Breslev Customs for Lag B’Omer
Read about the customs in Breslever communities of Yerushalayim, Williamsburg, Monsey, and Borough Park...
Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz writes lavishly about the simcha (happiness) and hitorerut (illumination) experienced by those who celebrated Lag B’Omer in Meron, particularly the Breslever Chassidim who participated in the “hillula de-RASHBI (anniversary of his passing).” He writes: “What can be said, what can be communicated? One should yearn, long, and exert himself all of his days with mesirut nefesh (devotion) to experience and share in this. In the inner part of the tomb, people weep and do teshuva, and their hearts are deeply aroused; even on Yom Kippur, no one ever heard of such a place of teshuva as this! On the outside [in the courtyard and surrounding areas], rejoicing, gladness, singing, music, and dancing prevail; even at the weddings of kings, no one ever beheld or heard of such ecstasy! Ashreinu mah tov chelkeinu (happy are we and how good is our portion), that we were privileged to witness all this!” (Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, Yemei Shmuel, vol. I, chap. 56. For more extensive Breslev teachings and historical material on Lag B’Omer, see Mo’adei Yisrael: Lag B’Omer, Bnei Brak: Agudat Mayanot ha-Netzach 2003)
* * *
On the Shabbat before Lag B’Omer in the Breslever communities of Yerushalayim, Williamsburg, Monsey, and Borough Park, it is customary to sing “Bar Yochai” etc., before “Ki-gavna” on Friday night. This is a widespread custom today. (Heard from Rabbi Nachman Burshteyn and Rabbi Meir Wasilski)
* * *
In the Tzefat community they sing “Bar Yochai” and “Amar Rabbi Akiva” on every Friday night before “Ki-gavna.”
One can see the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai through the windows of the Breslev synagogue in Tzefat. (Heard from Rabbi Binyamin Rosenberg)
* * *
This is also the custom in Meron. (Heard from Rabbi Avraham Shimon Burshteyn)
* * *
Tachanun is omitted on both Erev Lag B’Omer and Lag B’Omer, as stated in Shulchan Aruch. However, it is not our custom to omit Tachanun for the entire week of “hod,” as in some Chassidic communities. (See Orach Chaim 493:2, with Mishnah Berurah)
* * *
In Likutei Halakhot, Rebbe Nosson mentions the minhag (custom) to give a child his first haircut on Lag B’Omer.
(See Likutei Halakhot, Rosh Chodesh 3:11, 9:13; Pesach 7:24; Dam 1:12; Simanei Behemah ve-Chayah Tehorah 4:6; Hekhsher Keilim 4:4; Nezikin 3:3)
* * *
In addition to participating in the traditional festivities, many Breslever Chassidim recite Rebbe Nosson’s prayer in honor of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, Likutei Tefillot II, 47.
* * *
It is also common practice to learn the Rebbe’s lesson “Lekhu Chazu” at the beginning of Likutei Moharan, which discusses Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and the Zohar. This lesson is usually delivered by one of the speakers at the Lag B’Omer seudah in the various Breslev communities.
* * *
The Rebbe states that shooting arrows on Lag B’Omer is a segula for having children. (Sefer ha-Middot, “Banim” I, 63)
* * *
Members of the Tzefat community visit the grave of Rabbi Shimon in Meron on Lag B’Omer, together with the many thousands of Jews who come from far and wide in honor of the tzaddik and in order to pray for divine mercy at this auspicious time.
* * *
Reb Avraham Sternhartz used to spend either the Shabbat before or after Lag B’Omer in Meron. (Heard from Rabbi Avraham Shimon Burshteyn)
5/03/2018
Rabbi Sears
It's a pleasure to see Rabbi Sears words on the site.
5/03/2018
It's a pleasure to see Rabbi Sears words on the site.