Interesting.
As a psychology buff I view this as a classic example of what is called in Hebrew פסיכולוגיית ההמונים - The psychology of the masses. People tend to "follow the herd". I am sure that Rebbe Nachman would agree that learning meseches Rosh Hashana every free second on Rosh Hashana is ALSO very important, but believe you me, 100,000 people are not going to be doing so. In addition, most talmidei chachomim would tell you that it is better to be in Israel than in the Ukraine, on Rosh Hashana and always. Why does the directive of Rebbe Nachman [in all of his holiness, zchuso yagein aleinu] trump that of the Chofetz Chaim, the Chiddushei HaRim, the Noda Bi-yehuda, the Rambam etc. etc. Why not take the few hundred dollars that the ticket costs and instead feed a poor family in Bnei Brak?? The Torah clearly states that one must give tzedaka while the commandment to go to Uman has not yet been located....
The answer is that the reason that 100,000 people are gong to Uman is NOT because Rebbe Nachman said and they are suddenly Breslover Chasidim. I would presume that people are still going to doctors when they become ill even though Rebbe Nachman was strongly opposed, even in a case of serious illness [although interestingly enough he says that if one is already going to doctors he should choose the best]:
מי שרוצה לחוש על חייו ועל חיי זרעו ובני ביתו - שיתרחק עצמו מאד בתכלית הריחוק מלעסוק חס ושלום ברפואות ודוקטורים.... מגנה מאד מאד ענין הרפואות ודאקטורים והזהיר מאד מאד... ואפילו מי שיש לו חולה בתוך ביתו ואפילו אם החולאת חזק ח"ו ר"ל, אף על פי כן ישליך על ה' יהבו וישען באלוקיו לבד ואל יעסוק ברפואות ודוקטורים כלל".
People are not fully Breslov, that is the fact. So what is everybody doing in Uman?
Answer [for a large percentage]: It is the "thing to do".
But wait! Many people derive tremendous inspiration from being amongst tens of thousands of fellow Jews. Others connect to a holy tzadik in ways they would not be able to if they would stay home. It is a truly memorable Rosh Hashana experience that leaves a lasting impression. There are numerous great reasons to go.
So BY GOLLY! Where should one be on Rosh Hashana?
The gemara explains that we are judged on Rosh Hashana communally like a herd of sheep and at the same time we are all judged as individuals. I think that this means that we are judged on both levels. Both as individuals who have a completely unique, sui generis, one time in history, personality, life circumstances etc. etc. Hashem examines whether we are fulfilling our special purpose on earth, divorced from any consideration of what anybody else is doing.
We are also judged as a member of society. Were we engaged in the positive aspects of the general culture or the negative. If we always have to get the latest style in eye-glass frames or haircuts or go to Miami for Pesach because that is what all of our friends are doing even though it might not be the best environment for the children, then we have one type of judgement. But if we "follow the crowd" to the grave of a tzadik because we are looking for some inspiration in our humdrum, run-of-the-mill existence then we are judged positively.
In conclusion: Be an individual. Don't do anything just because "everybody is doing it". On the other hand, if people are doing something, find out what it has to offer for you and if you will benefit and can incorporate it as part of your avodas Hashem, then go for it. לעולם יהא אדם דעתו מעורבת עם הבריות - A person must be part of society, a "[wo]man of the people". But he may never abdicate his throne. In Hebrew the word for "think over" is נמלך from the word מלך. A true מלך is one who can think for himself and doesn't follow the masses "just because".
The greatest way to be ממליך Hashem is to be a מלך ourselves. You can't compare the honor give to a king who is crowned by the common man to the honor of a king who is crowned by other kings. If we become kings and think for ourselves then Hashem glory is magnified many times over.
I won't be in Uman this Rosh Hashana but I am trying to organize my family a stay in Yerushalayim. I hope I make it and hear the shofar we have been awaiting for 2000 years.
וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִתָּקַע בְּשׁוֹפָר גָּדוֹל וּבָאוּ הָאֹבְדִים בְּאֶרֶץ אַשּׁוּר וְהַנִּדָּחִים בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַיהוָה בְּהַר הַקֹּדֶש בירושלים ...
