Menachem Herman's Activity

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-12-15T14:18:30Z

B'H

What's News you ask!??!

We have much to share - here is the latest update -

As you know, Uman Experience Retreats have joined forces with Europnim Travel, we are now a full fledged travel agency and can give you the best, most interesting packages you'll ever find!

Next, our latest family members, David Goldstein and Avraham Shapira, have been working day and night on our latest project > Convention Center in Uman <

What is the Convention Center in Uman?

At this point the city of Uman has exceeded its ability to hold the amount of people that wish to come to Rebbe Nachman and receive his Promise! When we do travel there - the infrastructure is weak, services poor, and the crunch that happens Rosh Hashana time, is only increasing each year...

You've heard about it in our latest newsletter; our plan in brief, in the making as we speak, to improve, redo and expand, existing infrastrucers, build a large International facility for travellers world wide and all that entails - we are laying down the initial ground plans now -

We are working with the full co-operation of the powers that be, the Ukrainian government has been wonderful, the Mayor has hand round the clock behind closed door meetings with us, and the wheels are spinning full speed ahead on all fronts.

post meeting picture

left - David Goldstein, CEO of Uman Experience, CFO of Europnim

middle - Mayor Yuri Bodrov, of Uman,Ukraine

right - Avraham Shapiro, CEOof Europnim

We are surprised ourselves at how quickly our plans are moving ahead - the Force is with, we are not making any plans in truth, they have been laid out already, we are just waiting for the total picture to unfold...and please G-d, we'll have the passion to carry out the mission that lays ahead of us.

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-10-08T06:25:40Z

Chodesh Tov!

With loving thanks to our Creator, the Uman Experience is pleased to announce, "Uman Experience Tours", the first of its kind in the world. English speakers, upscale, unique spiritual guides, a total package with VIP service, the minute your foot is off the plane, we whisk you off to relax, while we retrieve your bags, get your passport stamped for you, and you never have to wait in line, or answer any questions!

In answer to the volume of emailswith the question, "is the Uman Experience Retreat open for Chanuka?", the answer is YES!

We open our doors to you for Shabbos Chanuka in Uman with Rav Lazer Brody!

He will be our spiritual guide for questions, guidance and of course some good fun.

If you missed out Rosh Hashana, (even if you didn't!), now is your chance to let us take care of you and spend time on yourself - soaking up the light of Chanuka.

All package details, options, flights and prices will be out soon -

ps. Chanuka is a mens only trip - after which, our list of womans trips and many others will be out.

Call: + 972 524704063

or email the Uman Experience at umanexperience@gmail.com

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-08-20T10:33:25Z

B'H

Uman Experience Retreat Tours

"We are not just a Tour group, we are Family"

New comers to the Uman Experience, Welcome!

…The Uman Experience service makes Uman and the Ukraine wonderfully accessible to those who otherwise might experience extreme hardship. I am happy to unconditionally endorse the Uman Experience." Rav Lazer Brody, http://lazerbrody.typepad - Israel

"…Traveling to Uman can be daunting under the best conditions. Thank G-d for introducing me to the Uman Experience! From the moment I booked the trip until I left, I felt we were in the best of hands. Receiving updates made me feel part of the whole happening. Once arriving in Uman, I was with 2 kids, the warm hospitality awaiting us was like we reached the oasis in the desert. Best part of all, were the fabulous Rabbis who joined us during meals and shared with us the "Uman Experience". We were able to connect, share ideas, ask questions, what can I say...it's a life changing experience…Woodstock is nothing compared to this...Count me in." Asher Moses, www.taximedia.com – London

"When my dad asked me come to Uman this year with him, I was really excited, he said I would find friends and we were met with smiling faces, it was fun meeting Rabbi Brody, Menachem and his boys, it was like home." Jacob Moses, 10 yrs old – London

"I am super stoked to spend Rosh Hashana again with the Uman Experience!!

Eddie Aziz - New York

Everyone has heard of The Secret,

we at the Uman Experience don't have secrets,

We offer you "The PROMISE"

Rebbe Nachman of Brelsov PROMISED:

Whoever travels to his gravesite in Uman and recites The "Tikkun Haklali",

the "General Remedy",

that is 10 psalms: # 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, 150,

and gives a pruta (very small) amount of money for charity,

Rebbe Nachman will intervene in the heavenly courts for that person!

That’s a PROMISE!

Now what have you got to lose?

Join us for our unique English speaking tours offering you a life changing experience! Trips to Uman during the year, along with various Kivray Tzadikim (Shrines of Jewish Holy men), for all types of groups!

Why come to Uman? Lets be honest -

Life is closing in on us. Critical problems, world financial crisis, kids out of control, wars raging or pending, divorce as the new fad, unbelievable stress and “no time” as the IN state of mind, teen drug and alcohol additions, so many questions of “what for, what’s it all mean, when will I be happy, when will I understand”, plague us.

Critical personal situations are begging for resolution, NOW! Coming to Uman helps. The long list of people that have come to Uman for personal salvation is unbelievable...and the people that have been answered is even more so...

On our tours, our spiritual guides will help us gain understanding of emuna – faith, and share real answers about today’s challenging questions, not feed you pop psychology; answering questions that will allow you to face your challenges with new resolve and new tools.

How are our tours different?

Our English speaking management understands travelling is difficult; tiring and disorientating, especially in this part of the world where there are no English signs and once outside the major city, you've walked back into primitive history about 200 years; our tours were created with you in mind, with service and the extra touch, making your tour as pleasant as possible.

Packages - We offer a variety of VIP packages and accommodation selections to meet your needs, just give us a ring or drop us an email about your expected arrival time, if you dont fit into our planned tours, which will be announced monthly, we can offer you a tailored tour to fit your sceduale.

Kashrut - Be at ease with our delicious meals, as we offer quality Mehadrin / Jerusalem Hechsherim.

Rosh Hashana – Rosh Hashana is an unforgettable experience with us, planned a "little different" than during the year, a kind of all men's club, a high energy time and some what hectic, a time that gets etched in our memories forever. Sign up early for 2011!

Looking forward to meeting YOU and sharing

the Uman Experience together!

That's a PROMISE!

EMAIL: umanexperience@gmail.com

WEBSITE: www.umanexperience.com

UMAN: + 380 939 44 8000, ISRAEL: + 972 52 470 4063

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-08-12T21:04:54Z

This story was written by Debbie Shaipro and is published in the book called "Knights of the Uman Table", an excellant read!

Menachem Herman is a well known performer, who lives in Ramat Bet Shemesh, a suburb of Jerusalem, Israel.

on the way to UMAN!

Coming from a traditional background and being that my parents were Shabbat observant, they sent me to Jewish Day School. It was a "Jewish background" , although it wasn't too religious, "Jewish Light". My family is very musical, my mother is a classical violinist and different instruments have been my basics in music. Stating with drums, accordion, base guitar, and guitar.

In 1976 when I was sixteen Rabbi Yossel Rosenzweig and his brother-in-law, Avraham Rosenblum came to Winnipeg to play for the kids at the Jewish high school. Seeing Avraham Rosenblum play rock guitar – imagine, a religious guy with a black beard, and a black kippa, playing rock guitar! – For me that was the big Wow factor! Seeing a Rockin' Rabbi made a tremendous impact on me – and I never looked back from then on.

That summer I went to Israel on a six week tour. One Saturday night they took us through some winding alleyways in the Old City to a courtyard to hear the Diaspora Band! That same rabbi – Rabbi Yossel Rosenzweig - who had come to my school, was there, playing guitar, he was real, you could be religious, play guitar and I checked into that Yeshiva some years later becoming a solid member of the Diaspora Band DYB. We had our last show in Carnegie hall in 1991.

Returning to Winnipeg, met my wife and got married. We both wanted to return to Israel. She had also visited Israel and wanted to live there. We wanted to raise a family and we wanted to raise them in a place with proper Jewish values.

While packing our things to travel to Israel I discovered Reb Zalman Schachter’s translation of Rebbe Nachman's book, Restore My Soul, hidden behind the other books on my father's bookshelf. Opening the book – the Rebbe was speaking directly to me. The Rebbe spoke about feeling up and feeling down, that that's all part of life, and that that's okay. It was exactly what I needed to hear. Reading that book, every time, it still sings my song.

We came to Israel where I studied Torah at the Diaspora Yeshivah . Although I liked what I read in Restore Your Soul, it did not occur to me to look any further. I never thought that Breslov Chassidim existed in real life.

Then, one afternoon in the middle of the week, on of the guys at the yeshivah said, "I just had the most amazing experience. I prayed Mincha in Meah Shearim." I had prayed in Meah Shearim before, and knew that he had also prayed in Meah Shearim before. So couldn't understand why he was so excited about praying the afternoon prayers in Meah Shearim. Then he continued, "I went to this shul where they really meant what they were saying, the Breslov Shul."

Suddenly, everything clicked. The book, Restore My Soul, and now this! I was in Israel for an entire year before I finally discovered that there were real, live Breslov Chassidim living there! I went to the Breslov Yeshivah on Meah Shearim Street. There I met Chaim Kramer and some other nice English speaking Breslov Chassidim. The introduced me to the Rebbe's books, to Likutey Moharan and Likutey Halachos. I left the Diaspora Yeshivah to study in Dvar Jerusalem.

The Rabbi there arranged for me to study Rebbe Nachman's book, Hishtapchus Hanefesh (Outpouring of the Soul), with R. Shimon Noftalis. But a few weeks later my wife and I decided to move to Tsfat so that I could learn in the Breslov Kollel there. Two years later, in 1982, we returned to Jerusalem, where I joined an English speaking Breslov Kollel. So as you can see, we were very involved in Breslov. But in 1982, travel to Uman was still a dream.

Around that time my mother remarried. Her new husband was originally from Russia and he loved adventure. When we told him that we wanted to travel to Uman, he suggested that we try to travel via Bucharest, Romania. So my wife and I, another couple, and my mother with her husband, traveled to Bucharest. In Bucharest we applied for a visa to Uman. We were followed by the secret police – we were questioned, we were promised visas then they said no, and we were rejected. Within two weeks we ended up using all our money and then some without obtaining the visa. We returned to Israel without traveling to Uman.

In 1985, a large group of Rabbi Lazer Berland's students traveled to Uman on false passports. They succeeded in reciting Tikkun HaKlali at the Tzion before the Russians caught them and sent them out of the country. A couple of months later, in May, 1985, a few of us with foreign passports – myself with a Canadian passport, Rabbi Elya Sukkot with an American passport, Rabbi Moshe Mykoff with an American passport, Yisrael Meir Gabbai with a French passport, and Gavriel Savin with an American passport tried to travel to Uman. An Israeli, Yitzchak Anshen, was also planning to travel with us, but he missed the flight out of Israel.

We flew to Bucharest, and from Bucharest took a train into Russia. At the first train station in Russia – Yfgen -- our group – and only our group -- was taken off the train. We had no idea what was going on, it was terrifying. They brought us to closed room and called us, one by one, into the interrogation room. The interrogating officer spoke perfect English. We had no idea what they wanted, but we were foreigners, and they wanted information from us. The interrogating officer asked me a lot of questions. Is Breslov a political group? What's our political mission? What are we trying to accomplish in the world? It took him about ten minutes to realize that I didn't know any of the details about the large group of Israelis that had traveled to Uman on false passports a few weeks earlier. At one point, he said to me, "Did you know that Rebbe Nachman said there's nothing as whole as a broken heart?" I was a bit surprised. I assumed he wasn't Jewish!

Afterwards they made me sign some papers and write that I'm happy to be in Russia. I would have been willing to sign anything to get to Uman! Back in the waiting room, I was pacing back and forth, singing, "Mi yiten li eiver ka'yona. A'ufa Tzion Hakodesh Umana," "If someone would give me a wing like a dove, I would fly to the holy Tzion in Uman." It suddenly dawned on me -- Tzion Hakodesh, the holy Tzion; my wife was expecting in another month, and if it would be a girl, we'd call her Tziona. The name was really not so far-fetched. My late aunt's name was Tzirel Tanya, which sounded like Tziona. I hoped that in the merit of pledging to name a future daughter Tziona, I would be privileged to reach the Tzion!

The interrogation lasted a full twenty-four hours, we were exhausted, hungry, and scared. When it was over, they put us on a train back to Romania. They thought that we were somehow connected with the previous group that had traveled to Uman on false passports. We never got to Uman.

We returned to Israel and discovered that Yitzchak Anshen, the Israeli who had planned to travel with us on a false passport, actually made it to Uman! Those were interesting times!

Finally succeeded in traveling to Uman in the summer of 1989 when the Russians gave permission for a group of Israelis to travel to the Tzion. We were three busloads of men, including several Americans. I took along my son, who was five and a half at the time. Since the trip was legal, we had to go through Intourist, which was the official Soviet Union Tourist Bureau.

They forced us to visit Kiev and tour all sorts of sites. But we just wanted to get to the Tzion. For years we had dreamed of being there, and now we were past impatient! The Israelis screamed at the Intourist guide, but he was not fazed. It was his job to make sure that we toured all the attractions!

Finally we were on our way to Uman. It was strange arriving at the Rebbe's Tzion. In those days it was in a woman's backyard, and there was no gravestone over the actual grave. But one of the Israelis had been there before and knew the Tzion's exact location. He was a bit artistic and outlined the Rebbe's Tzion with a magic marker and wrote inside, "Poh nikbar," "Here he is buried." It was very humbling to stand in front of the Tzaddik's Tzion. I had received so much spiritual strength through the Tzaddik's writings, and now here I was, in Uman! I asked HaShem to help me take the next step, but I wasn't sure what that step would be.

I wanted HaShem to help me understand what I should do while standing there, to show me how to bind myself with the Tzaddik. I realized that in truth, the Tzaddik is there to help me bind to HaShem. It's all interrelated; it's all connected like a chain. Afterwards I helped my son say the Tikkun HaKlali. We stayed at the Tzion for only an hour. After all, it was an official guided tour, and we had to move on, to see other sites. The first time I traveled to Uman for Rosh Hashanah was in 1991.

The following winter, the Ukraine declared independence. That first trip was very difficult. We traveled through Bucharest, Romania. In Bucharest we weren't sure if there would be a plane to take us to Kiev! Some people were so nervous that they started yelling and shouting at each other. Other people were dancing, while yet others were learning. Each person had his own way of handling the tension. Once we got to Kiev there was the hassle of finding the baggage. Then we were interrogated. They made us feel as if we were spies. The whole trip was fraught with tension; spiritual tension, emotional tension. We encountered every possible inconvenience or delay. We were trying to accomplish a great spiritual feat, but, at every stage of the trip, the people around us were doing everything they could to prevent us from accomplishing it.

Since that first trip in 1991, I've traveled to Uman every year. Each year, getting to Uman is a tremendous hassle. There's finding the suitcases at the airport in Kiev, shoving to get onto the busses from the airport to Uman, obtaining the key to my lodging or finding a place to stay. As I get closer to the Tzion, the tension grows stronger. It's a fear that I won't make it. And then, finally, I arrive at the Tzion and am overwhelmed with a mixture of joy and relief; unbelievable joy and relief.

At the Tzion, I feel as if a window within me is being opened to emuna; a window that should always remain open. One year, I took upon myself to pray in Uman for a close friend of mine who had not yet been blessed with children. At the Tzion, I felt everything inside of me opened up and I prayed like I have never prayed before, begging HaShem to have mercy on my friend and his wife, both wonderful people who devote their lives to helping their fellow-Jew. That same year, my friend's wife gave birth to triplets! Although the following story is my personal story, it is really everyone's story.

Rabbi Yaakov Bleich, the Rav of Kiev, hired my band to play Jewish Rock and Roll at a Chanukah concert that he was making for the Jewish community in Kiev. We agreed to come without payment on condition that he would arrange for us to spend Shabbat Chanukah in Uman. Posters were plastered all over Kiev prior announcing the event. At least a thousand people showed up for the concert. For the Russian Jews, it was a powerful experience to see a group of rabbis standing on stage playing rock n' roll! After the concert, we traveled to Uman for Shabbat Chanukah.

At the Tzion, I spent a lot of time prayed that my daughter finds her true soul mate. My daughter married within the year. Her husband had gone to Uman for Rosh Hashanah and decided to remain until after Yom Kippur, to be able to have extra time at the Tzion to pray for his soul mate! The couple married on 5 Tamuz, which, for our family is a very significant date.

Many years before, on that date, I was in a serious car accident. It was a miracle that I was not killed. Since that accident, every year on that date we make a "thanksgiving feast" to thank HaShem for having saved my life. In addition, 5 Tamuz is a significant day for Breslov Chassidim. On that day thirty thousand holy Jews were murdered in Uman because they refused to forsake their religion. The Rebbe asked to be buried next to their mass grave.

One erev Rosh Hashanah in Uman I attended a class given by Rabbi Elchonon Tauber of Los Angeles. He was giving it in the main Kloiz to a group of approximately fifty English speaking men. At the end of the class he said that today, most of us waste too much time worrying, about things that we don't need to worry about. He said, for example, that we're not worried about whether or not we'll have bread and milk to eat. Instead, we're concerned about which brand of ketchup to buy! He said that all these peripherals are mental baggage that weighs us down. It takes away from our joy in living.

Then he said something that I thought was amazing. He said that the mind is like a muscle. An athlete can't become an athlete overnight. If a person wants to run a twenty six mile marathon, he first practices running one mile. Once his muscles are used to that, he can run two miles and so on. A person has to slowly build himself up. He explained that the brain is also a muscle. It doesn't change overnight. We have to train our brains' muscles. The first step is to make a conscious decision to be happy. Happiness has nothing to do with a person's financial status. After all, there are plenty of miserable wealthy people and miserable poor people. Of course being happy is not always easy, but the moment a person realizes that he has slipped, he should flex the muscle of his mind and get back into the happiness mode! He said the concept of doing hitbodedut works the same way.

A person cannot begin speaking to HaShem for an hour a day. As a matter of fact, I once heard Rabbi Avraham Yizchak Carmel of Bnei Brak say that starting out by doing hitbodedut for an hour a day is a segula to go to sleep! That's because a person who is not used to such intense focusing will not be able to handle it. Instead, said Rabbi Tauber, begin with just fifteen minutes, and then, after you've gotten into shape, add a few more minutes until you've worked yourself up to an hour or so. It's a process.

After hearing Rabbi Tauber's shiur, I took on myself to be happy. That wasn't difficult in Uman. But what kept me going after I returned home? It was the memory of being in Uman for Rosh Hashanah, of reciting the Tikkun HaKlali at the Rebbe's Tzion. Erev Rosh Hashanah is amazing. Tens of thousands of people stand together in Uman to recite Tikkun HaKlali. It's a powerful experience, and very, very serious. Everyone's praying wholeheartedly, begging HaShem to end our troubles and bring the Mashiach. At the end of the prayers, I expected everyone to run to the Tzion, to cry out to HaShem and beg for consolation. Instead, much to my astonishment, there was a tremendous outburst of joy. People started playing drums and guitars, and everyone spontaneously began singing and dancing! When I saw that, I realized that our generation needs joy; that joy is our generation's path in divine service.

There are many people all over the world I come into contact with when on the road playing music. Getting to know many people closely, they want to know what Uman is all about – they've thought of going but don't go because they feel lost. They don't speak the language, they are frightened about getting robbed, they have no clue how to begin. What we've done, we've picked out good houses and prepaid for them, no Russians allowed when were there. We've offered, to those people that like the idea of everything taken care of for them, all English speaking houses, home cooked meals, clean beds, (we bring the food and the chef from Israel, months of preparation), an best of all, we have shirurim in English all through the days we are together, each meal, with top Rabbonim that believe this project of expanding the Uman Experience is of the utmost importance.

People from the US, Australia, Vienna, the UK, and Canada were with us this year – all strangers, but brothers. It was a very powerful and safe experience for all of us – and never fails to be for me the highlight of the year, no matter how many times I am there. This will be the 3rd successful year 2009 and we'll be officially opening Uman Experience for English speakers @ www.UmanExperience.com to the world. It's a unique service with spiritual guides that are specifically Breslov Rabbi's.

People not from Israel, can now feel safe and taken care of traveling with us from any where in the world.

In Uman, people are always asking me, "Where's your guitar?" I answer, "Guitar? I came here to recharge my batteries!" Being in Uman is renewal. When things are difficult during the year, I know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel; that I'll be going to Uman!

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-08-12T20:50:48Z

B”H

Rabbi Lazer’s Mantra WORKED!

2009

“There we were, in an absolute quandary.

After weeks of phone calls, emails and aggravations, we arrived hopeful to Uman for 2 days to accomplish a HUGE amount of work - securing great lodgings for our Rosh Hashana group and a kitchen for our chef to cook in!

The first day of our search for suitable housing/dining facilities was wasted. We had seen many old Ukrainian houses for high prices but nothing was suitable for our group, which consists of westerners who need a decent atmosphere.

Before we left for Uman though, there was one Russian fellow we spoke to on the phone who guaranteed us, he had the most beautiful and most fought over estate in Uman, for us, it would be perfect, but we needed to come with a huge deposit, if not, the following day he could give it to someone else with a bigger deposit. We put out and SOS to the group and thanks to the immediate response we had the green backs, and with a Ukrainian contract in hand, we traveled to Uman.

However, once we arrived in Uman, this man didn’t answer his phone at all. So, I thought he wouldn’t come through for us. We called repeatedly all day long, with no answer!

At 8:00 p.m., with only a few hours left to be in Uman, I broke down because of worrying that we may have to return empty handed, or close on accommodations (again) that would be substandard.

Immediately, I went to meditate and cried to Hashem: “Master of the world, I came here to be a shaliach for a group of people who want to come closer to you and so they are all leaving their families to come here to Uman for Rosh Hashana to pray to come closer to You and that You should give them and their families a sweet good new year.

What is the real purpose of my present trip? To acquire lodgings for this special group of people. For what purpose?

Then it hit me, “Rabbi Lazer’s Mantra!”

It was last year, in Uman on Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Lazer told us all as a group that we should concentrate on the words “ViTimloch” ( from the Rosh Hashana prayer, where we ask that Hashem should bring the time when He will reveal Himself and RULE –ViTimloch- the entire world).

At that moment, I began to say “ViTimloch, ViTimloch, ViTimloch,” over and over with the thought that this whole Uman Experience is all about one thing: “ViTimloch” (You shall rule)!

My meditation was suddenly interrupted by a phone call. The voice on the other end said: “Come now! I have the best house in Uman for your group. Let’s close the deal now!”

This is house we will be staying in this Rosh Hashana…

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-08-12T20:48:00Z

B"H

Uman on Rosh Hashana

by Daniel Weil

Tishrei 5770

Being in Uman, Rebbe Nachman's burial place, on Rosh Hashana has many beautiful inspiring aspects. I mingled with Jews from all over the world, from every style and flavor of Judaism.The Breslever Chasidim from Meah Shearim and Bnei Brak were certainly expected. But there were thousands of secular Jews , traditional Jews, and also modern Orthodox Jews from Jerusalem, Toronto, The Five Towns, Long Island, Brooklyn New York, Los Angeles, Johannesburg, London, Paris, Brazil, and many more countries. At least half the people were Sefaradim. There were Chasidei Gur, Chabad and Gush Emunim and Shasnikim.

For a week prior to Rosh Hashana the Na- Nachim inspired lively dancing in the streets accompanied by blastingly loud new-age trance style Rav Nachman music till 2 a.m.

In Rav Nachman's Tziyun, a large building that can hold about 2000 worshippers, there was non-stop spontaneous dancing , singing, and cheering till 2 a.m. every night led by young men, some of whom looked like fans of Betar Yerushalayim.

Surrounding the dancers were hundreds of men praying intensely, saying Tehillim, talking their own words to G-d in Hitbodidut and learning Torah 24 hours daily. There were hundreds of children of all ages singing and davening.

In the nearby “Kloiz”, the main shul built to hold 10,000 worshippers, there were non-stop amazing shiurim in several languages, by Breslov's top speakers from all over the world daily till 2 a.m. The crowd was enthusiastic and spontaneously sang with great joy and fervor in between shiurim.

On erev Rosh Hashana at noon , all the 25,000 people in Uman went out to the streets to Recite the Tikun Clali, the 10 chapters of Tehillim selected by Rebbe Nachman for general Rectification. Then there was public Kabalat Ol Malchut Shamayim like at the end of Yom Kippur, amplified on loudspeakers.There are no words to describe how much it was inspiring and moving. Then there was tremendous dancing and singing in the streets.

The davening on Rosh Hashana was incredible with the main minyan having 8,000 people stuffed into a shul for 5,000. There were other large and small minyanim, even several impromptu minyanim in the middle of the main streets. Groups from all over the world set up their own minyanim.

Tashlich had 25,000 Jews dancing and singing around a lake near the Tziyun, with several photographers and TV reporters recording the remarkable event.

There was constant visible joy all week on all the Jewish faces as thousands walked back and forth on Uman's few main streets.

There were dozens of Ukranian taxis always lined up to take us to other Kivrei Tzadikim in the area, Breslov or Medzebodz.

There was a special supermarket from Israel for one week, and a little shuk with fruits, clothes, toys, Russian hats, shoes, Breslover books souvenirs and discs, etc...

Interspersed with the Jews were Ukranian soldiers and policemen at every street corner, and every 20 meters. Why? They claim to keep the peace and watch us carefully.

But why did all these Jews leave their homes to come to Uman?

For several reasons.

1. Rebbe Nachman wanted his followers to come to him every Rosh Hashana while he was alive and also after his death to his Tziyun. He said that his main work in life is to help Jews to improve in Avodat Hashem and to reveal G-dliness in the world. He provides tikunnim, elevating Am Yisrael's prayers and Jewish souls all year round , even after his death, but he said the main day he can make tikunnim is on Rosh Hashana.

2. Rebbe Nachman's ideas of serving Hashem with tremendous fervor and joy has been gaining favor with thousands of Jews all over the world. Many Jews have come close to G-d by learning the Rebbe's books and practicing his advice such as Hitbodidut, Mikva, Davening with fervor and living life with more Emuna and they feel they want to identify with the Rebbe Nachman and his students. This is the Breslover's kibbutz, annual gathering.As a Brelover Chassid they want to listen to the Rebbe's call to be with him on Rosh Hashana .

3. Rebbe Nachman explained that in order to merit a Tzaddik's help in serving G-d, a Jew must bind himself to the Tzaddik. Binding oneself to a Tzaddik is done by learning his writings, following his advice on how to live one's life , following his example, and also by coming to him on Rosh Hashana, or to his Tziyun after his passing away.

4. Rebbe Nachman promised that if anyone comes to his gravesite and says the Tikun Clali and gives Tzedaka there, he will make sure to work hard to bring his neshama to be in Olam Haba, even to pull him out of Gehinom by his peyot.

5. Many followers feel they owe a debt of gratitude to their Rebbe, who has helped them so much in living a more meaningful life.

6. Some people who are not actual followers of the Rebbe, just supporters, come to be part of a wonderful inspiring Jewish event on Rosh Hashana that gives them a spiritual injection that lasts for a long time, sometimes years!

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-08-12T20:11:58Z

B'H

What is Uman, why do thousands flock here each year?

New comers, well, Uman isn't on the top "10 Hot Spot" list for vacationing, nor is it centers for fashion, science, or great artists, but you know that already.

We travel to Uman for one reason, to recover from what life has thrown at us, to find an inner peace and strength, to connect to something greater than ourselves; to close our eyes and say, this is it, this is what I have been searching for; a scenario most people think not possible.

We realized, being old timers to Uman - many people would love to visit, but find the trip too scary for a load of reasons - this is where we decided to make it easy, accessible to anyone wanting to experience this kind of a trip.

Rebbe Nachman's force hits people in different ways, as he pulls us close to him, everyone goes through their own personal journey. Some of us connect to the unbelievable high energy that's palpable in the air and ride the wave; some of us open up to a brother or sister we have never met before and let go of a deep secret, some of us find a hidden tranquility and realize each new day is a new beginning giving us a second chance, and some, just can't stay away.

So let’s get straight to the point.

Life is closing in on us. Critical problems, world financial crisis, kids out of control, wars raging or pending, divorce as the new fad, unbelievable stress and “no time” as the in state of mind, teen drug and alcohol additions, so many questions of “what for, what’s it all mean, when will I be happy, when will I understand”, plague us.

Critical personal situations begging for resolution. Coming to Uman helps.

The whole idea of traveling to Uman and other far away places in the Ukraine seems strange to a new comer! What is it about Uman that yearly attracts thousands upon thousands of people from literally all over the globe from all walks of life? Why visit the grave site of a Tzaddik, why Rebbe Nachman in particular?

A Tzaddik is a saintly individual, who has an unparalleled mastery of the spiritual, which gives him the ability to bridge the physical and spiritual worlds, the answer is - the way we feel and the change we see, once we experience it…

The practice of visiting the graves of Tzadikim (shrines) is an ancient one. Far back we find that Jacob in the Bible explained to Joseph why he buried Rachel at the roadside instead of taking her to Hevron. “This way she will be of help to her children when Nevuzaradan takes them into exile. They will pass by her grave on their way to exile, cry out to God at this site, and Rachel will come forth to God and weep and entreat for mercy on their behalf” (Rashi, Genesis 48:7).

Rebbe Nachman made a promise that no other Tzaddik in the whole of Jewish history has ever made. Taking two of his closest followers as witnesses, he said: “When my days are ended and I leave this world, I will intercede for anyone who comes to my grave in Uman, recites the Ten Psalms of the General Remedy - the Tikkun HaKlali - and gives some charity on my behalf." (Rabbi Nachman’s Wisdom #141). Because of his promise, Rebbe Nachman is very much alive today; his words are addressed to all "seekers".

We at the Uman Experience encourage all seekers to join us; we will take care of you once you arrive. Check out our tours on the right hand column, get to a travel agent, book a ticket, and we'll be waiting for you.

Contact us – For all question and bookings - give us up to 24 hrs. to return emails.

Israel Tel. / Fax: + 972 2 9918 314, +972 52 470 4063

Uman Tel. + 380 939 44 8000

Email: UmanExperience@gmail.com

Official blog site: www.UmanExperience.com

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-07-31T21:01:34Z

We just had a beautiful Shabbos here in Bet Shemesh, Israel, with my family, children and grandchildren. Last week I spent several days in the hospital with my mother where she was being treated for an infection. Thank G-d, she's out.
The memory of being in the hospital day and night is still fresh in my mind. While there, I was thinking...."how I need to appreciate my day to day schedule, my everyday life and be thankful for every minute, especially to be thankful for every healthy minute of my life, my family's lives and your life!"
Don't take anything for granted. Every minute of life is a precious gift that we need to be grateful for. Thank you G-d ...for this very minute!

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-07-26T13:59:18Z

B'H

Hi everyone!

People have been calling and emailing about the new album, "Sweet Home Jerusalem", its out, its done, its for sale on our website - if your here its here!

If you're in Typepad Blog or Facebook, then go to www.menachemherman.com , its for sale on our site. Enjoy!

Yes, the other album, "Calming Waters" will be out end of this week - its a healing disk and all tunes were written by Rav Lazer Brody - Menachem and Jeff from Creative Audio did a brillant job pulling it all together and producing it, it will be for sale on Rav Lazer's site - "Lazer Beams" - Enjoy!

P.S. All parents home with kids on vacation, nothing like great music to soothe the inner beast of the child, (our inner beast too!).

Keep in touch about Concerts during the Sukkot holidays inIsrael - its around the corner and we have some nice music planned for YOU!

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-07-09T12:15:16Z

B'H

Hello, just want to share good news with you!

Our new site www.menachemherman.com just went live!

The site was designed by the UK Inspire team of Simon, Jeremy, James, Josh and Sam.

My wonderful wife Shira put in a lot of hard work into all the copy texts, video clips, pictures, testimonials, and everything else needed to make a web site happen.

Once she finished gathering and classifying all the items, she then sent them to London to the

Inspire team where they spun their artistic and cyber magic to bring this new site to you.

I'd appreciate it if you'd send me your comments and suggestions about the new site.

New clips are in the making and more music will soon be uploaded too for your musical pleasure.

Until the next blog...keep singing, and be happy.

Menachem

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Menachem מנחם
Fun, Elegant, Authentic

www.menachemherman.com

YouTube clips - search Menachem Herman
Israel office: 02 9918 314, 0524 704 063

"Inspire Productions" - Global Management & Event Production
bookings@youinspire.me.uk
International office: +44 20 8346 9143

www.youinspire.me.uk

Have you looked at the sky today…

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-06-30T15:05:07Z

B'H

There IS a "Secret", but not exactly like the movie says...

An ultimate weapon that any human being could access - not only to improve his lot, but to literally change it - is this - the Hebrew term "Hitbodidut", - in plain English translates as Personal Prayer.

If it were possible...and we only we allowed 2 words to describe WHO Rebbe Nachman is and what the whole Uman concept stands for > it would be Personal Prayer and stressing to be thankfull for what we have.

He insisted the way to gain clarity, the way to change ones situation, the way we can get unconditional help, even global change, even from the most terrifying situations, is through Personal Prayer. Without it, life is too "big" to go it alone.

In the quiet time during personal prayer we can start with gratitude; for things we see and don't see; once we start counting the thousands of heart beats we use a day, the thousands of breaths we take, and the way our water works work like a charm, among the million other functions our body does without us thinking about it, we have loads to be grateful for and that’s the start.

Try it - for 10 minutes. How?

It's not getting into a meditative state - it's not opening up a prayer book - it doesn't even count if you've prayed the 3 times a day the regular Jewish prayers.

It's finding a quiet secluded spot - if you live in Manhattan and a beach or forest is hard to find - try the roof or the car.

Once you're in a quiet spot, close the phone(s!), turn your eyes heavenward, if the ceiling in the way close your eyes and SEE the sky...and open your mouth.

What should you say?

Well, first a greeting works well - How about:

Hi Father, Hello Aba, Hey Dad, Dear God, How are you today My best Friend, Hello My Best Buddy...what ever works is fine!

Then, just let it all hang out...tell Him about your day, your fears, and your secrets that only you know...try it for 10 minutes.

You will be amazed at the results. You will feel so much better and things will start to change around you. Make this an unwavering priority in your life, everyday, you will see miracles.

Doing Personal Prayer does NOT have to be anyone's business or have to be an issue at all. It is "personal" prayer, so it means you can keep it personal. If a spouse, parent or room mate might give you a hard time - do it under the covers when no one sees! What they will see, is a happy, more settled person, and they will ask, "Hey, what are you doing different lately?"

Then you can spill the beans...!

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-06-29T16:42:19Z

B"H

YOUR STORIES WILL HELP OTHERS!

SEND US YOUR STORIES OR QUESTIONS AND WE WILL POST THEM UNDER THIS CATEGORY - ALLOWING OTHERS TO REPLY AND ANSWER TO YOUR POSTS OR QUESTIONS -

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-06-28T09:39:44Z

Researched and written by Avi Yudkowitz for Uman Experience

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov was the great-grandson of Rebbe Yisrael, the Baal Shem Tov – "Master of the Good Name", founder of the Chassidic movement.

Rebbe Nachman was born on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5532 - April 4, 1772, in the Ukrainian town of Medzeboz. He grew to be an outstanding Tzaddik (saint), Torah sage, teacher and Chassidic master. During his lifetime he attracted a devoted following of Chassidim who looked to him as their prime source of spiritual guidance in their quest for God, as the 'Rebbe.’

Rebbe Nachman was a Kabbalist and a mystic of the highest order, and yet at the same time was artlessly practical and down-to-earth. His tales are of princes and princesses, beggars and kings, demons and saints, with deep and beautiful meanings, relevant for all times and all generations. He taught of the need to live with faith, honesty and simplicity.

Rebbe Nachman’s father was Reb Simchah, the son of Reb Nachman Horodenker, who was a leading disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. His mother was Feiga, daughter of Adil, the daughter of the Baal Shem Tov. He had two brothers, Reb Yechiel and Reb Yisrael Met, and a sister Perel. His uncles, Feiga's brothers, were the prominent Chassidic figures, Reb Moshe Chaim Efraim, author of the "Degel Machaneh" Efraim, and Reb Baruch of Medzeboz.

Rebbe Nachman was born at a time when the Chassidic movement was beginning to ebb. A week after his birth, a cherem, "excommunication" was issued against the Chassidim - can't talk to them, can't do business with them, they can't be part of a community). About half a year later, the Magid of Mezritch, the Baal Shem Tov's successor, passed away.

Rebbe Nachman grew up in Medzeboz. While still a young child, Rebbe Nachman himself recognized that he was destined for greatness. At the age of six, he had already conquered the desires of the world! He took it upon himself to not get pleasure from eating and used to swallow his food without chewing in order not to enjoy it. All his deeds were done modestly and were purposely hidden. He disguised his greatness and pretended to act in the ways of a lad so that he wouldn't be discovered. If he would have been born in this generation – he would have been labeled "adhd" and put on Ritalin to conform! (Like so many great thinkers, men and woman that just didn't conform throughout history, but accomplished greatness). He had tremendous diligence in learning Torah and wasn't satisfied with the regular learning curriculum his father paid for. As a result, he chose to pay the teacher himself for each additional page he was taught.

Their home in Medzeboz was a central meeting point for Tzaddikim who would come visit the holy gravesite and living quarters of the Baal Shem Tov. Rebbe Nachman used to listen with his ear on the door to the conversations of the visiting Tzaddikim usually discussing the greatness of the Baal Shem Tov and of his Godly service. Rebbe Nachman used to listen intently and try and follow in the path of his holy grandfather, despite his young age. He often would run to his grandfather's grave even during the coldest nights of the winter and stay there hours on end crying and begging to merit being close to Hashem. He would then ritually dip in the waters of the Mikvah (a rain bath or natural source of water which spiritually cleanses the soul from impurity), despite the freezing temperatures. All this he already began doing at the age of six.

Rebbe Nachman cried regularly when requesting things from Hashem and once discovered he is a descendant of King David, walked with a broken heart and cried much just as King David did while composing Tehillim (the book of Psalms). Likewise, his uncle, Rabbi Baruch of Medzeboz, the great, also regularly walked around with a broken heart.

Rebbe Nachman was exceptionally diligent in his learning and as such acquired deep knowledge of the Talmud, commentaries, the holy Zohar (by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai), Tikkuney Zohar, the works of the Arizal (the Ari Hakadosh, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi), and all books which discussed character refinement. He said of himself that he studied Reishit Chochmah (a work by Rabbi Eliyahu de Vidas that combines mysticism with lessons in character refinement) a countless number of times. The amount of knowledge he acquired was comprehensive and frightening. He knew all of TaNaCh (Torah, Prophets & Writings) and all four sections of Shulchan Aruch (Code of Laws by Rabbi Yosef Karo). In his lessons, he would stress the importance of diligence and eagerness/quickness in learning and say that he merited knowledge only through diligence and quickness. He added that he had to work hard through self-sacrifice for every detail of Torah and Avodah (Godly service) that he obtained.

In Rebbe Nachman's eyes, to bring people closer to their Creator was the greatest of all attainments. He personally worked with the living, as well as departed souls, to bring them closer to God. In fact, this is one reason he chose to be buried in the old cemetery of Uman, the site where thousands upon thousands of massacred Jews also were buried.

Rebbe Nachman's most stressed theme was prayer. Until the day he died, everything he did revolved around his prayers. He requested that prayers be made of his lessons. He requested to pray to and beg before Hashem even for the small things one lacks. Even though one should mainly pray for assistance in serving his Creator, he still should pray for his small, insignificant needs. One who does not do this, even though Hashem provides him with livelihood and clothing, is living like an animal that is also provided for by Hashem. The correct way to live life is to receive from Hashem through prayers and pleading.

Before reaching Bar Mitzvah (age 13), he compiled the book 'Sefer HaMidot', arranged according to the Aleph Bet (Hebrew alphabet). In the introduction to the book, Reb Noson, his faithful and saintly student, writes: "A most amazing compilation which he put together in his youth, all of the wisdom which he obtained, to understand something from within something else. He combined from all holy books in which he found something relevant to the lessons and traditions and wrote them so that he would remember. Every good and bad Midah (trait) discussed by Chazal (the recordings of the wise men), he copied and placed in the order of the Aleph Bet...so that people could go on the right path and in the light of the righteous. In addition, he added from his own great wisdom many wonderful and precious idioms which are not written by Chazal and were not necessarily previously brought to light. Yet, due to his enormous attained knowledge he understood secrets... All this he put together before his Bar Mitzvah." Rebbe Nachman held this book dear to his heart and often said "this book made me a Jew". He meant that this book was the way that he refined and corrected his characteristics.

Rebbe Nachman married Sashia, the daughter of Reb Efraim of Ossatin, when he was thirteen (as was then the custom). On his wedding day he attracted his first disciple, Reb Shimon. Though older than Rebbe Nachman, Reb Shimon remarked proudly, "I left all the older guter Yidden (good Jews; a euphemism for Tzaddikim), and attached myself to a yunger man (young man)!"

The Rebbe had eight children, six daughters and two sons. Of these, only four daughters survived him. They were Adil, the eldest, then Sarah, Miriam and Chayah. Miriam moved to the Holy Land in 1809 where she passed away childless. Adil, Sarah and Chayah had children. The Rebbe had no children from his second wife, whom he married after Sashia's death from tuberculosis.

Rebbe Nachman moved to his father-in-law's town, Ossatin, and lived there for about five years. There he continued his studies and devotions until he attained unique levels of sanctity and holy spirit as well as being fully conversant with the entire array of Biblical, Talmudic, Halachic, Midrashic and Kabalistic literature. At the age of 18 Rebbe Nachman left his father-in-law's home to live in Medvedevka, where he spent the next ten years. It was there that his greatness first became revealed, and he rapidly gained an ardent following including some distinguished scholars and Kabbalists, some of whom were to become his closest followers: Reb Dov, Reb Shmuel Isaac, Reb Yudel, Reb Aharon the Rav and the octogenarian Rabbi Yekutiel, the Magid of Terhovitza, one of the senior leaders of the Chassidic movement.

From Medvedevka, Rebbe Nachman made his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1798 despite its being at the center of a major land and sea war between Britain and Turkey against the French. Rebbe Nachman's 14-month trip was fraught with every possible obstacle and he was repeatedly in mortal danger, but he accomplished his goal of walking in the Holy Land. He visited the holy sites in the north, but apparently not Jerusalem. There he was received with honor by the Chassidim living in Haifa, Tiberias, and Safed. In Tiberias, his influence brought about reconciliation between the Lithuanian and Volhynian Chassidim. Despite his capture by pirates on his homeward journey, Rebbe Nachman returned safely to Medvedevka in the summer of 1799.

Rav Noson, the Rebbe's main student and scribe of all his teachings

In 1800, shortly after Adil's wedding, Rebbe Nachman moved to Zlatipolia. There, the Rebbe encountered major difficulties from Reb Aryeh Leib, the "Shpola Zeide," who became Rebbe Nachman's embittered enemy. Two bitter years of relentless opposition led to Rebbe Nachman's moving to Breslov in the summer of 1802. On entering the town he said that his followers would always be known as the Breslover Chassidim, pointing out that the name BReSLoV has the same letters as LeV BaSaR, a “heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).

As much as the Rebbe's move was a necessary flight from controversy, it was also the watershed for Breslover Chassidut. Not far from the city of Breslov, in the town of Nemirov, there lived a certain young man who was to become Rebbe Nachman's closest disciple and Boswell. This was Reb Noson. Coming from a family of Mitnagdim (Jews opposed to Chassidism), Reb Noson was, nevertheless, very impressed by the devotions of the Chassidim and made many attempts to find his niche within the relatively young movement.

If Medvedevka and Zlatipolia were distant and inaccessible for Reb Noson, Breslov was right around the corner. Reb Noson, together with his friend Reb Naftali, immediately visited the Rebbe. They were so inspired by Rebbe Nachman's devotions and teachings that they promptly joined his following and before long became the Rebbe's most intimate disciples. Reb Noson became Rebbe Nachman's closest follower and transcribed almost all his teachings. After Rebbe Nachman left the world, Reb Noson established what has become the worldwide Breslov Chassidic movement. Rebbe Nachman said of Reb Noson: “Were it not for Reb Noson, not a single page of my teachings would have remained”.

In the eight years that followed this fateful encounter Rebbe Nachman radiated fresh Torah with his every word and gesture – a Torah in which the sublime spiritual heights he attained were interwoven with events in the lives of his family and followers against the wider backdrop of the Russian Pale of Settlement and the growing plight of its Jewish population. Rebbe Nachman's Torah discourses, conversations, stories and parables and accompanying episodes in his life were faithfully recorded by Reb Noson.

In early spring of 1803, Rebbe Nachman's daughter Sarah was married. In 1805, Miriam was married. (Chayah married after the Rebbe passed away.) During those years, except for some set times when the Rebbe visited Medvedevka, Tcherin and Terhovitza, Rebbe Nachman remained in Breslov.

Rebbe Nachman had great hopes for his baby son Shlomo Ephraim born in spring 1805, but a year later in summer 1806 the baby died and Rebbe Nachman mourned him deeply. His loss prompted Rebbe Nachman to venture on a new path which found expression in the stories he now began to tell, later printed as Sipurey Maasiot.

In the winter of 1807, Rebbe Nachman set out on a journey to Novoritch, Dubno, Brody and Zaslov. In Zaslov, where the Rebbe spent the Shavuot holiday (June), his wife passed away. Before Rosh Hashanah (September 1807), he married again, this time the daughter of Reb Yechezkel Trachtenburg from Brody. Shortly afterwards, he contracted tuberculosis, which finally took his life three years later.

In 1808, Rebbe Nachman made a journey to Lemberg (Lvov), where he sought treatment for his illness. During that year, while the Rebbe was in Lemberg, the first volume of his major teachings, the Likutey Moharan, was published. He had already begun telling his famous stories and had also revealed his Sefer HaMidot (The Aleph-Bet Book).

Revelation of the Tikun Ha Klalli

After his return from Lemberg, the Rebbe spent the next two years in Breslov. During this period he revealed the Tikkun HaKlali - General Remedy and many far-sighted teachings for the Chassidic group he had founded. The general remedy can override the spiritual harm caused by many sins, or one sin whose ramifications are many. Rebbe Nachman revealed that ten specific Psalms, recited in this order: Psalms 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, and 150, constitute a special remedy for the sin of wasting seed, which defiles the sign of the covenant, and, by extension, all the other mitzvot. Most Breslover Chassidim try to say the Tikkun HaKlali daily.

In April 1810, Rebbe Nachman called two of his closest disciples, Rabbi Aharon of Breslov and Rabbi Naftali of Nemirov, to act as witnesses for an unprecedented vow:

"If someone comes to my grave, gives a coin to charity, and says these ten Psalms [the Tikkun HaKlali], I will pull him out from the depths of Gehinnom!". "It makes no difference what he did until that day, but from that day on, he must take upon himself not to return to his foolish ways”. This vow spurred many followers to undertake the trip to Rebbe Nachman's grave, even during the Communist crackdown.

The tuberculosis continued to consume his body and Rebbe Nachman became very weak and frail. Realizing that his death was near, he began to make arrangements to move to Uman, the place he had chosen in which to pass away. The Rebbe had considered traveling to the Holy Land, but feared that he lacked the strength for so difficult a journey. He also wanted his followers to have access to his gravesite, something which might not prove possible were he to be buried in the Holy Land. Therefore, he chose the city of Uman, where there had been a huge massacre of some 20,000 Jews by Ivan Gunta and the Haidemacks in 1768. Rebbe Nachman said: "There are many Kedoshim (holy martyrs) buried in Uman and it would be good to lie there amongst them".

In spring 1810, shortly after Pesach, a major fire in Breslov destroyed the Rebbe's house. A day later, word arrived that negotiations for welcoming the Rebbe had been concluded and accommodations had been arranged. Hearing the news, the Rebbe's face turned red. He knew that he was being summoned to die.

Rebbe Nachman arrived in Uman on May 9, 1810. During his stay there, the Rebbe talked much about rectifying souls, those close to him as well as other souls. It was here that he issued his famous call: "Never despair!" and exhorted his followers to gather for Rosh Hashanah. Rebbe Nachman spent five months in Uman, during which he had lengthy discussions with three leading proponents of assimilation, who held him in the highest regard. Despite his illness he celebrated Rosh Hashanah of 5571 / 1810 with several hundred followers. During the first day of the festival his situation deteriorated seriously and he coughed up large quantities of blood. Nevertheless, despite his great weakness, he gave his customary teaching on the second evening, speaking for many hours. This was his last lesson.

Rebbe Nachman passed away eighteen days later on 18 Tishri 5571 / 16 October 1810, the fourth day of Sukkot and was buried the next day in the old cemetery of Uman amidst the martyrs of the 1768 massacre.

Annual pilgrimage

His grave has remained a shrine, visited by Breslover Chassidim and many others, from all over the world, ever since.

During the Rebbe's lifetime, thousands of Chassidim traveled to be with him for the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, and Shavuot, when he delivered his formal lessons. On the last Rosh Hashanah of his life, Rebbe Nachman stressed to his followers the importance of being with him for that holiday in particular. Therefore, after the Rebbe's death, Reb Noson instituted an annual pilgrimage to the Rebbe's gravesite on Rosh Hashanah.

This annual pilgrimage, called the Rosh Hashanah Kibbutz (gathering), drew thousands of Chassidim from all over Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania and even Poland until 1917, when the Bolshevik Revolution forced it to continue clandestinely. Only a dozen or so Chassidim risked making the annual pilgrimage during the Communist era, as the authorities regularly raided the gathering and often arrested and imprisoned worshippers. Beginning in the mid-1960s, Chassidim who lived outside Russia began to sneak into Uman to pray at Rebbe Nachman's grave during the year. After the fall of Communism in 1989, the gates were reopened entirely. Today, more than 25,000 people from all over the world participate in this annual pilgrimage.

No other Rebbe has or will take his place

When Rebbe Nachman passed away his followers saw no one to take his place. Instead of appointing a new Rebbe, they continued to turn to Rebbe Nachman’s teachings for inspiration and guidance, continuing to look to him as “The Rebbe.” The Breslover Chassidim have done so ever since, studying his writings and endeavoring to follow his teachings in their day-to-day lives. In this sense Rebbe Nachman is still the leader of the Breslover Chassidim.

Though Rebbe Nachman passed away nearly two hundred years ago, his flame burns brightly and continues to bring light and happiness to thousands upon thousands of people. Rebbe Nachman himself said: "My fire will burn until the Mashiach comes". May this be speedily and in our days, Amen.

Rebbe Nachman breathed new life into the Chassidic movement by combining the esoteric secrets of Judaism (the Kabbalah) with in-depth Torah scholarship. He attracted thousands of followers during his lifetime and his influence continues until today. Rebbe Nachman's religious philosophy revolved around closeness to God and speaking to God directly, without intermediaries. The concept of hitbodedut is central to his thinking.

Rebbe Nachman emphasized that each person should speak to their Father in Heaven in their mother-tongue and with simplicity. A person should request things from Hashem just as they would from their father. When he was very ill, he asked his grandson to pray for him. His grandson asked for his pocket watch. Rebbe Nachman laughed and gave him the pocket watch. The lad then yelled to the sky "Heal my grandfather!" Some Chassidism that witnessed the event laughed at the child’s simple ways, but Rebbe Nachman rebuked them and said that such is the way to request things from our Father in Heaven - with simplicity.

In his short life, Rebbe Nachman achieved much acclaim as a teacher and spiritual leader, and is considered a seminal figure in the history of Chassidism.

His contributions to Judaism include the following:

He rejected the idea of hereditary Chassidic dynasties, and taught that each Chassid must "search for the Tzaddik ('saintly/righteous person')" for himself — and within himself. He believed that every Jew has the potential to become a Tzaddik.

He emphasized that a Tzaddik should magnify the blessings on the community through his mitzvot. However, the Tzaddik cannot "absolve" a Chassid of his sins, and the Chassid should pray only to God, not to the Rebbe. The purpose of confiding in another human being is to unburden the soul as part of the process of repentance and healing, not to start a cult.

In his early life, he stressed the practice of fasting and self-castigation as the most effective means of repentance. In later years, however, he abandoned these severe ascetics because he felt they may lead to depression and sadness. He told his followers not to be "fanatics". Rather, they should choose one personal Mitzvah (commandment) to be very strict about, and do the others with the normal amount of care.

He encouraged his disciples to take every opportunity to increase holiness in themselves and their daily activities. For example, by marrying and living with one's spouse according to Torah law, one elevates sexual intimacy to an act bespeaking honor and respect to the God-given powers of procreation. This in turn safeguards the sign of the covenant, the brit milah ("covenant of circumcision") which is considered the symbol of the everlasting pact between God and the Jewish people.

He urged everyone to seek out his own and others' good points in order to approach life in a state of continual happiness. If one cannot find any "good points" in himself, let him search his deeds. If he finds that his deeds were driven by ulterior motives or improper thoughts, let him search for the positive aspects within them. And if he cannot find any good points, he should at least be happy that he is a Jew. This "good point" is God's doing, not his.

He placed great stress on living with faith, simplicity, and joy. He encouraged his followers to clap, sing and dance during or after their prayers, bringing them to a closer relationship with God.

He emphasized the importance of intellectual learning and Torah scholarship. "You can originate Torah novellas, but do not change anything in the laws of the Shulchan Aruch!" he said. He and his disciples were thoroughly familiar with all the classic texts of Judaism, including the Talmud and its commentaries, Midrash, and Shulchan Aruch.

He frequently recited extemporaneous prayers. He taught that his followers should spend an hour alone each day, talking aloud to God in his or her own words, as if "talking to a good friend." This is in addition to the prayers in the Siddur (prayer book). Breslover Chassidim still follow this practice today, which is known as Hitbodedut (literally, "to make oneself be in solitude" / meditation). Rebbe Nachman taught that the best place to do Hitbodedut was in a field or forest, among the natural works of God's creation.

He taught, "The purpose of knowledge is that we should not know (anything)" (Likutey Moharan II, 83.

Neither he nor his followers had the desire to speak about miracles. When he did perform one, he considered it almost an embarrassment, being thankful and relieved if the whole incident was quickly forgotten. To him, the real miracle was helping someone to become a simple God-fearing Jew and a true "servant of God." He considered this a rare and precious accomplishment, entrusting this mission to his followers.

All of his attainments were acquired through immense effort. He scoffed at those who chalked up his spiritual level to his ancestry. He believed in the ability of any Jew, no matter what he or she may have done, to rise to the level of Tzaddik. All that was needed was patience and the willingness to do the work. In spite of his vision and depth of understanding of those who came to him, he never pushed his opinions on them.

Rebbe Nachman's main lessons and discourses were collected and published as Likutey Moharan, by his foremost disciple, Reb Noson. Rebbe Nachman himself authored Sefer HaMidot, a collection of aphorisms on positive and negative personality traits, including spiritual guidance on how to be a good Jew. Sipurey Maasiot is the collection of his thirteen mystical stories. His lessons are universal and can be understood on the most basic as well as the highest mystical level. Reb Noson also compiled the primary biographical work on Rebbe Nachman, Chayey Moharan, as well as Sichot HaRan, a book of Rebbe Nachman's short teachings and sayings.

"Tzaddikim are greater after their passing than when they were alive" (Chullin 7b). The power and ability that the Tzaddikim possess to rectify souls is even greater after they leave this world. Shortly before his passing, Rebbe Nachman expressed his desire that people travel to his gravesite for Rosh Hashanah, about which he said, "There is nothing greater." Rosh Hashanah is considered to be the "head" of the year. Since decrees pertaining to the entire year are issued on Rosh Hashanah, it is the best time to mitigate or "sweeten" any harsh decree.

During Rosh Hashanah, it is possible to spiritually ascend into the very "head" of Creation, to a level that encompasses the source of all individual judgments. Since every individual decree ultimately emanates from this all-inclusive place, a Tzaddik who is able to rise up and enter into this level has the power to "sweeten" all decrees without having to work through each one individually. There are people who, because of the depths to which they have fallen, are unable to be helped during the rest of the year. However, Rebbe Nachman stated that on Rosh Hashanah he could help even them. During this time he was able to achieve and rectify certain things that he was not able to do the rest of the year.

He said to his followers, "My Rosh HaShanah is a great innovation, and God knows that I did not inherit it from my fathers. God Himself gave me the gift of knowing what Rosh Hashanah is. Not only do all of you depend upon my Rosh Hashanah (the entire world depends upon my Rosh HaShanah" (Chayey Moharan 405).

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-06-28T06:13:17Z

Just a quick note - we're in studio 18hrs a day working to finish the album "Calming Waters" -

Its a master piece i think, gotten wonderful reviews on the few tracks we've sent out for a critique - have had a challenge with this album, it has to be calm, and calm we aimed for...

It will be out soon - doing the last of the mixing now - will let you all know as soon as it is -

Love, Menachem

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-05-31T10:09:39Z

B'H

Welcome to the Uman Experience of 5771 - 2010 our 4th year running!

The old timers to the Uman Experience know how this company has grown from a loving idea of a couple people to an unstoppable force.

New comers, well, Uman isn't on the top "10 Hot Spot" list for vacationing, nor is it a center for fashion, science, or great artists.

Rebbe Nachman's force hits people in different ways - as he pulls us close to him, everyone goes through their own personal journey. Some of us connect to the unbelievable high energy that's palpable in the air and ride the wave; some of us open up to a brother we have never met before and let go of a deep secret, some of us find a hidden tranquility we've never known before and realize each new day is a new beginning and we all have a second chance, and some us, just can't stay away.

Once our mind is made up to go to Uman, reality does kick in. It's a third world area, full of cheats, mafia and danger. The issues become real of where to stay, where to eat and what to do next. That's were we come in.

As part of the Uman Experience family we can honestly tell you, we work hard all year round planning, traveling back and forth preparing for your visit. On top of that, we have our own in-house caterer, creating his culinary delights to keep us fed; all your needs are taken care of for you the minute you arrive. Best of all, and of course this sets us apart from being just a 5 star place to crash and rest our weary bones, we have our loving Rav and mentor as part of the Uman Experience family, Rav Lazer Brody. He is with us for guidance, amazing lectures and some good fun. This is our uniqueness, spirituality and physical needs rolled into a complementary package, our guests feel at home; we are a non political, nonjudgmental group, only interested in you as a person.

Whats the one thing men struggle with when leaving wives and children behind for Rosh Hashana?

It's leaving them behind...!

Well, start planning your family's trip, because we will welcome your whole family as we will be open all year round after this year's Rosh Hashana!

After this years Rosh Hashana trip, we will be open as a permanat Guest house to families, couples, groups, large or small, all those seeking a home atmosphere with guided tours, cooked meals, a home away from home that is safe, unique and beautiful!

(Updates for trips year round will come out on a monthly bases, B"H or on request, VIP trips available as well.)

Our Uman Experience Estate is comprised of:

A beautiful gated environment; although a minute walk to the Tzion, we are located on a quiet side street with a 24hr. guard.

Our estate is built as private suites; each suite has 3 bedrooms. Bedrooms are outfitted with large comfy mattress and closet room for each person; bedrooms are airy, each with his own bathroom. Each suite has a kitchen and balcony, (suite kitchens will be open for tea and coffee only during Rosh Hashana, not for cooking).

Our main floor is the place to mingle, relax and meet like minded people; we will eat together, laugh together and get strengthened together in our large comfortable dining room, with extra bathrooms for your convenience.

Our estate houses our own private mikva and will not be open to anyone not with our group.

One of our staff will be at the gate to greet you, and send you in the direction of your room, help you locate the synagogues if it's you're first time, and be available for any questions.

Price - $ U.S (for all the days)

Official accommodation Price - $747. / person (travelling without a group)

Uman Experience Family group price - $675. / person (We will fit everyone into a group!)

Small child sleeping with parent, eating children meals - $90.

VIP room (1 person), $4050.

Flights - we do not deal with flights - but we will guide you to airport pick up & return from Uman.

Price includes:

* Entrance any time from from Monday Sept. 6th - Tues. Sept. 14

(for guests staying longer, please discuss)

* A bed with linen, 1 pillow, 1 quilt

* Light meal served erev (before) Yom Tov, Wed. Sept. 8

(guests arriving Monday or Tuesday, there is local food to purchase).

* Home cooked meals with our in-house chef, brought all the way from Israel cooking up a storm for you with his culinary delights, for the 2 days of Chag - Wed. night through Friday

* Additional full home cooked Shabbat meals

* Malavah Malka meal @ the end of Shabbat, Saturday night, Sept. 11 (before the fast in the morning)

* Suite Kitchens will be open 24 hours for coffee, teas and snacks

* Kiddush items, Havdalah items

* Brand new private on premises mikvah

* We will be joined by Rav Lazer Brody - who will inspire us during meal times, explaining what it means to be with Rebbe Nachman on Rosh Hashana and much more.

The dining room will be closed to outside people.

Blessings in all your journeys!

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-04-21T15:01:03Z

Student Rock & Soul!

In just 10 days, Menachem Herman will be doing an Emuna-rock concert in London, an experience you won't forget. Menachem is not only Jewish music's leading performer, souling us with his electric guitar, he's one of the best in the world who has played with the world's best musicians. Don't waste time, because tickets are going fast. Something a little different for this Lag B'Omer!

Grab your ticket online here .

Menachem Herman posted an entry

2010-04-21T07:39:58Z

You could say i learned this from getting a good many bumps and bruises over the years, it's like learning how to drive - would you put your 6 year old behind the wheel and say, "OKIE DOKIE KIDO, OFF YOU GO!"

No sir, you wouldn't.

What you will do, is guide him, love him, give him a few scoldings along the way, and keep an eye on him, no matter how big he gets.

If he gets outs line, you'll talk to him, explain to him whats the right thing to do - if he really gets outa line and won't hear you, you'll ground him, take away the car keys, demote him from CEO to floor manager and finally, send an earthquake, tsunami, and explode a volcano...

Life is one big test - we are all chess pieces on the big board of life - we all choose where we move, lets not be fooled into thinking we've moved right, but really, we're not hearing, and have moved left.

Music for me has been the way i share, love and fight back - listen to my personal rendition of moving right,

Join me!

Sweet Home Jerusalem

Blessings,

Menachem

Menachem Herman is now following The TypePad Team

2010-04-20T18:25:00Z