© REUTERS / Sebastian Scheiner
Berland has long been known to offer "pidyonim," or kabbalistic benedictions, to the ill, whereby they receive a blessing after donating money. In late-night visits, and surrounded by dozens of followers, Berland frequently shows up at Israeli hospitals across the country, unattended by staff, to bless the sick, according to footage uploaded by his followers.
Israeli journalists from Channel 12 news, seeking to unearth how it works and after encountering victims of Berland's scheme, invented the case of a 35-year-old woman, "Yael," who was declared brain dead.
They contacted Berland's aide Natan, who was initially circumspect, saying he would have to check as it was a case of brain death. "If it wasn't brain death, I would promise you that he would revive her," he tells them, tacitly acknowledging the irreversible loss of all cognitive functioning.
But getting back to them after consulting with Berland, Natan says his mentor is confident he can do it. It would cost NIS 20,000, he says, vowing that the woman will be brought back to life. "At least once a week, the rabbi revives the dead in all sorts of ways in the hospital," the Berland aide reassures them.
After they balk at the price, Natan puts Berland on the line.
"Bring NIS 20,000 within an hour, at 1 a.m. I'll be at Rambam [medical center in Haifa]," the rabbi tells them.
"Wait, but Rabbi Berland, the doctors said she's brain dead," interjects Channel 13 reporter Yoav Even.
"The rabbi knows this," replies Natan the aide.
"Yes, I can revive her. I've already revived people who were brain dead, who were totally paralyzed, people with cancer... against which they didn't stand a chance," Berland says, adding that he performed "total miracles, total miracles."
"If you bring me NIS 20,000, she'll wake up. There will be a miracle. Her brain will start to work, you'll see her brain starting to work," said Berland.
Natan later updated the journalists that Berland would offer the blessing remotely after the money was transferred, and wouldn't show up at the hospital.
In a statement to the TV station, associates of Berland insisted that his religious services do not cost money.
"There is a matter of pledging money to charity during a time of suffering. The rabbi himself blesses and prays and doesn't deal with money at all. If the money comes, it's immediately distributed to the needy," a statement from his associates said.
"We are witness to hundreds and thousands of stories of people who were saved by the blessings of the rabbi, which are supernatural," the statement added.
Activists who have spoken to The Times of Israel in the past have cited several cases of followers who, they say, have sold their houses or have been plunged into debt for these benedictions, in what they argue is tantamount to extortion by a cult-like leader with undue influence over his followers.
The donations - provided by ostensibly consenting adults for a religious service - are not illegal under Israeli law.
In a recording recently obtained by The Times of Israel, which is punctuated by derisive laughter by his followers, Berland boasted of exploiting a woman who donated tens of thousands of dollars.
Long considered a cult-like leader to thousands of his followers, Berland fled Israel in 2013 amid allegations that he had sexually assaulted several female followers. After evading arrest for three years and slipping through various countries, Berland, 81, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in November 2016 on two counts of indecent acts and one case of assault, as part of a plea deal that included seven months of time served. He was freed just five months later, in part due to ill health.
Since then, he has resumed his activities as the leader of the Shuvu Bonim community, an offshoot of the Bratslav Hasidic sect that has been disavowed by the broader Bratslav dynasty.
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