By Dr. Zev Ballen
Rabbi Shalom Arush is in Uman at the Holy gravesite of Rebbe Nachman of Breslev for the Shavuos Holiday. Uman is not an easy trip for a Jewish person to make. Still, the hardships of the journey cannot be compared to the dangers that existed during the time of the communists reign. In those days, relatively few people made the pilgrimage compared to the 33,000 Jews who went last Rosh Hashanah. Then, there was a real threat of imprisonment and even murder at the hands of the anti-Semitic fascists. Almost all of the tzadikkim of that generation discouraged people from making the trip. There were those who were actually murdered in sanctifying G-d's name as they attempted to reach the holy gravesite. Despite this warning, there were a handful of fearless Jews who with their fake passports and indestructible belief in Hashem scratched and clawed their way to Uman year after year. Two of those who went despite the grave danger were Rabbi Eliezer Berland and his main disciple Rabbi Shalom Arush. It was only due to their flawless emuna and determination that Uman was refurbished and re-opened for all of us today.
I can tell you with complete certainty that my Rabbi, Rabbi Shalom Arush, will be praying for every one of you on Shavuos. I personally witnessed the awesome power that Rav Arush's prayers can accomplish just yesterday. It only took a few seconds, but before leaving for Uman, I saw the Rav literally bring new life to a complete stranger.
Here is the Bamidbar/Shavuous edition of the Yeshiva's newsletter. I hope you enjoy it! Download CSC NL Week 24 Bamidbar (2)
In the merit of Rav Arush and all the tzadikkim, may you and your loved ones taste the sweetness of our Holy Torah, this Shavuous, and savor it until the coming of the Messiah - May he come soon!
Good Shabbos and Yom Tov,
Dr. Zev Ballen
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