Dozens of Trucks of Desecrated Earth from Old Uman Cemetery Brought to Kevurah

In a deeply moving and emotional maamad, dozens of trucks filled with desecrated earth and atzamos from the old beis hachaim in Uman were finally brought to kevurah with the proper kavod. The earth had been tragically excavated from the ancient cemetery located near the tziyon of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov ZY"A.

For hundreds of years, the old beis hachaim has been the resting place of gedolei olam and kedoshim. In recent years, however, the sacred grounds have faced severe threats of desecration. Following massive hishtadlus by the askanim of the Vaad L’Hatzalas Beis Hachaim Uman—under the guidance of elder Breslover Rabbanim Shlit"a and spearheaded by Rabbi Moshe David Niederman Shlit"a—the site was officially granted protected cultural status, legally halting any further excavation.

Despite these legal protections, perpetrators illegally dug up parts of the cemetery in the dead of night, resulting in a tragic chillul of the makom kadosh. Askanim immediately stepped in to gather the atzamos and the displaced earth. However, they faced a grueling battle through a maze of local laws, bureaucratic red tape, and official permits. After months of relentless effort and overcoming numerous obstacles, they finally secured the necessary approvals to proceed.

The kevurah was conducted under the strict guidance of the late leader of Asra Kadisha, Hagaon Hatzadik Rav Dovid Michoel Schmidel ZT"L, who had issued hora'os for this specific situation during his lifetime. When it became clear that it was impossible to return the earth to its original location, Rav Schmidel instructed the askanim to purchase and sanctify a new plot of land on the outskirts of Uman to serve as a new beis hachaim. The entire process was closely supervised by mashgichim from Asra Kadisha.

The complex operation cost tens of thousands of dollars, covering the heavy machinery, the purchase of the new property, and the extensive legal and bureaucratic fees required to complete the project.

During the tearful maamad hakevurah, those present asked mechilah from the shochnei afar and recited special tefillos and tachnunim. They davened that the immense zechus of upholding kavod hameis should serve as a protection for the dedicated askanim and for all of Klal Yisroel.