Rabbi Binyomin Edery, director of Chabad Tokyo Japan, thought of a special and creative way to celebrate the great day of Lag Baomer (the 33rd of the Omer), the day of passing of the Holy sage, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.
A shabbaton of 3 consecutive days of happiness, unity and inspiration, in the Japanese Alps, located in Nagano, Japan. In this fantastic atmosphere a large group of people got together in a mountain lodge hotel. All of the participants, helped get organized for Shabbat, in the kitchen, and the children singing lag baomer songs and pesukim in the main hall. Shabbat was a very special experience filled with words of Torah and song and great happiness in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Rabbi Edery also spoke about the importance of the day of Lag Baomer. He also emphasized the necessity to keep the 7 laws of Noah for all non-Jews, which will prepare the world for the coming of Moshiach.
Throughout the Shabbat there were minyanim, and a great feeling among all the participants. On Sunday morning after a big breakfast together, everyone got organized to go on a trip together, to a park in the forest, where they had a large river for fishing.
After lunch, everyone went boating. The kids had a fantastic time together too.
At the end of the day, everyone was so appreciative for this wonderful experience together at this Shabbaton. It inspired and instilled holiness in the hearts of all the people, young and old. All the participants asked for more of such great happenings.
Rabbi Edery is working on another Shabbaton in the near future, with G-d’s help, hopefully, in Jerusalem in the 3rd Temple.