The large statue of Jesus on the cross recently erected by Ukrainian locals near the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in the Ukrainian town of Uman and which was subsequently defaced with anti-Christian Hebrew graffiti, apparently by Breslov hasidim, is a “clear provocation,” Ukraine’s haredi Chief Rabbi Yaakov Bleich said, adding that the statue should be removed.
Take Down Jesus Statue, Ukraine’s Haredi Chief Rabbi Says
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
The large statue of Jesus on the cross recently erected by Ukrainian locals near the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in the Ukrainian town of Uman and which was subsequently defaced with anti-Christian Hebrew graffiti, apparently by Breslov hasidim, is a “clear provocation,” Ukraine’s haredi Chief Rabbi Yaakov Bleich reportedly said, adding that the statue should be removed.
“Ukraine is not a Jewish country and Ukrainian Jews respect Christian symbols like crosses. However, the cross raised in Uman, in the immediate vicinity of the tomb of Rabbi Nachman, is a clear provocation,” the New York born chief rabbi reportedly told the Ukrainian news site Еvreiskiy.kiev.ua.
Haredim have for years repeatedly spit on and otherwise abused Christian clergy in Jerusalem’s Old City – incidents that were well-publicized worldwide – and routinely spit when passing churches there.
In Uman, hasidim visiting for their annual pilgrimage have repeatedly clashed with non-Jewish locals and have run roughshod over local laws and customs.
The recent Hebrew graffiti defacing the Jesus on the cross statue reads in translation: “To exact vengeance on the gentiles” and “Stop desecrating the name of God.”
Bleich complained that the visiting hasidim “will not be able to pray [at Rabbi Nachman’s grave] this year” because the hated statue is visible. It will stop them from performing the tashlich prayer in which one’s sins are cast into water, Bleich told the JTA, adding that the installation of the statue was not endorsed by the leadership of various Christian churches or by local civil authorities, who he thinks should intervene on behalf of the hasidim.
The statue was ostensibly erected to commemorate the conversion of what is now Ukraine and Russia to Christianity more than 1200 years ago.