Hasidi Umani. Why do the Hasidim go to Uman?

In the Cherkassy region is a small town, called Uman. He is known, among other things, for his extremely beautiful park Sofiyivka. In addition, Uman once a year turns into a kind of mecca for the followers of one of the currents of Hasidism, which flock here in thousands from all over the world. So why do the Hasidim go to Uman and what do they do there? This we will discuss in this article.

Who goes to Uman?

Hasidism is one of the trends in Judaism. It is right in its orientation and is close to the orthodox current, while maintaining its own identity, which often leads to confrontation with other Jewish religious organizations. It should be noted that not all followers of Hasidism come to Uman, which is also heterogeneous within itself. The Hasidim Umani are the so-called Bratslav Hasidim. This is the name of their current within the general religious movement. The name does not mean at all that all his followers live in Bratslav - they can be found in various countries on all continents. But it was from Bratslav that their founder, the Rebbe Nachman, came. And his person is the key to the question of why the Hasidim go to Uman. The fact is that in this city is his grave. And every faithful follower of this branch of Judaism considers it his duty at least once in his life to come to his grave to meet there the Jewish New Year. According to the beliefs of believers, this journey is a pledge of supreme blessing, as well as luck, happiness and prosperity for the whole next year. Moreover, to take part in this pilgrimage is considered not just a holy and God-pleasing thing, but also a must for a believer. That's why the Hasidim go to Uman to celebrate their New Year. Not to visit this place at least once in life is considered a sin. But in fact, many wealthy Hasidim travel to Uman more often. Some even undertake this journey every year. Basically it depends on the financial capabilities of the person. The same Jews who can not afford a trip at their own expense, turn to the special charitable Jewish structures for help. For example, in Israel there are a number of such organizations. They pay for the pilgrim's passage, supply with food and provide shelter in the territory of Uman. The pilgrimage to this city is so massive that in 2010 Ukraine and Israel even signed an agreement on visa-free regime between them.

Who is Tzadik Nachman?

The founder of the Braslav branch of Hasidism from childhood was preparing for the career of a rabbi. But he looked a little strange at Judaism. For example, instead of praying, he preferred to retire in the woods or in the field and there for a long time to pray in his own words. At the age of fourteen he was married to the daughter of a wealthy Jew. When his father-in-law died, he moved to his city and began to preach his ideas among local Jews. Residents were imbued with sermons and elected him their teacher, although the young man at the time was not yet twenty years old. Among other things, he urged the Jews to leave their jagged prayers in Hebrew and pray from their heart in their native Yiddish. In addition, he argued that communication with the Most High should not be a duty, but should bring spiritual pleasure and joy. Therefore he insisted that he should pray with songs, dances and with undisguised joy. All these features were the distinguishing features of the Bratslav Hasidism. Tsadik Nahman visited Jerusalem, where he studied Kabbalah, and then traveled a lot around his native country.

Once he visited Uman and decided that he wanted to be buried here, in the Jewish cemetery, where the remains of the victims of Jewish pogroms rested. Here he moved at the end of his life, when his wife and two sons died of tuberculosis. His last public sermon he read on the eve of the Jewish New Year, in which, among other things, bequeathed his follower to come to his grave after his death. A month later he died and was buried in the Jewish pogost of Uman, according to his will. Since then, pilgrims have been trying to visit his grave every year, fulfilling the covenant of his teacher.

Composition of pilgrims

First of all, I must say that almost all Hasanis of Uman are male. Women rarely take part in this annual journey. This is due primarily to religious traditions, because of which the pilgrimage to Uman Hasidim is committed without their wives. Even the children who are taken with them on a journey "Pilgrims" are exclusively boys.

Appearance

As for the appearance, it is rather bizarre and unusual, if we start from the generally accepted European norms. Even among the followers of other Jewish currents, the Hasidim sometimes stand out for their appearance. On their heads they wear intricate fur hats or hats, from under which hang curly locks on temples, called peysami. Under the old-fashioned hood or jacket lies a white shirt, dressed in black trousers. Chasid shoes do not have shoelaces or plaques. In addition, they try not to wear ties, because the latter resemble a cross in their form, not very much honored in the Jewish communities.

Positive value for local residents

The time of arrival of pilgrims is waiting for many residents of Uman, who earn good money on this. Such a strong flow of foreigners leads to increased demand for housing and other goods of the first and second need. Prices as a result of this take off several times, which allows enterprising local residents to earn extra money.

Negative value for local residents

Nevertheless, not everything is so unambiguous. Many of the local residents have claims to what the Hasidim do in Uman, in addition to their religious ceremonies. First of all, complaints relate to their behavior and manner of dealing with non-Jews characterized by arrogance. Especially this applies to visitors from Israel, who, compared to their European, American and Australian co-religionists, look wild. In addition, during the holiday of Hasidim, local residents experience some discomfort. The habitual rhythm of life ceases, and the city seems to freeze. Many feel that they are in quarantine when pilgrims come to Uman. New Year hasidids really do what they say, from the heart. Their creed gives special attention to such things as religious exaltation, joy, emotional tension in the course of prayers and religious practices. Expressive, vivid, dynamic manifestations of religious feelings for Hasidim are a common phenomenon that can really impress and even slightly frighten a person who is not familiar with them.

Another problem is related to the pollution of the city during the New Year celebration. Most of the pilgrims come from Israel, which has severe laws and fines from those who rubbish on the street. Ukraine is also completely indifferent to this problem, so many guests come do not hesitate to litter where they want. Again, here often note the difference of mentality between American and European Hasidim and believers who came from Israel. The latter leave so much dirt on the streets that special services barely have time to clean up the garbage. The Jewish organization, which organizes pilgrimages to Uman, even has to hire employees from among the local residents for garbage collection.

Often there are also episodes of hooligan behavior, which is demonstrated by the Hasidim of Uman. There are cases of resistance by the incoming pilgrims to the militia. Why the Hasidim in Uman are inclined to behave this way, it's hard to say unequivocally. But regularly one of them has to be deported from the country.

The beginning of pilgrimage

When do the Hasidim come to Uman? The bulk of pilgrims are being pulled into Uman, as mentioned above, to the Jewish New Year, which is called Rosh Hashanah. However, the very first of them come here a week before to have time to rent the best accommodation and prepare for the holiday. As a rule, these are the wealthiest representatives of the community, since the cost of housing can reach more than a thousand dollars a day per person. About four or three days before the start of the festivities, a mass arrival of pilgrims begins. Special bus flights bring them from the airports of Kiev and Odessa. All of them are taken to one place, located on the street Chelyuskintsev. There the visitors carefully check documents and luggage for the presence of objects and substances that are prohibited for transportation. This kind of distribution point is reliably guarded by police and special power units of the city. Further pilgrims are sent to Pushkin Street, where their general collection takes place. However, already at the point of arrival, the locals attack the guests with proposals for renting housing, so many visiting Hasidim Umani are sent immediately to their apartments.

Accommodation of pilgrims

At the point of arrival, in addition to law enforcement agencies, there are also representatives of Jewish structures that organize pilgrimage. They meet visitors, help translate from language to language and keep records of arrivals. As already mentioned, from the point of arrival after all the necessary procedures pilgrims are sent to Pushkin Street, where all Jews who visit Uman gather. Hassidic pilgrims find a place to live here. Mostly they are helped by local residents who kindly lease their own dwelling for rather decent money. The price for the latter depends on the location, floor, type and living conditions. Apartments in high-rise buildings on Pushkin Street, Belinsky, Kulik and Sofia Perovskaya are most valued by the Hasidim who came to Uman. The grave of their saint - tzaddik Nachman, who is located near these streets, is the reason. It is a little cheaper to rent private houses in the same area. The cheapest is considered housing in other, more remote areas. He is not often rented by Hasidim who came to Uman. Nakhman's grave, more precisely, its location, does not affect the pricing of rent of apartments located above the fifth floor, even if they are located in the immediate vicinity of it. The fact is that during the celebration of the New Year the Jews are forbidden to use all the achievements of civilization, including elevators.

Problems for pilgrims

One of the main problems for pilgrims is that the existing route Kiev - Uman or Odessa - Uman is very uncomfortable. Indeed, why do the Hasidim travel to Uman from these cities by buses, spending more money and time, rather than flying directly to their destination? The answer lies in the simple fact of the absence of the airport. Not so long ago, at the beginning of the 21st century, it was intended to be repaired for direct flights from Israel and other countries. But the result of this enterprise was the complete dismantling of the airfield.

Another problem is that for pilgrims there is no well-thought-out placement system. Built for this hotel is not able to accommodate everyone, and most of the city's guests are forced to rent accommodation from local residents, which turns out to be quite expensive and not always convenient. In addition, the very process of finding a home after exhausting flight, traveling by bus, standing in line at the point of arrival and several inspections is a rather unpleasant procedure. And if we add to this the ignorance of the language and, consequently, the limited possibilities of communication with the local population, it becomes clear how problematic is the congress of Hasidim. In Uman, however, the pilgrims come, steadfastly enduring all adversity. In addition, there are mediators who try to solve existing difficulties and provide pilgrims with everything necessary.

Proposals for the transfer of the grave of Tsadik Nachman

Some people, both among the Hasidim themselves and among the inhabitants of Ukraine, are wondering why the Hasidim come to Uman every year, instead of simply transferring the grave of tsadik Nahman to Israel. This would facilitate the lives of many adherents of this doctrine and save them huge money. With the initiative to transfer the grave, Israel officially launched in 2008, offering to transport it to Jerusalem. The Israeli side was even prepared to leave generous financial compensation in the event of a positive decision. However, the project of transferring the burial place of this Jewish saint was never realized. Therefore the Hasidim continue to flock to Uman every year, and the number of them, by the way, only grows from year to year. This is due, firstly, with the abolition of the visa regime, and secondly, with the widespread use of the Bratzlav Hasidism in Jewish circles in recent years.

Children in pilgrimage

Why Hasidim celebrate the New Year in Uman, we found out. But why do some of them bring children there? The fact is that adulthood in Judaism comes much earlier than it is supposed by secular laws. So, boys are already 12 years old considered full-fledged men and members of the community, and therefore, can and should, if possible, visit the grave of Nachman. In addition, taking children and adolescents with them, parents pursue pedagogical goals. Thus they instill in them respect for religion, its traditions and reverence for its relics. In addition, we should not forget that many Hasidim live compactly in communities located in non-Jewish cities and stand out against the general background of the population. This applies, of course, primarily to Western countries, although even in Israel, some Hasidim stand out from the crowd. Because of this, children can experience some psychological difficulties, so it is very useful for them to visit the places of mass gathering of their co-religionists, to feel their community with the many thousands community, the centers of which are globally all over the world.

What do children do during pilgrimage? In principle, the same as adults. In addition, during the Rosh-Hashanah festival, boys are taught Torah and religious law.

Departure from Uman

When do the Hasidim leave Uman? Usually right after the holiday. The Rosh-Hashanah itself lasts two days and falls according to the Jewish calendar for a month of Tishrei. In terms of the civil Gregorian calendar, this time is September or October. As soon as the holiday ends, the believers begin to gather in the road. Usually within two or three days they all leave.