Breslav's followers are unwilling to obey the impending ban on flying to Rabbi Nachman's tomb • "We are listening to Rabbi Nachman, and he said to come" • Prof. Gamzo: "Prevent direct flights to Ukraine"
Breslav Bauman followers - Archive
Photo:
Yehuda Peretz
The crisis surrounding flights to Uman on Rosh Hashanah continues in full force. Interior Minister Aryeh Deri is working to establish a committee of ministers to discuss the issue of flights to Ukraine. The goal is for the committee's recommendations to be submitted to the cabinet within a week.
In addition, a discussion on the issue is expected to take place this Sunday with the participation of Deri, Minister Yaakov Litzman, Minister Miri Regev, the head of the National Security Council, Meir Ben Shabbat, and Rabbi Shalom Arush and Nachman. This is joined by Ukraine's position that a mass event with the participation of tens of thousands of followers in Uman should not be held, for fear of an outbreak of the corona virus.
Gamzo: "This is not the time to decide on a holiday closure" // Photo: GPO
"Take responsibility"
During a discussion in the Corona Cabinet yesterday, Prof. Roni Gamzo called for a halt to flights there for fear of a mass contagion: "The government should instruct the Airports Authority to prevent direct flights to Ukraine for health reasons." He noted that he hoped that the leaders of the two countries would work for a complete halt to those who go to Uman this year, out of responsibility for public health.
In a conversation with "Israel Today", Rabbi Moshe Asman, the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine, said that he was not optimistic about the possibility of holding the celebration as a series. "I'm in touch with the authorities, and they say there will be no entry. They say the right things - that so many people in one place is a danger. Every day there is a further increase in coronary heart disease in the country, so at the moment it does not look like anything will change. Ukraine is trying to reach a compromise. It is not clear".
A month before the holidays
Breslav, on the other hand, refuses to surrender. "Israel Today" has learned that there are already hundreds of followers who are in Uman. Fearing the cancellation of flights and the tightening of the closure in Ukraine and Israel, the Hasidim decided to advance their arrival in the city by a full month. The Breslav City website yesterday pointed an accusing finger at the National Security Council and the Ministry of Health, claiming that they "are doing everything in their power to stop the trip to Uman regardless of the facts" - claiming that "no one will prevail by force."
Sharon Kanfo, a well-known Breslav follower and head of the "Noah - we are all friends" list that ran in the Knesset in the past, clarifies that the opposition and the ban on reaching Uman cause many to insist and make significant efforts to reach the place on Rosh Hashanah. "Whoever tries to make me not go to Uman, actually makes me and my friends want to come more. Hurt our choices, our desires. My whole environment goes to Uman this year, even those who in a normal year do not travel. People bother and convince their friends, buy tickets for the whole family. "There is something special here. My son left two weeks ago and another son will leave next week."
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Knafo says that even if rabbis in Chassidut call not to come to Uman, this will not change the position of Chassidim and their insistence on coming. "We are listening to Rabbi Nachman, and he said to come. There is an attempt here to check our borders. The government is checking on us, they know very well what they are doing. They claim that Bauman is dangerous, but there are masses on the promenade in Eilat. Some will say it is hypocrisy," he says. He adds: "In Israel there will be a closure on Rosh Hashanah, and how will the people who do not fly feel? If there is a closure, they will not leave the house. Bauman will be happy, there will be no restrictions, and I am sure everyone will return healthy."
Knafo has not yet purchased a ticket to Ukraine, but is not worried about the future. "There are a lot of ways to get there. At most they will close Ben Gurion Airport. They will have to close all the countries to prevent it from coming." If there are flights to Abu Dhabi, we will reach the UAE to Uman. "
Deputy Transport Minister Uri Maklev: "There is no justification for banning flights to Uman. If the Corona Cabinet fears, it will impose isolation or restrictions on those returning from there." Deputy Education Minister Meir Purush said: "This is a loss of mind and an unparalleled scandal."