Before he passed away, the famous Rabbi Nachman of Breslov commanded his Chassidim that after his death, they should come to his grave every Rosh HaShana.
Rabbi Nachman moved to Uman only half a year before he died in 1810. His former house had burnt down and thus he was looking for a new location. Uman wasn't too far away from Medziboz and so he decided to move to Uman (Ukraine). But there was also another reason why Rabbi Nachman especially moved to Uman.
In 1768, a terrible pogrom had taken place in Uman where the Haidmacks killed 10.000 Jews. Rabbi Nachman got the idea that it was him who had to lift up all the souls (Neshamot) of this slaughtered Jews. And this is another reason why he commanded his Chassidim to come to his grave and pray Tehillim (Psalms) every Rosh HaShana. The souls of the murdered still have to be lifted up.
Especially in Israel, the ideology of all kinds of Breslover Chassidim going to Uman every Rosh HaShana is more than a contradiction. Rosh HaShana is a high holiday where we are all standing before G - d in order to crown Him as King.
It was Him creating our universe and us. Moreover, He is judging us for the upcoming year. Us and the whole world. And Rosh Shana is not only a Jewish holiday, as G - d is judging Jews and Gentiles on that day.
How can Jews, in this case the Breslover Chassidim, look to Uman when Jerusalem is THE place to be ? Be close to G - d and pray for forgiveness. Has one Rabbi (Rabbi Nachman) the power to change the whole Rosh HaShana concept ? A concept where you should try to get closer to G -d and be with your family.
Instead the Breslover Chassidim leave their family and go to Uman. One can argue that some of their wives have their own "party" in Meron (northern Israel). But what kind of holiday is that ? The husband in the Ukraine and the wife in Meron or wherever ?
Actually one of the wives told me that she is quite happy being alone with the kids and getting rid of her husband for a few days.
The question is if G - d is the most important figure on Rosh HaShana and not a Rabbi calling himself "the Zaddik of the Generation". You can be a Zaddik but you cannot put yourself above G - d. Israeli Rabbis such as the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef as well as many national religious rabbis oppose the whole Uman business. Jerusalem is the place to be and not worshipping a Rabbi at his grave. Pray to G - d and not to Rabbi Nachman.
And wasn't it Rabbi Nachman himself saying that every Jew has the potential of becoming a Zaddik ? So, why do you need to run to Uman and get uplifted by him ? Uplift yourself and stay in Jerusalem, as there is no other place like our city.
However, I found a few pictures from Uman and when I look at them, I am very glad to be in Jerusalem.
In case you are in Jerusalem and haven't booked seats in a synagogue, it might be hard for you finding something. However, the "Zemach Zedek Synagogue" from Chabad is open to anyone.
Location: Jewish Quarter in the Old City. Just look for the Cardo.
Yeshivat AISH HATORAH is running a program together with Jeff Seidel and the HERITAGE HOUSE, right across "Bonker's Bagels" in the Jewish Quarter.
For meal placements please meet Jeff Seidel at the men's water fountain in front of the Kotel (Western Wall).
Please note that all the programs and meals are only for Jews !
I will be praying with the Litvish as well and divide myself between the Machlis family and Mea Shearim.
A great, joyful, healthy and successful New Year to all of you.
Chag Sameach and Shana Tova from Jerusalem.
Not from Uman but to Uman !
Shana Tov you should be inscribed in the Hashems book with success and happiness.
ReplyDeleteWith that said. You entirely missed the point of Uman, and Chas VeShalom it should be equated to idol worship "worshiping a Rabbi instead of Hashem"
I have many friends in Uman right now and I can attest that it is anything but that.
Firstly, when R' Nachman said that his Chasidim should come to Uman, Jews of Europe could not make a travel to Jerusalem and even if they could, what was there? Ruins?
R' Nachman and any Tzaddik of that time would never have thought that in 1948, the Jews would take back Israel without the arrival of Moshiach.
There are different types of Rebbe's and one type is the kind who you travel to and ask for Brachas. R' Nachman was that type and he declared even after his death he would make brachas for those who came to him. There is so much more about it, but i dont have the energy to type about it.
I dont know where you got the information to base your article on, but you should go ask some true Breslover Chasidim or any Chasid that travels to Uman and hear what he has to say.
iy"H I will be in Jerusalem for Rosh Hashanah next year and I will do whatever I can to make it to Uman from there. Hashem commands us to travel to Jerusalem for the Shalosh Regalim. This pilgrimage is not required for Rosh Hashanah.
Like you said, Rosh Hashanah is the day Hashem created man, and all people, Jew and Goy alike should be celebrating Rosh Hashanah and you can do that anywhere in the world.
The best places being Uman and Jerualsem.
Shana Tova!!!!
B"H
ReplyDeleteHello Long Beach and Shana Tova.
Before I forget:
I got the information from a book from Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan.
Furthermore, I spoke to a few Nanas who might be not the "right" source for you.:-)))
My opinion is that Jerusalem is the greatest place to celebrate Rosh HaShana and not the Galut. There is no comparison whatsoever and, as I said, many Israeli rabbis very much oppose the Uman business.
Everyone can do whatever he want but Jews don't need a medium and can pray directly to G - d. And there is no greater place in this world than the Kotel and Jerusalem. To me it just sounds so strange that someone from Jerusalem is leaving the Holy City for a place in the Ukraine.
By the way, on a haredi forum people claimed that there are actually two graves of Rabbi Nachman in Uman. Do you know anything abut it ?
Have a great healthy and successful New Year.
I'm not aware of two graves but it would interesting to see who claims what and what proof they have.
ReplyDeleteI hope your Rosh Hashanah went well. I read your blog about it, but dont be so down. Hashem will bless you this year with much success.
As for Uman. NaNachs are NOT a legitimate opinion at all. Using them as your source for Breslov is like using a Meshichist as a source for Chabad, or the Neturi Karta as a source for their chasidic groups (mainly Satmar).
Of course you dont need a medium to pray to G-d and its NOT a medium. Still though you criticize the Kever of Reb Nachman as a medium but then say how you should be at the Kotel. Although it is the holiest place for Jews, it is a medium and the whole basis of our relationship with Hashem is through a Medium. It used to be the temple and the korbanos. Now its the ruins and the Tzaddikim.
Rosh Hashanah is not a Jewish Holiday. It is a holiday for all mankind, but they have all forget this except for us. This is the birthday of Man not of Jews. In the times of the Temple non Jews would celebrate as well. It wasnt until Christianity came and changed everything that the "new year" was moved to January 1st.
Of course Jerusalem is important to us but show me where there is a command to ascend upon Jerusalem for Rosh Hashanah? That command is reserved for the Shalosh Regalim.
Rabbi Nachman was a Tzaddik and a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov. He was not an apikorus and never commanded his Chasidim to come worship him. He is not a Golden Calf.
You go to Uman to pray to G-d and praying next to each and every Chasid is Reb Nachman begging Hashem to have mercy on us and bless us, and I will tell you one thing.
Hashem is going to be more persuaded by the Heiliga Reb Nachman then by me so I would be glad to have him praying on my behalf in Shemayim.
Regardless of my opinion Im not trying to convince you or change your mind.
Im simply telling you what Uman is all about.
It doesnt connect for everyone and thats why everyone doesnt go there for Rosh Hashanah.
Besides there are always "Israel Rabbis" that are against something even if its in Israel.
This is Chasidus and everyone knows if the poskim and the mekubalim conflict, we follow the mekubalim ;)
Blessings!
B"H
ReplyDeleteHi Long Beach Chasid !
I read about the two graves a few days ago on a Israeli haredi website. So far, I haven't read the whole article and I would love to forward it to you but I understood that you don't speak Hebrew yet. Well, I will read it and translate it for you.
I was just surprised to learn that there are different opinions on where Rabbi Nachman's gravesite is, as I had never heard about it before.
No, I am not too down about Rosh HaShana anymore but it is sometimes annoying when everyone seems to succeed and you don't. Although I am not sure what it really means "to succeed". Everyone has a different way and thus a different success.:-)
I used Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and some Nanas as a source. By the way, most Nanas gave me different reasons for Uman and I preferred to rely on Rabbi Kaplan who pointed out the history.
In Israel, it many times does seem exaggerated with all the "going to Uman" stuff. It became a huge business and there are even Breslovers begging in the streets in order to be able buying a ticket to Uman. I think that all the business simply goes on other people's nerves.
I am not seeing or claiming the Kotel as a medium but the Even HaShetiah is underneath the Temple Mount and this is what G - d created first. The whole area around the Kotel has an additional portion of Kedusha although G - d and His Shechinah are everywhere. Nevertheless, around the Temple Mount is a double portion and it doesn't want in my head that there are Israelis leaving all this for a small town in the Ukraine.
I have nothing against Rabbi Nachman or his grave but I think that there is plenty of time throughout the year visting the grave and not davka on Rosh HaSHana where each of us should personally stick to G - d.
I have nothing against you believing that Rabbi Nachman or a Zaddik can persuade G - d more than you do. This is your opinion.
However, I would never have such a thought, as I do actually agree with Rabbi Nachman who himself claimed that every Jew has the potential to become a Zaddik. Personally, I don't want anyone else persuading G - d for me but do it myself. I hope this doesn't sound arrogant by I am sure that each individual or at least each Jew has a special connection to G - d and is thus able of persuading Him.
Laila Tov - Good Night from Jerusalem.
Miriam