Rosh HaShanah part 3

Anyone who has been following my posts, is certainly aware of my boundless admiration for Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810). In my opinion, he is not only the greatest religious thinker in Jewish history, but in the annals of world religions as well. His approach to Rosh HaShanah is, as we would expect, very unique.Very suddenly, in 1798, he picked himself up and began an amazing journey to Eretz Israel. He only had enough money to get as far as Odessa. With few provisions, accompanied by one of his followers, he set out on the perilous journey. It was the middle of the Napoleonic wars. He even hinted that there was a spiritual connection between himself and Napoleon..The seas were fraught with danger. There are entire books written about his journey. He, at one point, found himself prisoner on a Turkish warship. They wanted to sell him as a slave. He was ransomed by a wealthy Jew in Rhodes. There was misadventure after misadventure. But these were "meni'ot!" (obstacles).  He had to break them in order to break through the forces which kept us in Exile, spiritually as well as physically. The journey took a little over a year. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, he arrived in Haifa. He walked a few paces, and made a startling statement. "I have received a perception of G-d that none have ever perceived. I have been given a gift of Rosh Hashanah. From now on, all my followers must come to me for Rosh Hashanah". The meaning of this is far beyond my understanding. However, one can understand to a degree. Rosh Hashanah is the death of the old year, the death of the old "me", and the birth of a new year and a new "me". But it's not about simply changing. It's about transformation to ultimate good. Like the moon seeming about to disappear, then suddenly reappearing and achieving a great brightness, so man has his cycles. The Tzaddik can be instrumental in guiding that transformation, while he is in battle not only with Evil, but with G-d's own attribute of stern judgment. The Tzaddik endeavors to change judgement to mercy, dread to joy. In the presence of the Tzaddik, Rosh Hashanah is a joyous cosmic celebration of rebirth, rather than the traditional concept of a Day of Awe and Judgement. When he returned to Ukraine, followers began to flock to him for Rosh Hashanah. Even after his passing, many still flock to his resting place for these days. In recent years, some 80,000 people come to the city of Uman in Ukraine. Of the seventeen times I personally have been there, thirteen have been on Rosh Hashanah. These were unforgettable, transformational, experiences. Even in times of political turmoil, followers of Rabbi Nachman make the pilgrimage, coming from the U.S., Israel, U.K., Canada, France...everywhere! There are many people who oppose this on various grounds. One (Orthodox) Jewish newspaper recently published a hate-filled scathing critique of the "Cult of Uman". But for Rabbi Nachman's followers, this is just another "obstacle", darkness to be overcome, penetrated, and broken. Many famous rabbis make the trip. None are sorry. Services are conducted there not only in the Chassidic, Ashkenazi rite, but Sephardic and Yemenite as well. Breslov is today a truly multi-cultural movement! As Rabbi Nachman hid his customs, these are not a major part of Breslov tradition, and each adherent keeps his own ways. One year, when I was unable to attend, I spoke to my teacher, Rabbi N.D. Kiwak. He said "One must do everything possible to go and take part. But, if it's ten minutes before sundown on Rosh Hashanah eve, and you're still not there, connect yourself from wherever you are". For Breslovers, Rosh Hashanah is seen as a most joyous day of coming to G-d, of transforming our lives. Rabbi Nachman once said about crying on Rosh Hashanah. "Yes, tears of joy". In Scripture, Elisha the prophet is sometimes called "Elisha, the Man of G-d", and sometimes just "Elisha". The rabbis of the Talmud comment "when his students were with him, he was the "Man of G-d:. When alone, he was Elisha". Let us band together on Rosh HaShanah, spiritually, if not physically. Let us be part of the transformation of the Universe...and of ourselves!