Hassidim illegally enter Nablus to pray [Joseph's Tomb Not Forgotten]

Jerusalem Post ^ | Aug. 27, 2006 | Matthew Wagner

[Alouette]

Two Breslav Hassidim and a settler, braving Palestinian terrorists, broke through an IDF barricade in Nablus Wednesday night and entered Josef's Tomb to pray.

The three were arrested by the IDF as they left the tomb and were transferred to police for investigation.

A special military directive forbids entering the tomb, which is in Area A, a territory under the complete control of the Palestinian Authority.

An IDF officer in the OC Central Command said that large numbers of Breslav Hassidim and settlers who attempted to enter the tomb forced him to direct forces away from anti-terrorist activities inside Nablus.

"Nablus is known to be full of terrorists," said an officer in the OC Central Command. "Our soldiers are trained to fight terrorist attacks originating from Nablus. This time soldiers had to demonstrate special alertness and watch for Israelis going in to the area.

"I stress that we have intelligence information that terrorists in Nablus are interested in killing or kidnapping those who wish to visit the tomb. We're doing everything in our power to protect them."

The phenomenon of Breslav Hassidim risking their lives to enter Yosef's Tomb is not new.

In the film "Like a Dream that Fades," director Yochai Rosenberg followed a group of Breslav Hassidim into Nablus. The Hassidim told stories of miraculous escapes from Palestinian terrorists who shot at them on their way in and out of the tomb.

"Hassidim and settlers around the Nablus area who sneak into the tomb to pray are drawn by the spiritual powers of Josef," said Rosenberg.

"For them it is spiritual oxygen."

The incident coincided with Rosh Chodesh [the first day] of Elul. According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Chodesh Elul marks the beginning of a prolonged repentance process that reaches its climax 40 days later on Yom Kippur.

Breslav Hassidim and others believe the prayers of a Jew made at the gravesite of a righteous person have special spiritual force and are more likely to be answered by God.

[Alouette]

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel/Russian Jewry ping list.

Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.

[goldstategop]

The Israeli army cannot stop Jews from risking their lives to pray at Joseph's Tomb. Those who lead it may have forgotten their Jewish roots in the Land Of Israel but those Jews who fear The Only One have only redoubled their resolve to draw still closer to it and the holy places of the Jewish people. I hope they continue their pilgrimmages to Joseph's Tomb.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[JimRed]

Breslav Hassidim and others believe the prayers of a Jew made at the gravesite of a righteous person have special spiritual force and are more likely to be answered by God.

I was taught that God always answers prayer, but sometimes the answer is not the one you want. Thy will be done.

[JimRed]

Is that the same Joseph who was the Earthly father of Christ?

[kingu]

A special military directive forbids entering the tomb, which is in Area A, a territory under the complete control of the Palestinian Authority.

It's completely under PA control except for IDF control. Baghdad Bob get a new job while I wasn't looking?

[goldstategop]

Jews believe in the importance of visiting the graves not just of the holy tzadikkim but of immediate family. There is nothing on earth quite like the privilege of drawing spiritual strength from prayers to God on behalf of one's ancestors and asking them to intercede with the Almighty on behalf of the living, that He may deal kindly with them and see after them in this life.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[Alouette]

Is that the same Joseph who was the Earthly father of Christ?

This is Joseph, the son of Jacob, who was sold by his brothers to Egypt.

[Thombo2]

Sounds rather dangerous to me.I'm all for religous freedom,but what happens if the Hassidim are taken hostage by the Pali's?Is the IDF responsible for getting them back?

[goldstategop]

Yes, the Biblical Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob and Rachel, who was buried in a coffin in Egypt and during the Exodus - was taken out and brought back to be buried in the Land Of Israel.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[Ueriah]

God with with them.

[Ciexyz]

My sympathies to the Hassidim who are denied the right to pray at Joseph's Tomb.

[mench]

Well put. There is an additional reason, namely, to sort of "remind" God to answer our prayers because of the goodness and kindness of the people buried there.

[goldstategop]

Jews have always been willing to endure martyrdom for the sake of sanctifying the Ineffable Name. And true Jews are not prepared to let considerations of convenience or security get in the way of fulfilling a mitzvah. The Israeli army brass has lost its connection to Judaism. The Bretzlover Hassidim, God bless them, continue to affirm the importance of paying continued respects to God and to one of the Patriarchs of Israel.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[tessalu]

The same Joseph who wore the coat of many colors.

[Zionist Conspirator]

"Nablus"' real name is Shekhem, btw.

G-d bless these brave Chassidim and all those who brave the aliens in order to pray at the tomb of Yosef HaTzaddiq. May G-d deliver each and every one of them. I vividly remember when the "palis" destroyed it not one word of protest came from the international lovers of mankind and their b*ddhist statues.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Is that the same Joseph who was the Earthly father of Christ?

Joseph the son of Jacob/Israel, from the Book of Genesis.

[Zionist Conspirator]

The same Joseph who wore the coat of many colors.

Well, a qetonet passim, whatever that means.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Jews believe in the importance of visiting the graves not just of the holy tzadikkim but of immediate family. There is nothing on earth quite like the privilege of drawing spiritual strength from prayers to God on behalf of one's ancestors and asking them to intercede with the Almighty on behalf of the living, that He may deal kindly with them and see after them in this life.

When I visited Israel eight years ago I visited the Tomb of David HaMelekh and Me`arat HaMakhpelah in Chevron. Since Adam and Eve (the first "rednecks," since no one else wants to claim them now) are buried there as well, I asked for the general whereabouts of their graves and then recited Parashat Berei'shit there on behalf of all us poor uneducated morons who still believe that silly stuff.

I would have liked to have visited Joseph's tomb but it was too far away, and Rachel's tomb in Beit-Lechem was already under the PLO's control, so I didn't go there either.

[sheik yerbouty]

Nablus is the name given to Shechem by the Arab invaders. No Jew needs permission to worship there..