כנישתא חדא גליון 41 חודש סיון תשע"ה Chodesh Sivan 5775 in english

בס"ד בר"ה

In the name of God, blessed be He.

Knishta Chada, Issue 41, month of Sivan, 5775 (June 2015).

ר' שמואל הורביץ זצוק"ל

Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, may his memory be a blessing.

An amazing story recently recounted in the "Kav haMeida"  by Rabbi Aharon Berlin, the rabbi of the Breslov Beit Midrash in Flatbush, USA, and the first disciple of our master, Rabbi Shlita. "When I was a young man, I used to travel almost every Erev Rosh Chodesh to Meron together with Rabbi Berland. On one of the trips to Meron, I saw Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, may his memory be a blessing, sitting and contemplating for a long time while Rabbi Berland was praying the Amidah prayer. I could clearly see that he was focused on hearing and watching him. I waited for a good opportunity and approached him, asking him what he thought of Rabbi Berland. After pondering for a moment, he said to me, 'You should know that of all the people I have seen in my life, I have never seen anyone pray with such fire and intensity. I have never seen anything like it!' So I said to him, 'What do you mean? You have seen all the great ones of Breslov (from the previous generation). You haven't seen anything like this before?' Then Rabbi Shmuel replied, 'All the great individuals I have seen in Poland and Oman, in the end, they were righteous people, but they were still within the realm of human beings. But here, we are dealing with an angel of God. You are not speaking about a human being. It's not even a comparison; it is completely different.' And he added, 'I have never seen such intensity of the mind either.'"

Anyone who knew Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz knows that he was very careful with his words, and if he said something like that, it was truly so without exaggeration.

Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, may his soul be blessed, whose extraordinary and selfless life story was written by him and published in the three-volume book "Yemei Shmuel," drew closer to Breslov in the Land of Israel in the year 5720 (1960). For twenty years, he struggled to reach the gravesite of Rebbe Nachman in Uman, and after countless efforts, he finally arrived in Uman in the year 5729 (1969) with sublime self-sacrifice. There he met the elders of Breslov from the previous generation and then traveled to Lublin to meet other elders of Breslov. For three years, he collected all the letters and stories that existed, including the letters of the tzaddik Rabbi Avraham, son of Rabbi Nachman, may his soul be blessed, and returned to Israel to have them printed. Thanks to him, we now have the books of Rabbi Avraham. Rabbi Shik, may his soul be blessed, once wrote about him, "If not for Rabbi Shmuel, not even a single leaf of Rabbi Avraham's books would have remained." He also told me once that when he had the opportunity to print the book "Biur HaLikutim," he had a dream in which Rabbi Avraham appeared to him, kissed him on the forehead, and said, "This is because you devoted your soul to publishing my books." There are also many letters that Rabbi Shmuel collected and have yet to be published, and one of them was sent to us by the esteemed Rabbi A.B.C., may he be well (הרב החשוב א.ב.ח שליט"א), who desired its publication. It is a letter from Rabbi Ga'atzil, a student of Rabbi Avraham, and this is the wording of the letter:

On Friday, at noon, the 8th of Tammuz, 5742, Rabbi Avraham, may his soul be sanctified, emerged from the mikveh (ritual bath), and after dressing in Shabbat attire, he was filled with tremendous enthusiasm and fervor. With immense attachment, he proclaimed, "For approximately fifty years, a beautiful and exceptional young man will arise, one who will renew the matter of our Rebbe with a new revelation that has never before occurred. This will bring about a tremendous revolution in the matter of redemption, and it will be a great blessing for the entire world. Amen, may it happen swiftly in our days."

Rabbi A.B.C., may he be well (הרב א.ב.ח שליט"א), the Rabbi of the Breslov synagogue in the center of the country, who imparts teachings throughout the land, shared with us that upon seeing this letter, he immediately stated that everything fits perfectly with our Rebbe, may he be well. It seems that Rabbi Avraham ben Rabbi Nachman was referring to the Rebbe who, after approximately fifty years, was born and became the "beautiful and exceptional young man" who renewed the matter with a new revelation, and so on. Additionally, in addition to the known holy spirit that Rabbi Avraham ben Rabbi Nachman possessed, there was a book in his possession called "Megillat Sitarim" (Scroll of Secrets) in which the entire process of the arrival of the Redeemer is recorded, what will happen and how. Our Rebbe commanded that it remain a secret until the appropriate time, and only one person in each generation would be permitted to hold it. Several times, Rabbi Avraham hinted at things recorded in the scroll, and this is likely one of those things. It is understandable why Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz expressed himself in such a manner regarding the Rebbe.

After we published these words in the newsletter, a Jew approached us and mentioned the name Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz in the following manner: "A person who is like an angel, they don't make them anymore. But an angel like Rabbi Eliezer Berland, who knows to what levels he has already reached..." (I have encountered individuals who have attained the rank of an angel. But a true angel like Rabbi Eliezer Berland - who knows to what levels he can ascend...)

ישראל בער אודסר זצוק"ל (הסבא)

Israel Dov Odesser, may his memory be a blessing (the grandfather), was born in the year 5686 (1926). Despite being 50 years older than our revered Rabbi (may he live long and healthy), they had a significant connection, as we mentioned in previous newsletters, where the Rabbi would visit the grandfather, and the grandfather would visit him. In a later interview with Rabbi Berlin, he revealed more about what he heard from Rabbi Israel Odesser concerning our revered Rabbi:

Rabbi Aharon Berlin said, "I used to travel to the Western Wall with Rabbi Berland many times, and on the way, we would visit Rabbi Israel Odesser, who lived in Givat Shaul. We would hear specific stories from him about his teacher, Rabbi Yisrael Karduner, things that only he knew. One time when I visited him, we spoke about baalei teshuvah (those who have returned to religious observance), who were starting to draw closer at that time. Rabbi Yisrael said to me enthusiastically, 'The path of Rabbi Berland to bring people closer is good. Rabbi Berland has the power to bring the world back to repentance.' I told him that a day before the outbreak of the Six-Day War, Rabbi Berland said that there would be harsh judgments, and he danced the entire day at Yeshivat Breslov to the Russian anthem, as our Rebbe said that in order to subdue a nation that is oppressing Israel, one must sing their national anthem. We were amazed at how Rabbi Berland knew that a war was about to break out and how he danced with complete self-sacrifice the whole day. I told all of this to Rabbi Israel Odesser. He then said to me, 'I've been telling you for a long time that his eyes truly see.' To listen to the full interview on the "Information Line," extension 43311.

מוח חריף

Sharp Mind

Rabbi Yaakov Tzuker was interviewed on the information line after returning from Holland, and during the 40-minute conversation, he told a story from a few years ago. He mentioned that he once had a joyful family event, and there was a wise student among his prominent students who studied under the esteemed Rabbi Elyashiv, may his memory be a blessing. In recent times, this student came to study with Rabbi Tzuker, may he be protected. That same student said to Rabbi Yaakov Tzuker, "I wouldn't say this anywhere else, but know that your rabbi has a sharper mind than Rabbi Elyashiv!" Rabbi Tzuker replied, "Why am I telling you this? I have no interest in comparing the righteous. I just wanted to express my admiration for Rabbi Berland and the great praise that, despite his sharp and quick mind, I see the rabbi praying for hours on end with such sweetness and delight, which is a great novelty. Because with all the people I've seen who have a sharp mind, they must finish their prayer quickly because it's impossible to linger in one place. But your rabbi is entirely different, he has both an unmatched sharp mind and prayers with patience and sweetness that are not seen anywhere else!"

רופא חולים

Rofei Cholim

One of the students of the rabbi who stayed in Holland traveled to Antwerp on Friday to buy food for the entire community. He entered the study hall of the Pshavelsk Hasidim, and the Hasidim honored him with a breakfast. During this time, he engaged in a conversation with a Hasid who told him with a broken heart about his 10-year-old daughter who had contracted the terrible disease "L." She was already in critical condition, and due to the treatments, she had lost most of her hair. The family was on the brink of despair, not knowing what to do, and so on. The young man tried to encourage him with some words of strength and then said to him, "There is a holy and wondrous righteous man just an hour and a half away from you, who has already saved many patients from the known illness. Why don't you go to him? Despite the difficult situation, perhaps there will be salvation for you." The Jew had not heard of Rabbi Berland, so the young man sat with him and told him several stories about the Rabbi, ultimately persuading him to come.

On Sunday, the Jew arrived in Holland and prayed Mincha and Maariv with everyone. He was deeply moved by the prayers, which he had never seen such prayers in his days. After the prayer, he approached the Rabbi and poured out his painful heart, asking, "What can we do for our daughter?" The Rabbi told him to give a monetary redemption for her healing and said that all the troubles, diseases, and sufferings were due to a lack of modesty in the family. He told him to tell his wife to cover her hair according to Jewish law and to walk in modesty, and he promised that all diseases and cancer would disappear. The Jew faithfully and simply fulfilled what the Rabbi had told him, and the next day, on Monday, he arrived with the amount for the redemption and told the Rabbi that his wife was following everything the Rabbi had said. The Rabbi told him to go in peace and not to worry, as everything would disappear.

On Wednesday, the Jew returned to the village again to look for the Rabbi, but the Rabbi was already in Amsterdam. The young man saw him and asked about his well-being, and the Jew excitedly said, "I have no words to thank you! It's truly an open miracle!"

We took our daughter to the hospital for further chemotherapy treatment, and as before every treatment, the doctors examined the tumor. But this time, they were astonished. The tumor was not there at all! Everything had disappeared! The doctors couldn't believe what their eyes were seeing. Even the non-Jewish doctors said it was a great miracle from heaven, and they had no explanation for it." So he wrote a thank-you letter to the rabbi and added an additional sum of money for redemption, which he gave to the aforementioned young man to deliver to the rabbi. The young man handed it over to the rabbi, who was happy and said with utmost humility and self-nullification, "Miracles of our holy rabbi," and he told him to inform his wife not to eat anything with flour and to only eat bread made from sifted wheat.

The operators of the salvation hotline of our esteemed rabbi, may he be well, told us that such stories happen almost every day with our esteemed rabbi, and God willing, they will soon provide us with more stories to publish. Anyone who has an urgent request for the rabbi, the rabbi is very willing to help everyone, and therefore, he requested that a direct hotline be opened for inquiries that come directly to him. Today, it is easier than ever to directly approach the righteous leader.

The phone/fax numbers and email of the salvation hotline are published at the end of the newsletter.

הרב ברנדסדורפר

Rabbi Chaim Elazar Brandsdorfer, may he be well, the son of Rabbi Meir Brandsdorfer, may his memory be a blessing, was with our esteemed rabbi, may he be well, during that week and saw the letter from his father. He said that he is no longer amazed by the miraculous stories of the rabbi because he has already heard thousands of miracles from the rabbi and knows for a long time that all these miracles are easy for the rabbi. But what amazed him was what he saw: that by the movement of his holy hands alone, the righteous one could awaken the hearts of Jews who are far from Torah to become true baalei teshuva (those who have returned to observant Jewish life). He had heard a few years ago from a baal teshuva who was very distant from Judaism, who told him how the rabbi brought him close to Judaism without saying a word. Rabbi Brandsdorfer did not understand how that could be until this Shabbat, when he had the privilege of seeing it with his own eyes while being with the rabbi in Holland. He ate the Friday night meal at the rabbi's home and waited for the rabbi to speak words of Torah, but for hours the rabbi sang songs and did not speak. "I saw with my own eyes, several people who were there, who came from abroad. I saw that only when they looked at the light that the rabbi created with his hands during the singing, I saw a transformation in their eyes, more than any words can express. They were drawn closer to the blessed One."

Rabbi Brandsdorfer recounted his father's closeness to our esteemed rabbi, may he be well, and how his father respected him in an exceptional manner. His father said that Rabbi Berland has a great merit, as he has brought thousands of Jews back to teshuva. Rabbi Brandstatter shared that he lost many agreements during the four days he spent in Holland, but it was all worthwhile, and he encourages everyone to travel there and receive strength because there is no comparison between hearing and seeing. Even if someone is inspired by the stories they have heard about the rabbi, seeing it with their own eyes is an entirely different experience.

ומתיר אסורים

Umatir Assurim

Here's another story that was published in the information line. There was a Jew who was very distant from Judaism, an Israeli who had lived in Holland for 30 years. He got into a lot of trouble with the authorities and the court decided to give him three years in prison or pay a sum of 1.8 million euros in one payment. His brother, who had become close to our esteemed rabbi, may he be well, a few years ago, told him about the greatness of the rabbi and his miraculous deeds. After some time, he convinced him to come to the rabbi. He went to the rabbi, and since the court decision had already been made, he asked the rabbi to perform a miracle so that they would allow him to pay the million euros in installments because he didn't have that amount of money, and if he didn't pay, he would go to jail. The rabbi told him to give a pidyon (redemption) and said, "No judgment will be upon you," and wrote a prayer for him to say before the court. In the meantime, he would occasionally travel to the rabbi to strengthen himself and study Torah. He told his brother that he didn't understand why he kept going; his entire Judaism had so far been summed up by putting on tefillin once at his bar mitzvah and entering the synagogue once on Shabbat before his wedding. So he couldn't explain why he was making a two-hour trip to the rabbi every time. It was still hard for him to believe in what the rabbi promised him, that he would come out clean without any judgment, but the rabbi said that he would mention a general rectification for him, and he shouldn't worry at all; he would come out free. After the appeal trial, the rabbi sent someone to the courthouse to tell him to go to the lake and recite the general rectification until the decision was made, and he did so. As soon as he finished the general rectification, the phone rang, and his two lawyers on the phone were excitedly saying that the judges' decision was nothing! There was no prison sentence, and there was no obligation to pay any money! He couldn't believe his ears. Later, his lawyers called him and asked what he had done to receive this decision because it wasn't due to our work. What happened here that changed the decision?! We don't know how the decision changed, but he knew, and he knew very well who and what changed the decision.

מוות קליני

Clinical Death

In the latest newsletter, we mentioned the well-known story of the clinical death of Mrs. Ruti Levi, how the rabbi saved her from the heavenly court, and the rabbi's response to the story. We published her phone number and email for verification of the story. She received many inquiries through the newsletter, and she requested that we publish the story so she wouldn't have to tell it to each person separately. So, with the rabbi's approval, we opened a dedicated line for women called "Knishta Chada" (One Synagogue), and we included the full story of Mrs. Ruti, along with other stories, Torah insights, and interviews intended for women. (Keneshta Hada line: 054-253-5134, extension 8, for women only).

For the benefit of the public, we present here the addition she wrote to us about what happened after the story of the clinical death and her soul's return to Earth.

After I made a promise to the heavenly court that I would repent, I immediately repented. However, it only lasted for about four months because my husband was secular, and it was challenging. So, once again, I was secular for another 11 years until I got divorced in 2006. I really wanted to be righteous, and may God bless me, He enabled me to buy a modest apartment. And one day, about two and a half years after my divorce, a young man came to my apartment to collect donations for a yeshiva in Jerusalem. I asked him, "Who is your rabbi?" He told me, but I didn't recognize his rabbi. So, he took out a picture from the bag he had in his hand, and I was shocked. It was the Sanigor from the heavenly court. I was almost overwhelmed and told him that I had been searching for the rabbi who had saved me for 11 years and didn't know who he was, but now God has heard my prayer to find this great righteous person. And that was Rabbi Eliezer Berland, may he be well, whom I, like many others, know how immense and great he is in heaven. He has a powerful name; it's a fact. I immediately repented sincerely and shortly after that, I married a righteous man from the Dvar Shmuel Yeshiva in Petach Tikva. And on a Friday night in the winter of 5771, Rabbi Berland appeared in my dream wearing a white tallit on his head, with his wife, the Rebbitzen, beside him, and in the room behind him, there was a holy ark with sacred books. He told me twice, "I ask that you go on a mission for me." And on the 2nd of Cheshvan, 5773, I asked the Creator of the world to know what was happening with Rabbi Berland, may he be well. That night, they showed me all the account books of the entire Jewish people open, and I was floating above them, marveling at the immense carpet of millions of books standing open in the sky. And on their right side was Rabbi Berland, holding giant account books. So, I understood that he was decreeing the judgments of the Jewish people.

I hope that I have strengthened more Jews. Thank God, for the past five years, I have been traveling throughout the country and bringing Jewish women closer to their Father in Heaven in every matter and subject. In the month of Tammuz 5771, when I was in a life-threatening situation, they showed me how joyous they were in heaven about the collective exoneration. They assured me that due to this, they would save me and watch over me, and I should not worry at all. The signs they gave were immediate, and it's not because I am righteous; it's pure kindness. Just know what collective exoneration is and pass it on. Thank you, and may we be fortunate to bring joy to the Creator of the world. Everything is recorded above for eternity, and it is fulfilled in both this world and the world to come.

With blessings of strength and courage,

Ruth Levy

"קח רמקול ותסתובב בכל הארץ"

"Take a loudspeaker and go around the entire country."

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky issued a special message from his esteemed relative, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, and said the following in a closed meeting with his brothers: "Today, we find ourselves in one of the critical hours for the Jewish people. One of the prominent confidants of Maran, the Torah leader Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, came to him not long ago, and Maran said to him, 'Go and inform all of Israel that we are in the footsteps of the Messiah, and the Messiah is at the doorstep, and the opportunity to benefit from this is only through Torah study and acts of loving-kindness.' Then, the grandson of Rabbi Chaim wrote a note to that confidant, saying, 'To the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even those called secular, I was requested by my teacher and Rabbi, the leader of Israel, to convey that the only way to benefit in this generation is through Torah study and acts of loving-kindness, and there is no other way.' Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky confirmed the message, and the person asked him, 'How should I publicize this? Should I take a loudspeaker?' Rabbi Chaim replied, 'Yes, take a loudspeaker and go around the entire country!'"

מי שיזכה יכול כבר לראות

Those who are worthy can already see it. A few days before the holiday of Shavuot, our teacher, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, announced in a conversation with his confidants in Holland that whoever merits and ascends to the roof on the third wall in Jerusalem after Shavuot will be able to see a heavenly fire Temple coming down.

ד''ר איתמר רז

Dr. Itamar Raz once again visited our esteemed Rabbi, may he be protected, this time in addition to receiving blessings and advice from the Rabbi. The Rabbi, in his holy and righteous way, requested that Dr. Raz receive samples of his new series of ointments called the "Wonder Ointments." These ointments are natural remedies for wounds, cuts, dry skin, peeling, foot fungus, and more. Dr. Raz provided the Rabbi with several samples of the ointments, and since then, the Rabbi has ordered over a hundred ointments due to their remarkable effectiveness. Dr. Raz gave the Rabbi a foot massage using the foot ointment and expressed his gratitude, saying, "These ointments are a gift from the Creator... We had a lot of heavenly assistance, and the best ointments in the world were created! They should be in every home!" Dr. Itamar expressed his gratitude to the Rabbi for referring patients to his clinic and for recommending his olive leaf extract. He said, "I pray to be a good emissary, and it is a great privilege that the Divine Providence brought me closer to our Rabbi to treat the faithful... It is a great honor." Recently, many rabbis from ANASH (a term referring to Lubavitcher Hasidim) including Rabbi Shalom Arush, Rabbi Ofer Erza, and Rabbi Shlomo Ofer have been specifically referring people to the "Yeshuot Yaakov" clinic at 18 Yoel Street, Jerusalem, to receive consultation from Dr. Raz regarding general and natural medicine, treatment customization, health plans, and to purchase products from the "Wonder Ointments" series. To schedule an appointment at the clinic, please call 025476356, and Dr. Raz will be happy to assist you with your health. Editor's note: During the treatment with Dr. Raz, it is recommended to read stories of miracles about righteous individuals, which is known as a segulah (a spiritual remedy) from our holy Rabbi, who healed his daughter Sarah with stories of miracles from the Maharshal. Just tell him that you came through the amazing flyer "Knishta Chada" (One Gathering), and you will have plenty to share!

הזמר בערי וובער

The Singer Bari Weber

The famous Hasidic singer Bari Weber specially arrived from the United States to spend Shabbat with our revered Rabbi, may he be protected, in Holland. In an interview with the information hotline, he described a unique Shabbat that was entirely spiritual, and he was so enthusiastic that he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He couldn't imagine that in the city of Amsterdam, the most impure place in the world, one could experience such a taste of paradise with a righteous individual whose entire being radiates holiness and purity. On Friday night, he had the honor of being a guest at the Rabbi's Shabbat meal, and the Rabbi asked him to sing. He sang for several hours until the neighbor came to complain that it was disturbing his sleep. To listen to the full interview on the information hotline, dial 43454.