Hasidic Jews Gather In Ukraine For Rosh Hashanah Pilgrimage – Birthplace Of Their Movement

Tens of thousands Hasidic Jews belonging to the Breslov group travel to Ukraine each year to pray at the tomb of legendary Rabbi Nachman (1772-1810). Before the pandemic, an estimated 30,000-40,000 participated every year. Now, despite Covid fears, many have already arrived in the East European nation. 

Reb Nachman, a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, revived the Hasidic movement during a schism between Hasidic and Misnagdic. (Today classified as a Non-Hasidic Haredi – Neturei Karta being the most famous group of this lineage)

Unlike many other sects, like Satmar and Bobov, Breslov is non-dynastic and has no central leader. Nachman rejected the idea of hereditary Hasidic dynasties, and taught that every Hasid must “search for the tzaddik (saintly) within himself.” Nachman chose to be buried there because in 1749 and 1768, many Jews were murdered in the area, following pogroms.

Praying beside the grave of Rabbi Nachman as well as the graves of other tzaddikim is an ancient Jewish practice. For example, when Moses sent the ten men to spy out the land, Joshua and Caleb saw that trouble was coming and went to pray beside the graves of the patriarchs at Ma’arat Hamachpela – the Cave of the Patriarchs

The mass arrival follows fears that Ukraine would ban the pilgrimage for a second time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those coming from Israel face quarantine when returning home, if they’re not vaccinated. The event is so crucial to the city. In fact, many Uman locals are said to have picked up basic survival phrases Hebrew, to cater to the influx of Israeli tourists.