Hashem's Name in the Dance Circle

Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, seeing the awakening and joy of the local musicians, immediately drew them close. The Rav shlit"a brought them into the circle of dancers, and the joy in the place skyrocketed. The shared dancing created a unique atmosphere of extraordinary spiritual elevation.

The entire event became a great and tremendous sanctification of Hashem's Name in the eyes of all present. The moving sight reminded everyone of the promise of the days of Mashiach, as it is written: "Let the nations be glad and sing for joy."

The Story of the Journey to Zimbabwe: Miracles in the Heart of the African Jungle

Departing from Morocco and Moving to Africa

Until now, only a tiny fraction has been told about the period of exile of Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a in Morocco. There are many more wondrous stories about the Rav's stay in this country, but at a certain point, the local authorities decided to deport him. Consequently, the tzaddik was forced to leave Morocco and moved to the next destination in his turbulent journey—the country of Zimbabwe in Africa.

In the Heart of the Dangerous Jungle

With the arrival of the Rav shlit"a in Zimbabwe, a long and wondrous chain of miracles and the overriding of the laws of nature began. Morinu HaRav shlit"a stayed in a hotel that was located right next to the wild forests of Africa. This area is a dense jungle filled with many dangerous predators, including lions and leopards roaming freely.

Many tourists from all over the world come to this place to witness the wonders of nature. Due to the immense danger, it is a closed and highly secured compound with strong fences, designed to protect those staying there. The fear of predators in the area is so great that tourists are only allowed to enter the jungle area inside an armored vehicle and under heavy guard.

Specifically there, in the heart of danger and in a place where wild nature rules powerfully, the holiness of the tzaddik was revealed once again. The presence of the Rav shlit"a in the place proved that whoever fears the Creator of the Universe, the entire creation fears him, and open miracles accompany him in every place and in every situation he reaches.

A Wondrous Story: The Tzaddik Practices Hisbodedus (secluded prayer) in the Jungle Among Predators

Hisbodedus (secluded prayer) in the Heart of the Dangerous Jungle

Reliable witnesses tell of a period when Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a stayed near a terrible and dangerous forest. Day after day, the tzaddik would enter the dense jungle, a place swarming with predators and dangers.

He would stay there for many hours, immersed in deep Hisbodedus (secluded prayer) and attachment to the Creator. He did all this without any fear or dread of his surroundings, despite the tangible danger that hovered in the air.

A Wondrous Sight Near the Carcass of the Ox

One day, someone merited to see a wondrous and incomprehensible sight. He noticed the Rav shlit"a practicing Hisbodedus (secluded prayer) in absolute tranquility right next to the carcass of a giant ox, which had been preyed upon shortly before by a lion.

This event generated great publicity of Hashem's Divine Providence and caused a tremendous sanctification of His Name. All the residents and guards in the area saw with their own eyes how the entire creation nullifies itself before the tzaddik.

This vividly illustrated the verse: "And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth." Because the tzaddik guards his holiness and has never tasted the taste of sin, all the beasts of prey tremble and shake before him, and they have no dominion over him.

From Issue 79 — Parashas Balak

From the series "Tzaddik Moshel Yiras Elokim" (A Tzaddik Rules in the Fear of God) — the "Shapir Amar Nachmani" newsletters