On the night of Lag BaOmer, as thousands of Jews yearn to connect to the light of the holy Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and light bonfires in his honor — Or HaChassidus ignited a different kind of fire: a fire of the soul.
Marking 18 years since the launch of its public Chassidus distribution project, Or HaChassidus set up 18 special booths near major bonfire sites in Boro Park, Williamsburg, Monsey, and Lakewood — continuing its mission to spread the light of Chassidus and make it accessible to the wider public.
“This is inner light, the light of the soul — the light of the Torah of Rabbi Shimon, which is the Torah of Sod, the inner dimension of the Torah, the Torah of Chassidus,” explains Rabbi Avraham Mann, Director of the Or HaChassidus Institute. “Each year we witness the tremendous thirst among the public — especially on Lag BaOmer — to illuminate their homes and hearts with the teachings of Chassidus.”
The distribution continued into Lag BaOmer day. Despite the rain in certain places — such as Kiryas Yoel — crowds kept coming to the booths. Among the special items distributed was a booklet titled “Otzros Rashbi” (Treasures of Rashbi) — a collection from the teachings of the Rebbe, of righteous memory, revealing the deep greatness of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai as illuminated through the lens of Chassidus.
“I stood for hours at the booth in Boro Park,” shared one of the volunteers. “People came from all backgrounds — Chassidim, yeshivah bochurim, families with children — and carefully selected seforim to bring home and learn from. Even in Lakewood, there was a notable interest in the project, with dozens of foundational Chassidic sets distributed.
In light of the remarkable response and spiritual awakening, Or HaChassidus decided to extend the initiative into the days leading up to Shavuos, allowing more people the opportunity to acquire Chassidic works as a meaningful and internal preparation for Shavuos.
Kibbush!
So important!!!