Breslov Rabbanim Declare: “Better to Miss Uman Than Fall Into the IDF Trap”

A dramatic emergency conference was held Wednesday night with over 100 leading Breslover Rabbanim and community leaders from across Eretz Yisrael to confront the looming crisis: more than 10,000 chassidim risk arrest by military police if they attempt to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah.

For over an hour, experts who advise bnei yeshiva on conscription issues presented the harsh reality of the draft, the detention centers, and the dangers posed by the army’s “recruitment tracks.” Afterward, senior Breslover Rabbanim—including HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Meir Shechter, shlit”a, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Kramer, shlit”a, and HaGaon HaRav Natan Libermansch, shlit”a—gathered at the home of Rav Shechter for three hours of intense deliberation before issuing their final psak.

Their words left no room for doubt:

“Since the conscription decree is a gezeiras shmad, no one should allow themselves to fall into the IDF’s trap by signing onto any track—military, national, or civil service. Reality has proven again and again that their promises are worthless. Beyond this, the very act of service itself is chaticheh d’issura, as all Gedolei Yisrael have unanimously ruled. There is no heter for this under any circumstances.”

The Rabbanim acknowledged the great obligation and zechus of traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, quoting Rebbe Nachman’s words that “there is nothing greater than this.” But they stressed:

“That is only when it does not involve Torah prohibitions. And here, the issur is severe beyond compare. No ‘mitzvah’ can ever override an issur chamur like this.”

Therefore, the Rabbanim instructed chassidim to exercise the greatest caution:

• Avoid Arrest at All Costs: “Each person must guard his soul and do everything possible not to reach a state of arrest, chalilah.”
• Do Not Leave With an Active Warrant: “Anyone with an existing arrest warrant must not attempt to leave the country. He is placing himself directly into danger. Whoever violates this is poretz geder chayav miso.”
• Rabbinic Responsibility: Rabbanim, mashpi’im, and educators were urged to guide their followers firmly in these instructions and prevent young Breslov chassidim from exposing themselves to “spiritual dangers and stumbling blocks.”

The message was clear: while the yearning to be with Rebbe Nachman in Uman remains eternal, nothing can justify falling into the trap of a government decree designed to uproot Torah.