Breslover Leaders Signal Preferred Likud Primary Candidates Ahead of Uman Rosh Hashanah Pilgrimage

Breslover Leaders Signal Preferred Likud Primary Candidates Ahead of Uman Rosh Hashanah Pilgrimage

With less than a month remaining until the annual Rosh Hashanah gathering in Uman, a prominent Breslover rov has publicly highlighted several Likud politicians whom he says have assisted Breslover chassidim over the years, just hours before the party’s primary elections. Rav Yaakov Jan, the rabbi of Uman, issued a letter ahead of the Likud primaries stressing the importance of traveling to the gravesite of Rav Nachman of Breslov in Uman and expressing gratitude toward Israeli public officials who, he said, have worked on behalf of the Breslover community. In the letter, Rav Jan addressed Likud members for whom continued access to Uman and the ability to visit Rav Nachman’s gravesite are important issues. He pointed to the efforts of several government ministers and Knesset members who have assisted Breslover chassidim and the annual pilgrimage. Among the politicians specifically named were Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Minister Dudi Amsalem, Minister May Golan, and MK Ze’ev Elkin. According to Rav Jan, Breslover chassidim do not forget those who have helped them over the years, and he said the appeal ahead of the primaries was rooted in the Jewish principle of hakaras hatov — showing gratitude to those who have provided assistance. “We are returning the favor,” the letter stated, emphasizing what Rav Jan described as the special relationship between the Breslover community and public officials who have worked to assist with matters involving Uman and those traveling to Rav Nachman’s gravesite. The letter was released against the backdrop of the Likud primaries and is expected to attract attention among party members, particularly given the importance Breslover chassidim attach to maintaining access to Uman and preserving relationships with Israeli decision-makers who can assist the annual pilgrimage. {Matzav.com}