Why Go to Uman for Rosh Hashanah?

Rebbe Natan of Breslev was Rebbe Nachman’s primary student who wrote down all of his works. It’s safe to say that he knew a little bit about the greatness of Rebbe Nachman. Rebbe Natan said: “Even if the path to Uman was lined with knives – meaning certain death – I would crawl on my hands and knees to get there for Rosh Hashanah!” 

Rebbe Nachman himself said: “My Rosh Hashanah is higher than everything.” There are spiritual rectifications that even Rebbe Nachman himself cannot arrange for a person if he comes to Uman during the year. But on Rosh Hashanah, Rebbe Nachman can do it! 

Rosh Hashanah is literally “Judgment Day.” The Gemara says that the Satan stands as an accuser, and every person is judged for the entire next year. How can you go through such a big and important trial without the best lawyer? I am terrified to come to Rosh Hashanah without my lawyer who for sure will help me be found worthy before the court and secure a good year for me! 

Don’t Give Up! 

If you really want to go, you will go. You must really want it! Stand and pray and plead before Hashem to go, every single day! There is no such thing as “I cannot go.” There is only you don’t want it badly enough. I have seen it myself many times – people who had no way to go to Uman managed to get there. People who weren’t allowed to leave the country, got the block cancelled at the last moment. If you have yearning, desire, will, and prayers – you can get whatever you want in spirituality, including Uman Rosh Hashanah! 

Even if you’re already planning to go – start preparing yourself with prayers. Just going is gigantic. But if you go with prayers  and y earning, then you prepare vessels for yourself – and now Rebbe Nachman can help you even more. 

No One should be Missing! 

Rebbe Nachman commanded: “No one is to be missing!” Anyone who has been there, will never miss another year ever! It is impossible to describe the holiness and the spiritual awakening. You just cannot imagine what is Uman Rosh Hashanah! Go, and then you will understand! 

Rebbe Nachman said that before Mashiach comes everyone will be yearning after me. For a long time the Tzion was almost always empty. Once upon a time, no one even knew about Rebbe Nachman and Breslev! I was searching for a particular Breslev book and in every bookstore I went to, they said, “Who? What Rebbe? Breslev? What’s that?” Now every Shabbat, there are buses in Uman. Rosh Hashanah just keeps getting bigger and better. The light  of  Rebbeinu just keeps growing! 

Every person who comes to Uman has a portion in the Redemption! When Mashiach comes, we will all travel with him to Uman. If you already went to Uman before it was revealed, then you will receive reward for going. But if you only go with Mashiach because now you understand why, then you won’t get a reward for going. 

Tikkun Klali 

I want to emphasize the importance of Tikkun Klali – the Ten Psalms that Rebbe Nachman revealed. Even the Zohar says that there is no rectification for some sins, and Rabbeinu says: Say Tikkun Klali for sure you will certainly rectify everything! You cannot imagine what is this thing – saying Tikkun Klali at the Tzion of Rebbe Nachman in Uman! 

Recognize that it is a treasure. Don’t waste your time! If you have to buy something, fine, but don’t spend time looking around. As much as you can, be at the Tzion saying another Tikkun Klali.  

However, people think you have to be inside and it’s a mistake. All that matters is that you can see some wall of the Tzion, or some corner. If you get closer and then you can’t focus because of the pushing and noise, then it’s better to be farther away, as long as you can see something.  

Tikkun Klali works for everything, as long as you don’t sin on purpose. If you say to yourself, “I have  Rabbeinu’s  promise.  I’ll do whatever I want and go to Uman on Rosh Hashanah.” It doesn’t work! But if you are doing your best and you make whatever mistakes you make – then you have a promise from the Rebbe! 

Erev Rosh Hashanah 

It’s very important to be in Uman for the last Selichot. This year, it’s Motzei Shabbat – which means that you need to get to Uman already before Shabbat. People think they can arrive even Sunday morning, but it’s a big mistake. Do whatever you can but earlier is better. 

It is also customary to give a Pidyon Nefesh – Redemption of the Soul – on Erev Rosh Hashanah. It’s very important. It sweetens the judgments in all the courts for the entire year! 

And the Tikkun Klali that we all say together Erev Rosh Hashanah; I have no words to explain the feeling. It is impossible not to cry! 

Make sure to prepare as much as possible in advance so that you have time to sit down and do a real self-accounting of your year. Really, it’s impossible to explain what it’s like in Uman – the teshuva, the prayers, the hitbodedut. No matter what you did the entire year, come into Rosh Hashanah with teshuva, as a “baal teshuva.” Then you can rectify the entire past year, and set for yourself a good next year! 

On Rosh Hashanah Itself 

It is important to pray in big minyan. The bigger the minyan, the bigger the rectification. People pray on the side, in small minyan – everything is good but even though it’s harder to be in a big minyan and find place to pray, it’s worth it. At the Tzion itself there is a gigantic minyan, and of course in the new shul there will be a big minyan, and at the Kloiz. 

It’s also important to be happy on Rosh Hashanah. If you go to Uman, then is very easy to be happy. That’s it! Be happy the entire year and it starts on Rosh Hashanah itself!

Rebbe Nachman said: “Whether you pray or you don’t pray; whether you sleep or you don’t sleep; whether you eat or you don’t eat; just make sure to be with me for Rosh Hashanah!” 

It’s a gift! A huge gift! 

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