Lag BaOmer Reaches Baltimore!

Lag Ba’omer, the thirty third day of the Omer is a time when some seemingly mundane activities take on deep mystical significance. In past generations children would go out to the field with bows and arrows, sing songs, and publicly celebrate their heritage. In more recent years the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged that there should be parades with floats and music to encourage Jewish pride. This he said to do with as many people as possible and wherever possible to bring the message of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai to every corner of the world. Especially since this year is a Shnas Hakhel, a year of gathering when in the time of the Temple, Jews from around the world would gather together to rejoice and hear the King read from the Torah.

The latest place to take up this clarion call is the Baltimore Jewish community. Tomchei Temimim, the Lubavitch Yeshiva of Baltimore, in conjunction with Chabad of Park Heights headed by Rabbi Elchonon Lisbon, arranged an incredible Lag Ba’omer event. Many hours of preparation and a lot of thoughtful planning went into creating what will be remembered for many years to come. The event itself took place at Rambam, a local Jewish school who have partnered with Chabad in the past for Simchos Beis Hashoevah and many other large Jewish events. Also there was the new Cheder Chabad of Baltimore who paraded down the street holding banners from their school and proudly sporting vests with mitzvah ingel (boy) or maidel (girl) written on them. Children from other schools in the area participated as well along with many community members in a real show of Jewish unity.

At 1:00 on a beautiful sunny Tuesday afternoon the festivities began. Special Lag Ba’omer music wafted through the air as the seats began to fill up. A cadre of clowns circulated in and out of the crowd doing flips and cartwheels to get everyone into the spirit. The traditional song Ani Maamin was played on the flute by Hatomim Sholom Elharrar with the accompaniment of Hatomim Mendel Chazan on the keyboard. There were two floats, a gigantic set of Tefillin and some very big Shabbos candles. Refreshments were handed out as Rabbi Lisbon and Rabbi Yakov Wagner of Rambam told stories and explained the importance of the day. The twelve Pesukim, which are verses from the written and oral torah, were then recited by students from Cheder Chabad and Rambam, some as young as three years old, with the crowd repeating them responsively. Then many danced together with the clowns to the beat of the very lively music. Raffle tickets were given out throughout the day. As everybody made their way back to their seats, a grand raffle was conducted for a beautiful set of Chumashim, a 20 speed bike, and an ipod shuffle.

Altogether there were over 500 men, woman and children. It was really an incredible experience and one which will set a very high precedent for future years. Rabbi Akiva’s famous quote is “love your fellow as yourself, the all inclusive rule of the Torah,” Surely Rabbi Akiva, and his student Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, were very proud of the achdus (unity) and great happiness that was felt by all who were a part of this wonderful event.

A big thank you to the organizers of this beautiful event, Rabbi Lisbon and the Tmimim, Ephraim Yarmak and Levi Ehrentrei who worked tirelessly to make it the success it was.