The grave of Tzadik Nachman in Uman received the status of a monument of national significance - decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine + history of the place

On July 2, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to grant the burial site of Tzadik Rabbi Nachman in the city of Uman the status of a site of national significance. This decision enhances the protection of the holy site and highlights its unique value for both Ukrainian and Jewish cultural and spiritual heritage. This was reported by the government representative in the Verkhovna Rada, Taras Melnychuk. "The category of the local landmark 'Prominent Site — the Tomb of Tzadik Nachman', located at Hryhorii Kosynka Street 1, Uman, Cherkasy region, has been changed to a national landmark under the category of history." The tomb of Tzadik Rabbi Nachman is the central pilgrimage site for Breslov Hasidim, especially during Rosh Hashanah. In 2025, the Jewish New Year falls on October 2–4, and tens of thousands of pilgrims from Israel and other countries are expected to arrive. The History of Rabbi Nachman's Grave in Uman: From Neglect to a National Symbol Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810) was the grandson of the Baal Shem Tov and founder of Breslov Hasidism, one of the deepest and most influential spiritual paths in Jewish tradition. During the final months of his life, he suffered from a serious illness and decided to move to Uman, the site where thousands of Jews were massacred during the Haidamak uprising in 1768. He explained this as a desire to be buried near the martyrs who had died for their faith. On October 16, 1810 (17 Tishrei 5571), during the Sukkot holiday, Rabbi Nachman passed away and was buried in the Jewish cemetery in Uman. Spiritual Legacy and the Power of Tikkun Klali Shortly before his death, Rabbi Nachman made a spiritual promise that became the foundation for Hasidic pilgrimage: «מי שיבוא על קברי ויתן פרוטה לצדקה ויאמר אלו העשרה מזמורים – אני אתאמץ מאוד להושיעו» "Whoever comes to my grave, gives a coin to charity, and recites these ten psalms — I will exert myself greatly to help him." This refers to Tikkun Klali, the general remedy for the soul through the recitation of ten specific Psalms. This practice is especially important on Rosh Hashanah, when the tzadik is believed to intercede on behalf of pilgrims during the Heavenly Judgment. An even stronger expression is preserved in oral tradition: «אפילו אם הוא בשאול תחתית – אמשכהו משם» "Even if he is in the lowest depths of hell — I will pull him out." Destruction and Forgetting in the 20th Century Until the 1920s, pilgrims visited Rabbi Nachman's grave annually. After the Bolshevik revolution, everything changed: - In the 1930s, the synagogue at the site was turned into a metal factory; - The cemetery was built over with residential buildings and gardens; - Pilgrimage was forbidden and dangerous. Despite this, even during the Stalinist era, individual Hasidim came secretly, posing as tourists. Until the mid-1930s, a small underground beit midrash operated at the site. Revival: From Small Groups to Tens of Thousands With the beginning of perestroika in the USSR, pilgrimage resumed: - 1988: 250 pilgrims celebrated Rosh Hashanah in Uman for the first time. - 1989: about 1,000 participants. - 1990: over 2,000. - 1991: dozens of flights from Israel, the US, Canada, UK, France, Australia. After the collapse of the USSR, the pilgrimage became massive. By 2015–2016, the number of pilgrims during Rosh Hashanah reached 30,000–31,000 annually. State Recognition: Kravchuk’s 1994 Decree On June 7, 1994, by decree of President Leonid Kravchuk, Rabbi Nachman’s grave received official status as a historical and cultural center. Land Purchase and the Establishment of a Foundation In the early 1990s, Breslov Hasidim purchased the land on which the grave and its adjacent infrastructure are located. In 1996, the International Charitable Foundation of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov was registered in Uman, with Nathan Ben-Nun as its president. The foundation manages: - synagogues and prayer halls; - educational institutions (cheders); - mikvahs and charity points; - hostels for pilgrims; - security services and medical support. Reburial Attempt: Conflict with the Tzadik's Will In January 1993, during a visit to Jerusalem, President Leonid Kravchuk agreed to the possible transfer of Rabbi Nachman’s remains to Israel. However, this provoked a strong reaction from Breslov Hasidim, as such a move contradicted the tzadik’s own will. Later, two Israeli Hasidim attempted to exhume the grave secretly but were stopped by Ukrainian police. Since then, the issue of transfer has been officially closed. Yushchenko’s Decree and an Unfulfilled Program In 2005, President Viktor Yushchenko signed a decree instructing the Cabinet to develop a state support program for pilgrimages to Uman. However, the government failed to implement it. In 2007, during a visit to Israel, representatives of the foundation presented Yushchenko with a Cup of Blessing in gratitude for his support of the pilgrims and recognition of Uman's significance for the Jewish people. Anti-Semitic Act of Vandalism in 2016 In December 2016, a building on the complex’s territory was doused in red paint and a pig’s head with a swastika was thrown inside. The crime caused an international outcry and was taken under personal control of Ukraine’s Prosecutor General. Official Website of Rabbi Nachman’s Tomb The Uman complex has an official website: https://rabbinachman.net The site provides up-to-date information on: - the spiritual significance of the place; - pilgrimage guidelines; - the option to submit names for prayer; - donations for mikvahs, candles, food, and complex needs; - logistics and safety during wartime; - the foundation’s structure and operations in Ukraine and abroad. What Are "Monuments of National Importance" in Ukraine and What Does It Mean for the Grave of Tzadik Nachman? Monuments of national importance in Ukraine are heritage sites that hold exceptional historical, spiritual, artistic, scientific, or cultural value. They are protected at the state level and included in the State Register of Immovable Monuments of Ukraine by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers. Criteria for National Status To receive the status of a national monument, a site must meet one or more of the following criteria: - Uniqueness and exceptional historical significance — participation in key events or association with prominent individuals; - Architectural and artistic value — a monument of architecture, construction, or art; - Religious and cultural significance — a special role for an entire nation or religious community, both historically and today; - International recognition — a site of pilgrimage or international attention. What Changes with National Status? Granting the grave of Tzadik Nachman in Uman the status of a national monument means: Before After Protection at the local level State-level protection under Ukrainian law Limited restoration resources Priority funding for preservation, improvement, and security No strict rules for nearby construction Development restrictions in the protection zone Lower international status Recognition at national and international levels What Does It Mean for the Hasidic Community and Pilgrims? For the Jewish community in Ukraine and Hasidim around the world, this Cabinet decision of July 2, 2025 is a historic milestone. The Ukrainian government now takes official responsibility for preserving the grave of the founder of Breslov Hasidism. This ensures long-term protection of the holy site from vandalism, unauthorized development, and bureaucratic instability. The grave of Tzadik Nachman is no longer just a religious site, but a recognized national symbol of Ukraine’s spiritual heritage. It is an important step in strengthening the bond between the Ukrainian and Jewish peoples, which is especially vital in today’s world. Moreover, this status opens doors for international cooperation in cultural tourism, attracting investments, and organizing pilgrimages in partnership with both Ukrainian and foreign stakeholders. Thus, the new status is not just a formality. It is a recognition of the deep connection between this place, the history of Ukraine, and the Jewish people. No matter how the political situation evolves, state protection ensures that the memory of Tzadik Nachman will be preserved for future generations. You can follow updates on this topic and other important developments in Jewish life in Ukraine on the website of NAnews – Israel News. Conclusion: A Place That Unites The designation of the grave of Rabbi Nachman as a monument of national importance is an act of memory, respect, and recognition. It is a gesture that strengthens ties between the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples, between Israel and Ukraine, between spiritual heritage and modern statehood. https://nikk.agency/en/the-grave-of-tzadik/