An association of Breslov hasidic rabbis and the “Uman Holiness Guard,” Beslov’s modesty patrol in Uman, Ukraine, issued an announcement before Rosh Hashana asking all women to stay away from the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.
Breslov Rabbis: Stay Away From Uman Immodest Women!
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
An association of Breslov hasidic rabbis and the “Uman Holiness Guard,” Beslov’s modesty patrol in Uman, Ukraine, issued an announcement before Rosh Hashana asking all women to stay away from the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Ynet reported.
The gravesite, located in Uman, has become a large pilgrimage site over Rosh Hashana. This year, at least 20,000 hasidim were expected to travel there from all over the world, including many from Israel.
The Breslov leaders claimed that having women visit the gravesite during the annual pilgrimage could interfere with the prayers recited by the male visitors, distract them, cause them to think impure thoughts, and disrupt the holiness of the site.
The recent increase in the number of women going to Uman for Rosh Hashana is a "huge spiritual interruption,” the Breslov statement said.
Breslov leaders noted that because of the topography of the site, it is impossible to have gender-segregated paths to the gravesite, and that and other similar issues mean that women should not come to Uman.
"While in previous years women wouldn't dare show up on the streets and would hide in their homes and corners throughout the days of the visit, recently, after getting used to coming there, they have dared to breach additional fences and have brought us to a situation in which all walls and fences have been completely breached, and no one has said a thing," the Breslov leaders’ announcement reads, placing the blame for the presumed immodesty on women for being seen in public no matter how modesty clothed.
The Breslov leaders asked hasidim to warn women not come and to stay away from the gravesite if they are already in Uman.
"However, in case of a counter-reaction [from the women you warn], it must be made clear to them that they are breaching a fence and failing the many [male] worshippers [by indulging themselves in the pilgrimage],” the Beslov leaders announcement insisted.