Breslov Rabbis Urge Followers Not to Register for IDF Draft to Secure Uman Trip

Senior rabbis in the Breslov Hasidic community have circulated a recording urging draft-dodgers not to register with the Israeli military recruitment offices merely to gain permission to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah prayers. This message responds to a troubling trend among some community members who, despite not appearing for military summons, have expressed willingness to serve or perform alternative service to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in exchange for lifting their travel bans. These bans prevent them from leaving Israel, blocking their pilgrimage to Rabbi Nachman’s grave in Uman, Ukraine. In response, leading Breslov rabbis convened and collectively advised against consenting to enlistment solely to secure travel permits, even if it means missing the pilgrimage this year.