JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israel’s Knesset gave preliminary approval Wednesday to legislation establishing a national center to preserve and promote the legacy of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the influential 18th-century Hasidic leader.
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The bill, sponsored by Likud lawmaker Eliyahu Revivo, passed its first reading by a vote of 19-0 and was referred to the Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee for further consideration.
Under the proposal, the center would be established as a statutory public corporation responsible for preserving Rabbi Nachman’s teachings and historical legacy. It would include a research institute, archive, scientific and educational committee, and a museum dedicated to his life and work.
The legislation also outlines the creation of a public governing council and provides for state funding of the center. Oversight would fall under Israel’s minister of culture and sports.
Supporters of the bill said Rabbi Nachman’s contributions to Jewish thought and spirituality warrant national recognition similar to memorial institutions established for Israeli prominent rabbis, including Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and Rabbi Haim Druckman.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810), the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement and great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Hasidic Judaism. His teachings continue to attract followers around the world, and tens of thousands of pilgrims travel annually to his burial site in Uman, Ukraine.
Jewish tradition generally places great importance on respecting the original burial place of the deceased, especially when it was their deliberate choice. Rebbe Nachman chose Uman while fully aware of the holiness of Eretz Yisrael. Suggesting that his remains should now be moved ignores the fact that this was his own explicit decision.
It’s interesting how people say, ‘Don’t leave your family,’ as if the tens of thousands who go to Uman don’t love their wives and children. Most of them are making a difficult sacrifice because they genuinely believe it’s spiritually importantnot because they’re trying to escape their families.
Finally, People travel for business, vacations, sports, and all kinds of personal interests. Yet when someone travels for a spiritual reason that has been part of their tradition for generations, suddenly it’s ridiculed. You don’t have to agree with the practice, but it’s worth extending the same respect you’d want for your own religious commitments.
B”H
IYH to bring the atzomos to Kevuras E”Y …so we can stop the madness of leaving our families to oleh regel especially on R”H Chmelnizcki-land where they still hate us.
Why? Will there be a “National Center” for every other Chassidus?
where are they going to build it??
I remembered when they wanted to bring R Nachman’s kever to Israel so the men did have to go away for a week to Oman. But their wives were against it, they said, we need the time to recover from our husbands.
HO HO, its a joke….