Anyone even slightly familiar with Rebbe Nachman’s teachings knows of the paramount importance attached to this holiday within Breslov circles. From far and near, people came to Rebbe Nachman for Rosh Hashana, to spend the beginning of the year with him. Even after his passing, this practice continued. Breslovers flocked to Uman to pray at Rebbe Nachman’s grave on the eve of Rosh Hashana and attend the kibutz , the gathering of his followers, on the holiday. The thought of not being present at the kibutz for Rosh HaShannah never entered the mind of the committed chasid. The reasons, though many, really boil down to faith in the Tzaddik and his teachings. The Rebbe himself put it this way: “My Rosh HaShannah is greater than everything … No one should be missing! My very essence is Rosh HaShannah!” (Tzaddik #403)
Adapted from Crossing the Narrow Bridge
© Copyright 2009 Breslov Research Institute
QUESTIONS TO OUR READERS:
Are you planning on going to Uman this Rosh HaShannah and what are your motivations in going?
Is this your first time or have you been many times before?
What barriers or encouragements are you encountering?
If you have been before what were your experiences there?
Please use the comment section below to answer these questions and contribute your voice to the discussion.
10 comments
I met my wife after I went to Uman for the first time. I had been single for many years and, with the Rebbe’s blessings and tikkun, entered a wonderful new stage in my life. I know personally of many other stories of people who found their match after going to Uman for Rosh HaShannah.
I have gone many times. Amazingly I find that every time my experience is different.Last year I was very taken in to the diversity of the Jewish people. There were so many different types there and yet what makes me better then anyone who is different, especially when they seem to be davening more sincerely then me etc… It is a very humble feeling and allowed me to break my physical egotistical boundaries and leap free into a spiritual ascent. In Uman you can feel holiness in the air.
Yossi Katz
Yossi: I know people who feel that you should stay at home for R”H and be with the family. Thoughts?
For discussion: Can anyone offer some practical suggestions for getting to Uman in terms of travel, lodging, eating, Davening, clothes to wear, etc.? You know — give us some tachlis!
Chaim:
Many have compared Rosh HaShana to having a judgement in court about your own very life. Certainly one would do everything in his power to hire the best top notch attorney to represent you. Your wife wouldn’t think twice of the monetary costs and travelling time to visit him. Rosh HaShana is all the more so important.
Yossi:
Is there not a Jewish law to buy your wife cloths and jewelry, according to your means, for Rosh HaShanna and the holidays? Personally, I’m going to be very frugal with my expenses for my Uman trip and buy my wife a modest piece of jewelery, which I will give to her at the airport when I leave. Shalom Bayit is of course paramount in a Jewish home…..
Yes, certainly one should do whatever he can in order to make his wife happy and so to speak make up for his lack of being there and there is a mitzvah with every Yom Tov to buy your wife clothing etc… All I meant to say was that the rational of “How could you do it to your family” is flawed. Reb Noson said Baruch HaShem that Yom Kippur falls out after Rosh HaShana so we can ask our wives forgiveness.
Any advice on getting a cell phone to take to Uman?
Yes, you need to bring an “unlocked” quad band cell phone that accepts sim cards. You can get the codes on the internet that will unlock you phone and give you that capability, it may cost you like 8 or 9 dollars though. Once you are in the main terminal in Kiev Airport, there are some booths that sell Ukrainian sim cards. Simple purchase one and call home just long enough to give them your cell number. Now make sure at home they bought a prepaid long distance card that has cheap rates to Ukrainian cell phone and you are good to go! This is the tried and true method and saves you about 80 % and up on long distance.
All the best and Nesia Tova!
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