Foreign Ministry asked Ukraine to bring Rabbi Nachman’s remains to Israel

Add capUltra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims celebrate Rosh Hashanah holiday, the Jewish New Year, near the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in the town of Uman, Ukraine September 20, 2017.. (photo credit:REUTERS) tion

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The gravesite is a considerable financial resource for Ukraine, and
sources told the ‘Post’ that it’s highly unlikely that Kiev would agree
to the request.

Israel has been making covert efforts to bring the remains of the venerated late Rebbe Nachman from Uman, Ukraine, to Israel.

Deputy
Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely instructed the Israeli ambassador to
Ukraine Eliav Belotzercovsky to raise the issue with the appropriate
officials in Kiev half a year ago, Hotovely’s spokeswoman Lena Bakman
told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.

The efforts are ongoing, but thus far they have been in vain.
“In the past the issue was broached with us and we agree that it is the
right thing to do,” she said, adding that the ambassador will continue
with the effort.

Rebbe
Nachman, spiritual leader of the Breslov Hasidim, was born in the city
of Medzhybizh in 1772 and died in Uman in 1810. Since then, Uman has
become a mecca for Bratslavers, the name by which his followers are
known. About 150,000 people visit Rebbe Nachman’s grave every year,
making it an important site of tourism for Ukraine.

Rabbi Aryeh
Lippo, a member of the Breslov movement involved in the efforts told
Army Radio, “it’s illogical that half of Israel leaves the country every
Rosh Hashana.” Thousands of Israelis visit the rabbi’s grave on the
Jewish New Year.

Eduard Dolinsky, Director of the Ukrainian
Jewish Committee told the Post that he doubted Kiev would agree  to
relocate the grave.

“It’s a kind of national treasure bringing
millions of dollars every year to the state and city budgets as well as
to Uman inhabitants,” he said. He noted, however, that some
nationalistic groups such as the Freedom Party do support the move
“because of chaos caused by the pilgrimage and general antisemitic
views.”

Around the time of the annual pilgrimage there are often cases of antisemitism in Uman. Last year, Rebbe Nachman’s grave was desecrated with a pig’s head and splatters of red paint.