JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In the wake of the absence of a draft law, there are now tens of thousands of charedi youth who are in danger of arrest if they attempt to leave the country. This has presented a major dilemma for the Breslov chasidim, who place a significant emphasis on travelling to Uman.
A dramatic gathering was held on Wednesday, attended by all the rabbis and spiritual leaders of the Breslov community from all backgrounds and sectors across the country. The meeting was led by the prominent Breslov rabbis: Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shechter, Rabbi Moshe Kramer, and Rabbi Natan Liebermensch, with the aim of deciding what guidance to give to yeshiva students and married scholars who are at risk of arrest if they show up at Ben Gurion Airport.
At the gathering, representatives from all organizations active in opposing the draft addressed the rabbis, presenting all the relevant considerations for determining what instructions should be given to the chassidim regarding reporting to the army, risk of arrest, or enlistment. For over an hour, representatives of various groups took the stage one after another, briefing the rabbis in detail on the latest developments at recruitment offices, detention centers, and within the IDF.
During the event, dramatic deliberations took place among the Breslov leaders. Rabbi Moshe Kramer arrived at the gathering but left shortly after to go to Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shechter’s home. There, together with Rabbi Natan Liebermensch and other senior leaders of the community, they held a meeting that lasted about three hours, reviewing the matter point by point until reaching a final decision.
It is important to note that while participation in the fight against the draft is indeed significant, for Breslov Chassidim, the pilgrimage to Uman is considered the most important aspect of the Chassidus. Thus, the pressing question arose — what should one do in this dire situation caused by government policies?
Over one hundred senior spiritual leaders, educators, and heads of study groups from across the country and from all streams of Breslov — traditional Breslovers, Chassidic Breslovers, Sephardic Breslovers, and even Lithuanian Breslovers — participated in the gathering. Speeches were delivered by the aforementioned leading rabbis, preceded by influential figures such as Rabbi Natan Shapira, Rabbi Yechezkel Sasson, Rabbi Nachman Kenig (who read a letter from Rabbi Ephraim Kenig, leader of the “Nachal Novea” community in Tzfat), Rabbi Avraham Shimon Burstein, and others.
The gathering concluded with a written resolution stating that “the military draft is considered outright religious persecution (“gezeirat shmad”). It is absolutely inconceivable to fall into the trap laid out by the authorities by agreeing to any form of enlistment — military, national, or civil service — under any guise or pretense. The statement emphasized that such steps are the root of all transgression, that the authorities’ promises are utterly unreliable, and that enlistment itself is a grave prohibition (“chaticha de’isura”) as unanimously ruled by the great Torah leaders of this generation. Therefore, no justification, no matter how great, can permit participation in any form of military or alternative service.
“Although it is well known how critical and essential it is to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, about which Rebbe Nachman himself said, “There is nothing greater than this”, this only applies when such a journey does not involve transgressing Torah prohibitions. All the more so in the case of such a serious and terrible prohibition as this one.
“In order to avoid the risk of arrest, which carries many severe spiritual dangers and pitfalls, every individual must be extremely cautious and take all possible measures to avoid such a situation. It is absolutely clear that anyone with an active arrest warrant must not attempt to leave the country, as doing so would place them in danger of arrest. Violating this would be considered a breach of boundaries with potentially life-altering consequences.
“Responsibility falls on educators, spiritual mentors, and community rabbis to instruct their students and followers in accordance with these guidelines, and to ensure that young Breslov followers do not fall into serious spiritual danger.
“The merit of our firm stance in upholding the Torah in its purity should stand by us, that we may merit to draw close to Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, of blessed memory, to walk in his ways and uphold his sacred advice. Through this, may we come to truly know G-d and keep His Torah and commandments with sincerity and simplicity. The decree is destined to be annulled. May we soon merit the salvation of the Jewish people, the end of oppressive rule, and the revelation of G-d’s sovereignty soon and in our days.”
It should be noted that tens of Breslov youth with arrest warrants gave themselves in to military police, hoping that after their release they would have an easier time making their way to Uman. Galei Tzahal journalist Daniel Groweis reports that several of these youth eventually enlisted in the IDF after being offered favorable conditions for their service, and this may have prompted the current gathering and proclamation from the senior Breslov rabbis.
