Question: What are the practical preparations needed for being in Uman for Rosh HaShanah?
Answer: Ok. Here we go. The following are some good suggestions to making the most of the Uman Rosh Hashanah experience.
Arrival in Uman
- The general outlook and devotion of Elul is that of intense Torah study and prayer. By all the additional Elul Torah study (Tikkuney Zohar, Rebbe Nachman's teachings etc.) and selichot, psalms, personal prayers etc., this pushes up the momentum leading to Rosh Hashanah. Meaning, that once one actually makes it to Uman, one should continue this momentum.
- Due to the excitement of finally making it to Uman, people tend to "relax" and enjoy shmoozing with friends and meeting new people. However, this stops the momentum. It is suggested to tell people "we'll talk later" since anyways this year Shabbat follows immediately after Rosh Hashanah, and then is a good time to meet people.
- As soon as one arrives in Uman - after briefly unpacking - one should head straight to the mikveh. This, in line with what the Rebbe said: "the first thing is mikveh".
- Since saying the Tikkun Haklali - the 10 Psalms prescribed by Rebbe Nachman as the complete remedy - by Rebbe Nachman's gravesite is of paramount importance, one should immediately do so following the mikveh. Make sure to first give a coin for the benefit of the soul of Rebbe Nachman ben Feiga.
- Try to spend as much time as possible by the Rebbe's grave. He said explicitly that it was his wish and desire that people should come daven and learn by his grave, as this would give him tremendous delight and pleasure.
- With the arriving crowds constantly growing and growing as Rosh Hashanah approaches, one might find it difficult to concentrate on Torah study and prayer by the Rebbe's grave. Still, one should nevertheless do one's best to spend maximum time by the Rebbe's grave, since this propitious time can help one tap-in to deep recesses of the soul. And anyways, how many people have another opportunity like this to be by Rebbe Nachman?
The Eve of Rosh Hashanah
- The Eve of Rosh Hashanah is a very special time - the last day of the year! After eating well, since it is a fast-day until noon, one should go to sleep early in order to wake up early.
- If one can wake up at midnight, go to the mikveh, say the Tikkun Chatzot prayer, hitbodedut etc., very well. If not, then one should make sure to get up for the early Selichot service called Zekhor Brit. The Breslov tradition is that the Rosh Hashanah gathering "technically" begins with this Selichot service of Erev Rosh Hashanah.
- After the morning services and the accompanying "Hatarat Nedarim" (annulment of vows) it is recommended to go to Rebbe Nachman's grave to say the Tikkun Haklali, along with Reb Noson's powerful prayer recited afterwards. You should of course add along your own personal words.
- The Breslov custom is to do what's called "Viduy Devarim" (confession) before Rebbe Nachman on the Eve of Rosh Hashanah. This is based on Likutey Moharan lesson 4 along with the commentary called Parparot LeChockmah on the same lesson - see there for more details about this. To assist oneself in doing this, you can use Reb Noson's powerful prayer - The 50th Gate volume 1 prayer 4 - which gives a sample and example of doing confession before a Tzaddik.
- One should do what is called a Pidyon Nefesh (redemption of the soul) on the Eve of Rosh Hashanah. This entails giving an amount of money to someone special - i.e. a Breslov elder - who then recites the special redemption prayer on your behalf.
- At exactly noon Ukraine-time is the world Tikkun Haklali recitation. This important event is special since it is an opportunity to say the Tikkun Haklali at the Rebbe's grave on behalf of friends, family etc. who did not make it to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. Thus, the earlier recital is a personal rectification while this one is seen as a "national" one with you and everyone else present as the representatives.
- After eating and resting, one should go again to the mikveh in preparation for the New Year.
- Mincha - the last prayer of the year. It is said slowly and with major concentration. In a sense it is like giving the "last punch" after struggling all year to concentrate on the daily prayer services.
First Night of Rosh Hashanah
- The Maariv prayer services - powerful and full of energy. This is when you can feel the "pride, glory and merit" of being with Rebbe Nachman for Rosh Hashanah. The joy reaches it's pinnacle after the services when wishing one another "a good and sweet year, inscribed and sealed immediately in the books of the true tzaddikim for good life and peace.
- Since Rebbe Nachman stated that [through his "connections" in Heaven] those who come to him are judged immediately on the first night of Rosh Hashanah, one should be careful not to talk excessively so as not to ruin it.
First Day of Rosh Hashanah
- Because the Breslover davening takes a long time (6am-3:30pm) one will find very limited time to do other required devotions. Thus, one must be wise to grab time.
- In the main Breslover minyan in the kloyz there are 2 main breaks - 20 minutes for selling the Aliyah's for the Torah reading, and another 20 minutes before the initial shofar blowing. You can use this time for learning halakha, the Parasha etc. During the second break a special chazzan goes up to recite the Tikkun Haklali, so you can join in on that too.
- Because Mincha and Tashlich are not long after the Yom Tov meal, it is suggested not to over-eat so as not be groggy.
- The Tashlich service is done by a lake located below the kloyz. It was the sight of a major massacre of Uman Jews by the Nazis. The joy after the Tashlich is immense, since, in a sense, it is called the "coronation of the King" and is like a new beginning.
- After Tashlich, there are a wide variety of classes in all languages given by Breslover elders. This was the time that Rebbe Nachman would originally give over Torah. The custom continues until today.
Second Night & Day of Rosh Hashanah
- The attitude is more calm and compassionate with the climax being the Mussaf prayers of the second day.
- There is less rush and tension since the day prayers are a bit shorter, and there is no Tashlich service to run to. However, since it is Erev Shabbat one should make some time to go to the Mikveh on Friday afternoon before the Mincha service.
Shabbat After Rosh Hashanah
- This Shabbat in Breslov is called "another Rosh Hashanah". In a sense, it is a continuation of the Rosh Hashanah light and experience.
- The Friday night davening is literally "out of this world". If you can, try davening in the main Breslov minyan in the Kloyz. Lekha Dodi alone will last at least 30-45 minutes with everyone ecstatic and grateful to making it to be by Rebbe Nachman for Rosh Hashanah.
- Use this Shabbat to "discover" Breslov. There will be tons of ongoing classes in all languages, and is a very good time to connect with new and old people/friends. This is especially so with the Torah classes given at the Third Meal.
Motzaei Shabbat
- Uman goes on fire after Shabbat. There is live music all night long, Breslov books and CD's for sale, etc. The high people feel is meant to be taken back home and to build upon.
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The main thing to "remember" is what you take with you from the Uman Rosh Hashanah experience It is no wonder that Rosh Hashanah is also called "Yom HaZikaron" - The Day of Remembrance: to "remember" that you were by Rebbe Nachman for Rosh Hashanah and to continue that memory all year long by connecting to him and his teachings...
May we all merit through his Rosh Hashanah and his teachings to survive this long exile, and properly greet the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days, Amen.
Shana tova.
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A personal request:
I am still short of about $500 for all the Uman Rosh Hashanah expenses (i.e. tickets, food, transportation etc.) for me and my 2 sons.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Help can be sent through paypal at: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=43L2R4XSC7GL4
Please include Hebrew names in the description box on the left so that I can mention them by Rebbe Nachman's grave on the eve of Rosh Hashanah (including placing the kvittel there too).
Thank you and Tizku LeMitzvot.
May we all be inscribed and sealed in the books of the True Tzaddikim for good life and peace, amen.
Sincerely
Meir Elkabas
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