Judaism

My journey into the realm of the customs and ceremonies of Charedi strictly religious) and traditionally ) observant Jews in Israel started on Lag B'Omer, 2004 in Meron, during the annual mass Hilulah (festive commemoration) at the burial site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Along with hundreds of thousands of celebrants, I arrived to the site with my camera. I was curious to observe this gathering from up close and to experience one of the largest and most spectacular religious .ceremonies taking place in Israel I was captivated. Over the next four years, I traveled around the country to the various outposts and locations where Jews perform their mitzvot commandments), ceremonies and ) prayers. Some of the ceremonies .and customs are not well-known Many secular Jews have never even seen, experienced or are totally unaware that these ceremonies exist, as they take place in the courtyards of the Admorim (Chief Spiritual Leaders), at kivrei tzaddikim tombs of saintly persons), yeshivot ) religious academies) and batei midrash (houses of study), in religious neighborhoods and in .closed and private enclaves