Rabbi banned from entering Ukraine hopes to reach Uman "by miracle"
Rabbi Berland heads to Uman for the third time despite being banned from entering Ukraine. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Rabbi Eliezer Berland has left Israel in an attempt to reach the grave of Rabbi Nachman in Ukraine and celebrate the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah with his followers there. According to the publication Maariv, citing sources close to Berland, the rabbi is on the Ukrainian border authorities' blacklist, but his followers believe that the rabbi is a miracle worker and that a miracle could still happen.
In 2022 and 2023, Ukrainian authorities denied him entry into the country. Journalist Shimon Briman, an expert on Israeli-Ukrainian relations, reported that Ukrainian authorities explained their refusal to Berland, saying that during one of his lessons, he had called for the killing of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
It was also reported that during previous attempts to reach Uman, the rabbi tried to perform a "miracle" by hiding in the trunk of a car belonging to his trusted followers, hoping to secretly enter Ukraine. However, he was discovered at the border checkpoint, and the miracle did not happen.
Rabbi Eliezer Berland, head of the "Shuvu Banim" community in Israel, was found guilty of sexual offenses and was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2016. He began serving his sentence in 2020 and was released after ten months.
As the UOJ reported, DESS promises to provide all necessary conditions for Hasidic pilgrims in Uman.
Read also
Archbishop of Albania supports country's accession to European Union
The Primate of the Albanian Church believes that Albania's accession to the European Union will benefit not only the country and its citizens but also Europe itself.
Cyprus Church Synod permits weddings during Nativity Fast
The Sacrament of Marriage is permitted to be performed from the beginning of the Nativity Fast until December 12.
Cherkasy authorities set up surveillance over Orthodox educational institution
The village of Cherniavka became the site of a special operation by law enforcement against an Orthodox gymnasium, where a hidden surveillance camera was installed on a pole.
Metropolitan Tychikos case to be again considered by Cyprus Church Synod
Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus stated that the appeal filed by Metropolitan Tychikos to the Supreme Court could fundamentally change the assessment of the situation.
His Beatitude: The Lord gives people strength to overcome sin
The Primate emphasized that in the New Testament, Christians receive the gracious power of the Holy Spirit to fight against sin.
Met. Varsonofiy сelebrates Liturgy at persecuted UOC parish in Stryzhavka
A UOC hierarch officiated the Nativity service and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.