If you are lucky enough to be heading up North to Meron for Lag Baomer, there are a few things you need to know. The first and most important thing is that Meron on Lag Baomer is boss. It’s utterly fantabulous, (fantastic + fabulous), amazy (amazing + crazy). It’s also spirifun (spiritual + fun) which is hard to imagine but it’s really true.

In order to capitalize on your experience and make sure you get to leave making up your own words because none of the regular ones will suffice, I thought of a few things that you should know before you go. These are not in any particular order. Just some suggestions and tips I’ve gathered from lots of people have been and came back saying “I wish I would have known.”

One of the first things you need to be aware of is that you may not have cell service on the mountain. In fact you probably won’t. The sections for men and women are very separate so if you are coming with a spouse, a boy/girlfriend or whatever, designate times and places to meet. Even if you are coming with same sex friends, it’s a really good idea to have a plan because there are about half a million people who come to Meron and you may get separated. At the top of the mountain, there is very little food. You can walk down to the bottom, where there will be food available, but you may want to have along a power bar or something to give you a little energy, because all that dancing can be tiring. Along with the eating, you also want to keep in mind the drinking. Now, you are definitely going to need a drink, especially if you are dancing a lot, the bathrooms may not be what you are used to. I spoke to someone who rented an apartment a ten minute walk away, just because he couldn’t deal with the bathroom situation on Meron. But if you’re not too fussy, and not drinking tons of coffee, you should be ok.

There is a lot of different kinds of energy at Meron. They way it’s often described is “Yom kippur inside, Simchas Torah outside.” when you get close to the kever, people are praying and crying. As you move out of the immediate kever area, people are dancing and singing and the atmosphere becomes one of celebration, rather than reflection. Throughout the night, the different chassidic groups all get their moment on the stage. The Rebbe comes and and does his thing and lights a bonfire, and of course, there is lots of singing and dancing. Everywhere. Groups get mushed together and the lines that are so clearly drawn during the rest of the year become blurry and insignificant.

If you are looking for the best time to pray quietly, things calm down a little starting at 5 am. Between 5 and 7, the nighttime revelers have crashed and the morning minyanim haven’t gotten started yet. It’s not empty by any stretch of the imagination, but you’ll be able to get a little closer to the kever without pushing and shoving.

One of the best sights to see on Meron, is all the little boys getting their hair cut. At 12 in the afternoon the next day, all the families with little boys gather around. Everyone is cutting, hair is flying, and little babies are transformed into little boys. If you are coming with a 3 year old for this purpose, bring your own barber tools - a shaver and scissors and and some candy. You may be able to borrow, but best to have your own stuff. After the haircut they give out pekalach to the kids and then, what else? Start dancing again.