Reb Volf Greenglass’ Lag B’Omer Custom

The surprising custom of the famed Mashpia of Montreal, Rabbi Menachem Zev Greenglass every Lag B’Omer.

A story is told about the famed Mashpia of Montreal, Rabbi Menachem Zev Greenglass, OB”M.

One day, he was standing in the hallway as the Rebbe picked up a stack of letters from the Mazkirus office on his way to his room.

As the Rebbe walked, he began reading through the letters. Suddenly, he paused at one, read it, and without a word, tore it into several pieces and discarded it.

Reb Volf, sensing something meaningful had just taken place, immediately went over, retrieved the torn pieces, and carefully reconstructed the letter.

What he found was striking.

The letter was filled with complaints. It criticized the yeshiva bochurim for spending time preparing props, posters, and displays for the Lag BaOmer parade. It argued that these efforts were causing bittul Torah, a waste of precious learning time.

The Rebbe had not responded with a written reply. He had not debated or explained.

He tore it up.

Reb Volf understood.

From that moment on, he carried a clear message. The preparation for Lag BaOmer, the outreach to children, the public expression of Yiddishkeit, these were not distractions. They were part of the mission.

And he acted on it.

From then forward, each year, Reb Volf would personally involve himself in helping the bochurim of the Montreal yeshiva prepare for the Lag BaOmer parade. He did not stand on the sidelines. He participated, encouraged, and uplifted.

⸻

A Rainy Motzei Shabbos

In the year 5743, Lag BaOmer fell on a Sunday.

On Motzei Shabbos, the bochurim were busy preparing for the parade indoors, while outside, rain poured steadily.

Reb Volf walked in to join them, ready to lend a hand. He began working on a placard bearing the words:
שמור את השבת לקדשו

One of the bochurim, looking worried, turned to him and said,
“It’s raining. What are we going to do?”

Reb Volf did not answer.

Instead, he calmly said,
“Give me the markers and the placard.”

He continued working, focused and undisturbed.

By the time he finished, the rain had stopped.

And it did not rain again until after the parade was over.

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