Uman has the attributes of the holy of holies. From one standpoint, it was the site of one of the greatest sanctifications of Hashem’s name in history. In 1768, only four years before Rebbe Nachman was born, the evil Cossack leader Gonta and his henchman attacked the Jews of Uman. The Jews that weren’t slaughtered in the fierce hand-to-hand and house-to-house fighting were told that anyone who passed under a certain canopy in front of the church would be spared. But, in order to do so, one would have to prostrate oneself before the cross. Not a single man, woman, or child of Uman’s 33,000 Jews agreed to do so, despite the fact that parents were slaughtered in front of their children and children were brutally maimed in front of their parents, all becoming holy martyrs.
Uman is also an aspect of “holy of holies” in that it is the eternal resting place of Rebbe Nachman, who yearned to lie among the martyrs.
Just as in the holy of holies in the Beit Hamikdash, travelers to Uman must be forewarned that one can encounter both proverbial dog and lion in Uman.
We certainly want a “lion’s share” from all the expense, preplanning, and dedication that it takes to make the trip to the holy kibbutz (gathering) of Breslever Chassidim in Uman on Rosh Hashanna. Nobody wants their trip to go to the dogs. In a nutshell, a person must be on strong spiritual guard in Uman, guarding his time, his eyes, and his tongue. One who guards all three will certainly reap all the benefits that the holy pilgrimage to Uman has to offer, including a soul correction for oneself, one’s spouse, and one’s family. Let’s see how:
Continue reading Uman: Dog or Lion in this week's cyber issue of Breslev Israel Magazine.
Walk, Don't Fly is an excerpt from the holy Zohar about Rosh Hashanah, which falls this coming Shabbat and Sunday. While we're on the subject of Rosh Hashanah, read about the esoteric implications of Apples and Honey, one of our customary foods on the Jewish New Year. Want some good advice for Rosh Hashanah? Forgive and be Forgiven.
Rabbi Shalom Arush teaches us more about personal prayer in Success for Everyone.
How do we understand the notion of teshuva? The Lubavitcher Rebbe talks about Return, Not Repentance. Rabbi Pinchas Winston gives another amazing explanation of teshuva in Why the Window.
In her wonderful series on child education, the Melitzer Rebbetzen writes that a mother must is Not a Peer Pal, but Mom.
Your buddy Lazer writes that during times of stress, intellect and logic don’t deliver the goods. To paraphrase the tire dealers, emuna’s what you can depend on where the rubber hits the road. Therefore, the only way to keep our cool under fire is by Putting Logic Aside.
Whatever you do, don't miss part 3 of the King and the Woodsman, entitled High Treason.
The Beams, Breslev Israel, and Emuna Outreach wish you and yours an inscription in the Book of Life for a wonderful New Year 5770.
PS: It's not too late to send your Pidyon Nefesh to Rabbi Shalom Arush - you won't regret it.
