A group of Breslover Chassidim - followers of the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) - made their way yet again to Joseph\'s Tomb in Shechem last night. The city, which was handed over to the Palestinian Authority in the framework of the Oslo Agreements several years ago, is now under Israeli military control - but Israeli civilians are still not allowed to enter.
The Hassidim entered the holy site undetected, and were almost as lucky on their way out: the soldiers who saw them gave chase, but were unable to catch them. Army officials in and around Shechem said that the clandestine visits are of grave concern, in that they have the soldiers chasing Jewish worshippers instead of concentrating on Arab terrorists, and also leave them [the Hassidim] vulnerable to being kidnapped and held hostage. The Breslovers, for their part, demand that the IDF open the holy site to Jewish worship. If the army were to protect the site, they say, the problems would be obviated.
The Hassidim entered the holy site undetected, and were almost as lucky on their way out: the soldiers who saw them gave chase, but were unable to catch them. Army officials in and around Shechem said that the clandestine visits are of grave concern, in that they have the soldiers chasing Jewish worshippers instead of concentrating on Arab terrorists, and also leave them [the Hassidim] vulnerable to being kidnapped and held hostage. The Breslovers, for their part, demand that the IDF open the holy site to Jewish worship. If the army were to protect the site, they say, the problems would be obviated.