Almost 30,000 pilgrims have already arrived in Uman to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Part could not reach because of Iranian shelling of Israel.
Points of attention
- Uman welcomed more than 30,000 pilgrims for the Rosh Hashanah celebration, but about 14,000 could not get there due to Iranian shelling on Israeli territory.
- Hasids hold prayers in the city and clearly express their support for peace in Ukraine during the celebration.
- Security measures are in place at the Hasidic campus, including thorough vetting and monitoring by the police and other services.
- The grave of the tzaddik Nachman, the founder of the Bratslav current of Hasidism, attracts thousands of pilgrims who believe in happiness when meeting Rosh Hashanah at this very festive place.
- The Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah is celebrated on October 3, but traditionally the rites take place from the evening of the previous day until the evening of the holiday itself, ushering in the new year 5785 according to the Jewish calendar.
The celebration of Rosh Hashanah has begun in Uman
As reported in the United Jewish Community of Ukraine, more than 30,000 Hasidim have already arrived in Uman, Cherkasy region, to celebrate Rosh Hashanah.
More than 14,000 willing Hasidic pilgrims could not reach Uman. Some of them are due to yesterday's massive shelling of Israel by Iran and the closure of airspace and cancellation of flights, the United Jewish Community of Ukraine noted.
Around 10,000 Bratslav Hasids took part in the Tikun a-Klali mass prayer in Uman at noon on October 2. Pilgrims also pray for peace in Ukraine.
It is noted that security and law and order in Uman are monitored by policemen, national guardsmen, rescuers of the State Emergency Service, the medical service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and others.
Every pilgrim goes through a thorough check in Uman — there are roadblocks with introscopes, scanners and special metal detector frames at the three entrances to the pilgrimage area. Interpreters work in the field. According to OEOU, policemen check people, their belongings and vehicles.
What is known about the celebration of Rosh Hashanah
In Uman there is the grave of the tzaddik (righteous man) Nachman, the founder of the so-called Bratslav current of Hasidism, one of the most revered shrines and a place of pilgrimage for representatives of this current.
All Jews from this stream of Hasidism consider it their duty to visit the grave of Tzadik Nachman at least once in their life and believe that the new year, if they meet him on the holiday of Rosh Hashanah in Uman, will certainly be happy for them.
This year, the Jewish new year according to the Gregorian calendar will come on October 3 and last for 2 days. However, Jews celebrate all holidays with sunset on the eve of the celebration, so Rosh Hashanah 2024 is celebrated from the evening of October 2nd to the evening of October 4th. The year 5785 will come for the Jews.
