JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israel National Security Council deputy chief and the head of the counter-terror branch, Brigadier General (Res.) Itzik Bar, warned Breslov Hasidim that travelling to Uman for Rosh Hashana is a “life-endangering act”.
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In a press conference held on Sunday concerning the yearly pilgrimage to Uman, Bar said that due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the pilgrimage this year has taken on a new level of danger.
The deputy chief said that “Traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah is gravely dangerous, Israel’s and Ukraine’s abilities to help during an irregular incident are limited.
“You have to understand the situation in Ukraine. Ukraine is in the middle of a war and a national emergency. There is a nightly curfew in Uman, and religious and civilian ceremonies are strictly prohibited. The airspace is completely closed,” Bar added.
“Since there are no direct flights into Uman, the pilgrims will need to get there by landing in neighboring countries and then traveling there by car. This means that they can be exposed to active warzones. I’m not saying offhand that their lives are in danger. I’m not exaggerating. There is rocket fire in those areas, and we have no way to protect lives in those places.”
Bar described an additional threat to Jews that may decide to visit Ukraine. “We’ve recently seen the growth of local far-right groups. This year alone there have been 50 cases of harassment, muggings, and more.
“Despite the danger and the level three travel warning from the Foreign Ministry, Israel will not stop pilgrims at the airport and will not implement no-fly orders for those who wish to travel to Uman. The same goes for the Ukrainians. But we expect everyone to be responsible since both we and the Ukrainians don’t know how to secure the event.
“You have to understand that provision and emergency services are running at a minimum. If there would be an incident, we at the Israeli embassy would only be able to provide a partial response.”
According to Foreign Ministry estimates, there are already between one and two thousand people in Uman, and that number is expected to reach anywhere between five to ten thousand on Rosh Hashanah. This is still a dramatic decrease on the usual number of pilgrims which can reach over 30,000 in a regular year.
Foreign Ministry deputy CEO, Eyal Siso added: “People are being killed in Ukraine. It’s not a game. We can’t be in Uman. Our response will be limited. The hospitals are in a state of emergency. The US embassy also published a travel warning.”
Siso also mentioned the Breslov leadership. “I am in contact with the Breslov rabbis. Some agree with me. Some don’t.”
Israeli police and foreign ministry representatives are not expected to be present in Uman during the holiday. Ministry officials said that “we will not endanger Israeli citizens”. However local United Hatzalah volunteers will be on hand to assist the pilgrims.
Ancestor worship is Moshiach-endangering. Stay home with mishpucheh, learn, and have a simcha with the kindala… don’t visit war-zone Uman…
If the Ukraine is telling you to stay away and yes will take a major financial hit listen. Your ice and children will appreciate your being home rather then partying
Pilgrimage to a war zone is unwelcome and foolish. The local people have enough to deal with at the moment.
The Talmud tells us that Samuel the Prophet A”H was told by G-d to disguise his purpose of going to Bethlehem (to appoint a new king) to avoid endangering his life. From this, the Talmud tells us that even if one is performing a commandment of G-d, he must not endanger himself. Indeed, the area was ravaged by Nazis (may their names be blotted out) and afterwards, Stalin killed those who ignored his warnings, and visited the site, after WWII.
Rabbainu Nachman told his chasidim that if they couldn’t daven Rosh Hashanah in Uman, they could also daven in Meron. Are the Israel authorities taking note?
For some, not going to Uman is worse than death itself
In order not to endanger my life this ראש-השנה I am taking the Omicron Booster prior to ראש-השנה