Chabad and the Drums

Chabad - House in Ben Yehudah No. 5

B"H

It was relatively quiet between Pessach and Lag Ba' Omer (33. Day of the Omer) but now they are all back: The Chabad Messianics (Meshichistim) from Ben Yehudah No. 5. Even their drums were in action.

The mourning period for the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva is finished on Lag Ba' Omer and we are allowed to listen to music again. Only a few days ago, a friend of mine, a Chabadnik, told me that they would dance at Zion Square on Lag Ba' Omer. Waving their yellow Meshiach flags and listening to the "Yechi Adoneinu…." - music.

The Chabad - Meshichistim are those who believe that the last Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson (died in June 1994) is the Meshiach. They are only one part of Chabad and not everyone is like them.

However, the Chabad branch in the Jerusalem shopping mall Ben Yehudah No. 5 is one of the Meshichistim. No doubt about that, as there are plenty of yellow Meshiach flags hanging out of the window and their members walk around with the black Kipa (Yarmulke) with its white "Yechi Adoneinu…" - printing.

On Erev Lag Ba' Omer (Thursday), the Chabadnikim from Ben Yehudah had a stand at the huge event of the local soccer club "Beitar Yerushalaim". The controversial owner of the club, the Russian - Israeli Billionaire, Arcadi Gaydamak, had invited all the fans and they only had to pay for their wodka. Chabad had decided to bring some spirituality into the pop concert by laying Tefilin etc. A great idea, by the way.

So, there was no dancing at Zion Square on Erev Lag Ba'Omer but last Friday afternoon they caught up. A private yellow bus had shipped in some children and women and then everyone was ready for the march through the mall. The kids were playing the drums and you can be sure about one thing: Chabad got all the attention and they know how to organize. They are the great experts in public relations.

The Chabadnikim were waving their flags and walked through Ben Yehudah and some side streets until Zion Square. Of course, they didn't forget to scream "Yechi Adoneinu…." on the way.

The march ended peacefully and Shabbat could start.