This One Will Comfort Us • The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

At the beginning of the month of Mercy and Forgiveness (Elul), the world of Torah and Chassidus was struck with shock upon hearing the difficult news of the histalkus (passing away) to the heavenly realms of the holy Kabbalist, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Alter David Chaim Stern zt"l (of blessed memory), from the city of Bnei Brak.

A long-standing friendship bound yibadel lechaim tovim (may he be distinguished for a long life) our teacher, the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days) and the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Alter David Chaim Stern zt"l. This connection led the Rav shlit"a to specially leave his holy residence and make the effort to travel to the city of Bnei Brak to comfort the distinguished family.

On Monday, the night of the 9th of Elul, on the final day of the shiva (seven-day mourning period), the Rav shlit"a arrived around 12:25 AM at the house of mourning on Sokolov Street in Bnei Brak, where the family members were sitting shiva for the passing of their great father.

The Rav shlit"a stayed with the mourners for about twenty minutes, comforting them with words of Torah and words of eulogy regarding the greatness of their father zt"l, and shared majestic stories of his acquaintance with him during the era of the Steipler Gaon, when he studied with him as a chavrusa (study partner). During the Nichum Aveilim (comforting of the mourners), the Rav even mentioned halachic (Jewish law) topics that were said as a way of providing strength and comfort to the mourning family.

Upon concluding the visit, the Rav rose from his place, recited Kaddish (memorial prayer), and while exiting, continued to speak in praise of the greatness of the Tzaddik, the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Alter David Chaim Stern zt"l.

Below is documentation of the condolence visit (Photo: Shmily Stern):