Thursday, September 25, 2008

Breslov - Ownership of R'Nachman's grave resolved

JPost reported:

Euro-Asian Jewish Congress President Alexander Machkevich said Wednesday he has resolved a prickly land dispute over the reputed grave site of the founder of Breslov Hassidism in the Ukraine, and has recovered the area for the benefit of the local Breslov community.

The controversy over the land where Rabbi Nachman Breslover (1772-1810), also known as Nachman from Uman, is thought to be buried began six years ago after the local Jewish community decided to build a new synagogue at the site, and employed a Ukrainian contractor to do the job.

After the Jewish community defaulted on payment, the Ukrainian Supreme Court ruled that the contractor, who is also a member of the country's parliament, became the lawful owner of the property, Machkevich said.

Years of negotiations failed to resolve the issue.[...]

After six months of negotiations, Machkevich, a self-made billionaire, closed a deal with the Ukrainian contractor last week after paying him more than half a million dollars.[...]

1 comment :

  1. Even Israeli President Peres gets into the Breslov act, concluding his UN speech by quoting Rav Nachman.

    As reported by Yeshiva World http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/23977/President+Shimon+Peres+Mentions+Rav+Nachman+of+Breslav+in+United+Nations+Speech.html

    "President Shimon Peres Mentions Rav Nachman of Breslav in United Nations Speech

    September 24, 2008

    Earlier today, Israeli President Shimon Peres addressed the United Nations General Assembly General Debate. At the end of the speech Mr. Peres stopped, proudly placed a Yarmulka on his head and delivered a short Tefillah composed by Rav Nachman of Breslov - first in English and then in Hebrew.

    [Additionally, Mr Peres had some tough words for the Iranian President. See the video links located at the bottom.]

    Following is the full text of the speech delivered by Mr. Peres:

    Mr. President,
    Deputy Secretary-General,
    Your Excellencies,
    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Over Sixty years have passed since the United Nations General Assembly voted on the historic resolution that would have put an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

    Resolution 181 called for the establishment of a Jewish state and an Arab state. Its title was: “Plan of Partition with Economic Union”. It envisioned two states for two peoples, each fulfilling a distinct national aspiration.

    The Jewish people adopted the resolution and established the State of Israel. The Arabs rejected it and led to war.
    What happened in the ensuing years is much different from what the resolution’s original intent had been. While much has changed, the ironies of history summon similar circumstances today.

    Today, again, we are the middle of the lake. There is no sense in rowing back. Continuing forward will show how near we are to achieve the initial goal.

    Mr. President,

    A year prior to the Israeli declaration of statehood, its first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, called me, a young man from a Kibbutz, to serve in our national defense.

    Since then, I participated in Israel’s dynamic realities: the building of security, the striving for peace. So, I need no books to learn the history. I witnessed its miraculous unfolding.

    We went through seven wars. All have paid heavily. Tears still flow down the faces of bereaved mothers.

    Remembrance Days fill the air with silent prayers of widowed families who lost young boys and girls in battle. They are, today, at the same age, but lifeless.

    Israel turned military victories into peace processes, knowing that the cost of life renders imperfect peace which is superior to perfect victories.

    We have also achieved two peace agreements. The first with the largest Arab country, Egypt. The second with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

    ...

    Mr. President,

    The Jewish people are celebrating a new year. I would like to end with a quote from Rabbi Nachman of Breslav:

    “May it be thy will to remove war and bloodshed from the world and perpetuate the wonders and greatness of peace.

    All the inhabitants of the world shall recognize and know the truth: that we have not been placed on this earth to wage war and not for hatred or bloodshed. ”

    “יהי רצון מלפניך ה’ אלו-הינו וה’ אבותינו, שתבטל מלחמות ושפיכות דמים מן העולם, ותמשיך שלום גדול ונפלא בעולם.
    רק יכירו וידעו כל יושבי תבל את האמת לאמיתה אשר לא באנו לזה העולם בשביל ריב ומחלוקת ולא בשביל שנאה ושפיכות דמים. ”

    Amen. Shana Tova.
    Thank you, Mr. President"

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