The Ukraine Cabinet of Ministers has upgraded the status of the tomb in Uman of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov to that of a monument of national significance. It had previously been recognized as a local monument.
The ruling, adopted July 2, states:
“The category of the local heritage site ‘Landmark site: Grave of Tzadik Nachman’, located at 1 Hryhoriya Kosynky Street in the city of Uman, Cherkasy region, has been changed to a monument of national significance under the historical category.”
Rabbi Nachman, who died in 1810, was the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement, and at Rosh Hashanah thousands — even tens of thousands — of followers flock to his grave amid ecstatic celebrations. The ongoing war has not stopped them.
Pilgrims and entrepreneurs have built up a sprawling infrastructure of new buildings and businesses to deal with the annual mass influx.
The Ukrainian business news site komersant,info said the upgrade in the tomb’s heritage status would offer enhanced control and protection from illegal construction.
“Granting Tzadik Nachman’s grave the status of a monument of national significance is a step toward strengthening control over the preservation of this important cultural and spiritual heritage,” it wrote. “This decision will make it possible to more effectively counteract illegal construction and ensure an appropriate level of protection for a site of international religious significance.”
(JH)
