What is the First Thing the Tzaddik Asks for After Returning from an Exile of Over Five Years?

For five and a half years, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, has been suffering the heavy yoke of exile on behalf of us all. Moving from one continent to another, hopping from country to country, and even there, from house to house, from one temporary residence to another. True, Morinu HaRav Berland was never heard complaining; on the contrary, he always strengthens and imparts the light of Emunah (faith) to everyone near him. Nevertheless, if there was anyone who mistakenly thought that now is the moment for the Rav shlit"a to settle the score a little with all those plotting evil against him—that perhaps now, having returned to the very spot from which he departed into bitter exile, the Rav would try to take revenge and pay back his persecutors in the same coin...

Absolutely not. Immediately upon Morinu HaRav Berland shlit"a's arrival at his home on HaChoma HaShlishit Street, the Rav released a message that perhaps summarizes somewhat the path of this awesome Tzaddik. It is a path that is entirely lowliness and humility, boundless Ahavas Yisrael (love for fellow Jews), a love of Torah that has almost no equal, and the main thing—absolute nullification to the will of Hashem, may He be blessed. These are the words of the Rav shlit"a:

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"There is no permission to harm the complainants. There is no permission to show them a sour face. One must help them with financial support and stipends. To lift them higher and higher, to give them all the honor and mutual assistance. If one meets them in the street, just smile at them, shake their hand, and carry them on one's palms as it is written: 'And they shall bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders' (Isaiah 49:22). And to applaud them." Thus opens Morinu HaRav Berland shlit"a his message to all who heed his words.

"To dance with them in the streets and give them all the honor due to them, because everything is in their merit. Everything we merited—to deliver classes every day for 3 hours on Ketzos HaChoshen, and the prayers, 4 hours of Mincha-Ma'ariv prayers every night—it is all in their merit. Just to strengthen them, to encourage them, to give them all the honor in the world. Also to help them financially; if you see they are lacking something, donate to them. Also donate to their conferences, encourage them, and spur them on to hold more and more gatherings, because all of this is ships of diamonds. As it is written regarding the Time to Come, that one grape will fill an entire ship, and Baruch Hashem, they are filling ships of diamonds for us."

"Every success of Shuvu Banim is in their merit. All the success that occurred in Holland and Johannesburg (the Rav mentions other cities abroad)—it is all in their merit. Just encourage them and strengthen them. And Shuvu Banim will completely renew the face of the country, [on condition] that they commit to learn every day 4 hours of Ketzos HaChoshen, 4 hours of Likutey Moharan, and 8 hours of Gemara. Because whoever is more of a scholar is more capable."