The Breslov hasidic community is facing an unprecedented challenge ahead of its traditional pilgrimage to Uman, as thousands of young men classified as military draft evaders are barred from leaving Israel due to exit bans.
According to a report by journalist Mordechai Halperin on Galei Zahal (Army Radio), rabbis and senior activists in the hasidic community have held discussions in recent days in an attempt to find a solution that would allow the young men to participate in the traditional Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) pilgrimage to the gravesite of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.
According to the report, one proposal under discussion would see young men classified as draft evaders report to IDF recruitment offices and complete the initial stages of the enlistment process, including receiving their first draft order, thereby leading to the removal of their exit bans.
The report noted that the goal of such a move would be to allow them to travel to Ukraine. Sources familiar with the discussions acknowledged that the move would be purely tactical. Under the proposal being considered, after leaving Israel and reaching Uman, the young men would not be expected to continue reporting or complete the enlistment process.
The discussions come amid concerns that increased enforcement against draft evaders will lead to a significant decline this year in the number of hasidim able to participate in the large Rosh Hashanah gathering in Uman.
As part of efforts to find a solution, meetings have recently been held with rabbis affiliated with the "Ezra V'Yeutz" organization, together with Rabbi Shimon Shisha, who is known in the haredi community as the "father of the prisoners."
Meanwhile, Rabbi Shmuel Moshe Kramer, a senior Breslov figure, addressed the difficulties facing travelers this week and expressed confidence that a solution would once again be found to allow the tradition to continue.
"Every year they try to prevent the hasidim from traveling to Uman, and every year they manage, one way or another, to reach Uman," he said at a closed gathering. "This year, too, there is a major obstacle, but this year, too, we will succeed."