JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Rabbi Shalom Arush, the head of the Chut Shel Chesed yeshiva and one of the leading Breslav rabbis, told Kikar Hashabat that there was a framework in place which could enable flights to Uman. Rabbi Arush spoke recently with prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu in the wake of the comments by coronavirus project manager Ronny Gamzu against the pilgrimage to Uman. Netanyahu allegedly promised Rabbi Arush that “there will be flights to Uman, just bring a viable framework.”
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Rabbi Arush told Kikar Hashabat that “we are not criminals and will do what is necessary. We have been preparing for the past two weeks in Uman and we even purchased a large number of masks. We are making capsules there. I said this once and I will say it again: Whoever loves Hashem and Rabbi Nachman must go at all times with a mask, even people like me who are exempt because we already had the infection…in order that Rabbi Nachman’s name should not be desecrated and people should see that we are doing what is necessary.”
Rabbi Arush stressed that there was no particular need to enter the Ohel, since “whoever can see the Ohel is considered as if he was at the tomb itself and there is no reason to pray inside the shul. We always made minyanim outside and this is what will be done this year as well.
“We bought 50 shirts for 50 ushers and hired local Ukrainian policemen to enforce regulations. Whoever knows them knows that they don’t allow for leniencies. I stress emphatically to the National Security Council and the government that we will do everything to maintain regulations , including issuing fines which will be handed out by Israeli policemen.”
Ynet reported Thursday that 32 Breslav chasidim who arrived in the Ukraine on the way to Uman were detained by authorities. The chasidim slept in the airport and the authorities intend to deport them back to Israel.
How will he guarantee that? Is he prepared to post a large sum of money, millions of dollars in bond, to be forfeited if they don’t?
It’s like a whole new religion.
This is the making of Almanahs and Yesomim, and who will support them?
He means well but is misleading the people. There are no exemptions for those post Covid and we know their antibodies weaken over time. He has already deceived the public with that statement.
There will not be any controlling of the crowds, 50 Ushers is a joke. (even with their new shirts) They Thousands will be eating, sleeping and praying (and partying) together, dont expect proper masks, or social distancing, hygiene or and any semblance of capsules (unless its the other kind). Putting this Rav in charge of public health is like putting Lapid in charge of Torah Education.
Who are you kidding
It’s party city there
Maybe make a temporary replacement Uman this year in New York?
There is a place called Woodstock, north of NYC, that you may have heard of.
What about masks. Will they enforce it 24/7 and promise to be moser on those that don’t?