The Supreme Court has rejected a petition submitted today by residents of the northern town of Meron, asking that the government reconsider its decision to outlaw the renting of vacation apartments to people on Lag B'Omer and the surrounding days. Many Meron residents make a living by renting out vacation apartments to visitors to the town, where the holy sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai is buried.
This year, the government has cancelled all public transportation to the Meron region from today through Wednesday, so that only those who live in the Meron region are able to access it in the days around Lag B'Omer, the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shimon.
In the Court's response, Judge David Mintz noted that the government had made provision for the traditional bonfire lighting at the site - this year, just three bonfires are permitted, with 50 people allowed to be present.