Today is Lag B'Omer. Israel Limits Bonfires and Celebrations but Chasidim Find a Way

Today is Lag B'Omer, the the 33rd day of the period of counting days between Passover and Shavuot. In Israel it's traditionally a big day of celebration, with large bonfires throughout the country, and especially on Mount Meron in the north. 

It's the burial site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, known as Rashbi. Hundreds of thousands of Charedi Jews make a pilgrimage each year to sing and dance on the mountain.

This year the Israeli government decided to close roads leading to Meron, to prevent large crowds amid exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah in the Galilee and Southern Lebanon.

The checkpoint is one of 11 roadblocks set up around Meron in an effort involving hundreds of police officers to enforce the ban following concerns that some pilgrims would defy it.

The events at Meron are limited this Lag B'Omer to three ceremonial bonfire lighting ceremonies attended by no more than 30 people at any given time. But celebrants are finding ways to observe the day in other locations around Israel.

Last night tens of thousands gathered in Beit Shemesh, a Jerusalem suburb, to celebrate.

Enjoy, and Happy Lag B'Omer!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Quick on the Draw: Hasidic Rabbi Designs Special Garment for Easy Access to Concealed Firearm

A New Jersey Hasidic rabbi, Raziel Cohen, who wears the traditional long black coat called a kapota, has come up with a version that makes it easy to conceal and quickly pull out a gun. 

 As Doree Lewak wrote in the New York Post,

After he got married about two years ago and graduated to wearing a kapota, “I realized right away it was a problem,” said Cohen, 24, of the cumbersome garment, which is traditionally fashioned with buttons and a belt known as a gartel.

The issue: He couldn’t easily pull out the Glock 19 or Glock 17 he always wears during synagogue.

“When you draw a gun, you have to do it safely, quickly and efficiently — ensuring that it’s not a risk to the person drawing the gun or to those around him,” said Cohen, an NRA-certified firearms instructor.

So he designed a “Tactical Kapota” with quick-access snaps hidden under a decoy version of the buttons traditionally required for the jacket.

“People who think anyone who carries a firearm is a vigilante, that we’re looking for confrontation,” said Cohen, noting that drawing an actual firearm should be the last resort after exhausting every other layer of protection. “It’s not true. People are getting killed in synagogues and houses of worship — the places where we never want to be the most vulnerable, but are the most vulnerable. I don’t want to have a firearm in synagogue, but that’s a perfect world we don’t live in. It’s sad.”

In this video, Rabbi Cohen demonstrates his quick on the draw technique.

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Comedy Special: Secretary of Simcha Yoely Gives Update on Vaccine Distribution

Former presidential candidate Yoely, played by comedian Modi Rosenfeld, recently appointed Secretary of Simcha, has released an update on the state of vaccine distribution. 

Always speaking in character, Yoely addresses two questions on everybody's mind: What should we do about new coronavirus strains arising from England, South Africa, and wherever, and how can we get our hands (or arms) on a vaccine? 

Yoely reassures us that different strains aren't any different from different strains of Chasidim -- one comes from Monsey, one from Monroe, one from Boro Park, one comes from Williamsburg, but it's just a chasid at the end of the day.

When it comes to vaccine distribution, he says it's hefker -- like there's nobody in charge, so we need a Chassidishe organization to take over.

Maybe he should run for president again the next time around.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Comedian Modi's Yoeli Character, After Losing His Presidential Bid, is Secretary of Simcha

Remember Yoely, the Hasidic character played by comedian Modi who announced his Haimish Party candidacy for U. S. President last June? Well, Yoely has come to grips with his election defeat and is now happily installed as Secretary of Simcha. 

In his new role, Yoely comments on the insurrection in Washington. Because he never heard the word before, he asks his assistant Duvi to Google it and finds that if an insurrection lasts more than four hours you should call your doctor.

As always, Yoely's bottom line is "Zai gezunt and zai b'simcha."

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO. 

 

Comedy Showcase: Yoely (Modi Rosenfeld) Reviews Netflix Series "The Crown"

We've been following the career and shtick of comedian Modi Rosenfeld ever since we started Jewish Humor Central in 2009. Whether it's his standup comedy or clever skits and short films, he always leaves us laughing.

Like many performers right now, the stay-at-home order has forced Modi to remain home in New York City for longer than he has in the last 20 years. Without a face-to-face audience, Modi has turned to social media to fuel his creativity and engage with his followers.

Modi’s breakout quarantine success came from a new character he created called “Yoely.” In this character, Modi appealed to his niche Jewish following with a comedic take on a Chasidic man reacting to mainstream trends while in quarantine.

In this episode, Yoely has watched The Crown, the Netflix biographical series about the life of Queen Elizabeth, and offers a review in character as a Brooklyn chasid, describing the main events in the life of the British royal family, as seen through a Yiddish chasidishe lens.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Chanukah Comedy: Special Nigunim for a December Night of Learning

In some Orthodox circles it's customary to have study sessions late into the night the last week of December. But how can you study without resorting to a few nigunim (Chasidic melodies) to brighten up the evening?

Here's one take on how to add joy to a night of Talmud study. Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Chasidim Know How to Have Fun in Beit Shemesh

The tish (table) of Rabbi Elimelech Biderman in Beit Shemesh, Israel, was the scene of dancing and singing last June, when one of the chasidim jumped onto the table.

The chasid started wearing a shtreimel, but quickly removed it, revealing a black kippah. He then picked up a traditional brimmed black hat and proceeded to dance, balancing the brim on his nose.

Next, he danced with a bottle on his head and, with only partial success, attempted to fill the almost empty bottle with more liquid from a second bottle. 

Who says chasidim don't know how to have fun?

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Bingo Grocery in Boro Park Now Selling Shtreimels for $499

Are you heading to the supermarket with your shopping list? Let's see what's on it....oranges, apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, shtreimels??????

What? Shtreimels in a supermarket? If you're shopping in the Bingo wholesale kosher grocery in Boro Park, Brooklyn, you'll find Bingo's latest sale item -- Fur shtreimels for the bargain price of $499 each.

It kind of makes sense. Shtreimels, the fur hats worn by many married haredi Jewish men, particularly (although not exclusively) members of Hasidic groups, on Shabbat and Jewish holidays and other festive occasions, can cost $1000 to $5000. So why shouldn't you be able to toss a $499 model into your shopping cart along with gefilte fish and challah?

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.  

Behind the Scenes with Perl and Her Female Orthodox Rock Band

Five years ago we reported on the formation of an all-female Chasidic Indie Rock group called Bulletproof Stockings.

Well, the band disbanded last year, but Perl Wolfe, the founder of Bulletproof Stockings, has formed a new band called Perl, and she's singing again to women's groups in Brooklyn.

Not everyone in the Hasidic world has jumped on the bandwagon, but the idea of women performing rock music has caught the attention of many who live in the sheltered world of Crown Heights, Boro Park, and other Brooklyn communities.

In this video report, Perl describes the enthusiasm that her group is bringing to women who come out for their rock concerts.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.