Pilgrimage beyond borders: The Breslov Hasidim who crossed into Lebanon

At least 20 Breslov Hasidim crossed into Lebanon overnight to pray at the tomb of Rav Ashi, one of the great sages and editors of the Talmud.

The incident occurred near the site of the tomb, which has increasingly become a pilgrimage destination for members of the Breslov Hasidic community. However, such visits sometimes escalate into security incidents, much like those at Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus.

Breslov Hasidim have a long-standing tradition of visiting the gravesites of revered Jewish sages, often traveling to remote locations despite potential risks. In this case, the group entered Lebanon during an ongoing ceasefire and was subsequently returned to Israel, with some members being detained for questioning.

A Tomb Divided by Borders

The tomb of Rav Ashi, located on Mount Sanin, straddles the border between Israel and Lebanon. Before the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, the entire tomb complex was within Israeli-controlled territory. However, as part of the border demarcation proposed by UN envoy Terje Larsen, the boundary was redrawn, leaving part of the site in Lebanese territory. Today, even the Israeli-controlled portion of the site is considered a restricted military zone.

Despite the risks, the Breslov community remains steadfast in its devotion to visiting sacred sites. "We won’t abandon Joseph the Righteous," one member of the group, Nachman, told Israeli outlet, Ynet. "We refuse to visit only once a month with military escort. We want to come in a dignified manner."

Past Security Clashes and Fatal Incidents

This is not the first time Breslov Hasidim have defied security protocols to visit Jewish tombs in contested areas. In December, an uncoordinated visit to Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus resulted in gunfire, leaving three worshippers injured. The most tragic incident occurred in April 2011, when a group of Hasidim visiting the site without coordination was attacked, leading to the death of Ben Yosef Livnat, a Breslov adherent.

Beyond Joseph’s Tomb, the Hasidim also visit other historical sites, including the tomb of Joshua bin Nun in the Palestinian village of Kifl Haris, near Ariel, as well as the tomb of Caleb ben Yefuneh in the same village.

Pilgrimage Beyond Israel

In recent years, the Breslov movement has expanded its pilgrimages beyond the Middle East, with organized trips to the graves of Jewish sages in Morocco. However, such journeys have also proved dangerous. Just two months ago, several Hasidim died in a car accident while en route to the tomb of Rabbi Makhlouf ben Yosef in Tiznit, Morocco.

Although visiting sacred sites is a deeply ingrained aspect of Breslov spirituality, certain destinations remain inaccessible due to political realities. Hasidim acknowledge that Jewish tombs exist in Egypt, other Arab countries, and even Iran, but these remain beyond reach for the time being.

The theological foundation for these visits is rooted in Breslov teachings, which hold that praying at the tomb of a righteous person can bring spiritual merit.

Rabbi Nathan of Breslov, a prominent disciple of Rabbi Nachman, wrote in his work Likutey Halakhot: “The righteous are greater in their death than in their lifetime. They rectify Jewish souls even more after their passing, subduing evil forces that cling to fallen souls due to their sins.”

Despite the risks, it appears that Breslov Hasidim remain unwavering in their commitment to these pilgrimages, even when it means crossing borders and challenging security restrictions.