Lag B'Omer, the legendary yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, is like a Hasidic woodstock in the mountains of the Galilee. Bonfires, ecstatic dancing, heartbreaking prayers, food and drinks, Zohars for sale, endless music, and, above all, crowds.
This photo essay contains some of Andy Alpern's photographs, as well as links to panoramas you can view if you have Quicktime on your computer (just move the mouse around the picture to pan) and AVIs from Shir Yaakov. It doesn't capture all the energy of Meron on Lag B'Omer, but it might give a taste of a taste of it.
Most of Andy's pictures are from the daytime, but I arrived at
night, after a bus ride delayed by rigorous security inspections. We were greeted by
a massive video projection of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and the immediate frenetic energy
of so much enthusiasm and movement. Within a few minutes, Shir Yaakov and I were drumming
with Breslovers, and I was ready to go in. Shir's video (click at left to view) captures
the refrain of "Bar Yohai," the hymn chanted incessantly throughout the celebrations, as
well as the undulating davening/dancing which swept us up.
(Note: the video files are very large, but they're worth it.)
Jews, Goddesses
and the Zohar
Jill Hammer
Hasidism and Homoeroticism
Jay Michaelson
Lag B'Omer:
Sound & Image
Andy Alpern and
Shir Yaakov Feinstein-Feit
Couple
Ari Belenkiy
One Ring Zero
Paul Fischer
Josh's Jury Duty
Josh Ring
Archive
Our 480 Back Pages
Saddies
David Stromberg
Zeek in Print
Spring/Summer 2004 issue now on sale!
About Zeek
Mailing List
Contact Us
Subscribe
Tech Support
Links