Sunday, 25 May, the month of Iyar. Outside Almaty, near a lake, the Jewish community celebrated Lag Ba’Omer. This day is very important for Jews in Israel and in communities around the world.

  The ancient tradition tells us that the wise Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai passed away on Lag Ba’Omer. The manuscript reads: "On the day of his death the world was filled with the brightest light and with greatest happiness, as on this day he opened to his students the secrets of the book Zohar." Shimon bar Yohai extended the day so he could reveal his secrets to his students, and only after doing so he let the sun set. After that he passed away, and his soul rose to Heaven.

  Lent usually accompanies the day of passing away of the righteous, however Lag Ba’Omer is a celebratory occasion. This was the wish of Shimon bar Yohai, and which is followed since the ancient times.

  Shimon bar Yohai set his instructions in the holy book Zohar. Few can fully grasp the wisdom of the book. Using a mystical language, Zohar describes the birth of the world, the destiny of the souls, the secrets of the letters and the future of the human kind.

  The ancient books brought the explanation of the sense of celebration of Lag Ba’Om er: the students of Rabbi Akiva have started to die on Pesach (the Jewish holiday of Passover, a holiday of the Outcome of Jews from Egypt) and died down to approach of holiday Shavuot (the "Time of the Giving of Our Torah"), i.e. up to Lag Ba’Omer. And during this day not one student of Rabbi Akiva died. Therefore this is the day of great happiness. Everything is according to precept.

  The celebration of Lag Ba’Omer has been conducted for the third time in a row by the community youth on the shore of a beautiful lake 19 kilometres away from Almaty. The beautiful weather, sunlight and the light wind created an excellent atmosphere for games and competitions. The teenagers first took part in trivia themed around Lag Ba’Omer and answered questions, such as why Lag Ba’Omer is always held on the 33rd day from Omer and who was Shimon bar Yohai. For correct answers the participants received useful prises. Then the teenagers were split into two teams and competed in rope skipping and ball games.Everyone was actively involved: Masha Arepeva, Zhenia Chugaynova, Natasha Tresviatskaya, Nastia Ezhova, Nastia Chapova, Ksenia Archakova, Oksana Mingaleva, Nastia Trohimchuk, Artem Rzhevskiy, Yura Tsatsin, Nikita Polishuk, Yura Stepanov, Katia Arepeva, Olia Sudakova and Natasha Kogan.

  The older youth also demonstrated their abilities in several sporting events. The winners received a bottle of excellent kosher wine. Blankets were spread over the grass, and food was served. A huge mountain of shashlyk was prepared by Natalia and Vladimir Trohimchuk and succeeded in feeding 65 people. The food was prepared over four fires by Sasha Eremin, Yuri Chugaynov and Roman Kozeretskiy.

  After food a traditional bonfire, the symbol of the celebration, was lighted. The children gathered wood and set up the fire with great enthusiasm. After the fire was lit, many jumped over the it. The celebration was attended even by hedgehogs, who are usually such shy animals.

  The celebration was a great success. Everyone left happy and relaxed after an occasion in the open air. We offer great thanks to Inessa Chugaynova, Victoria Vlasova, Ruslan Archakov and all others who helped in organisation of the celebration, preparation of food and all other aid.

Anna Naumova