The stakes are increasing at Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's gravesite in Meron: The Tourism Ministry is increasing its fiscal participation there, but local authorities are threatening not to hold the large annual event at all.
Between 400,000 and 450,000 celebrants are expected in Meron this Sabbath and Sunday to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the author of the Zohar, the Kabbalah's seminal work. Rabbi Shimon, one of the most widely quoted Mishnaic sages, died some 1,850 years ago, and is buried in the Galilee town of Meron, just west of Tzfat.
Tourism Minister Yitzchak Aharonovitch (Yisrael Beiteinu) has approved an addition of 500,000 shekels for the annual event, in order that it be "respectable, comfortable and safe." So say Tourism Ministry sources. The total budget supplied by the Holy Sites Department for the event will therefore be 2.8 million shekels (just under $700,000).
However, it is not even certain that the event will be held at all. The head of the local Merom HaGalil Regional Council, Shlomo Levi, has ordered the Bar Yochai complex closed until further notice. This, in light of police claims that the Holy Sites Association has not provided the necessary permits and approvals guaranteeing the safety of the site.
Frantic negotiations are already underway to enable the joyous event, replete with bonfires, singing, traditional first haircuts for toddlers, and prayers, to be held as planned.
Minister Aharonovitch has called upon the expected visitors to arrive as early as Thursday or Friday - even though Lag BaOmer does not begin until Saturday night - in order to reduce traffic pressures and aid the security forces.
"I have decided to increase the budget for the event this year," Aharonovitch said, "in order to deal with problems that turned up last year... I hope the event will be successful and I bless the visitors that their prayers shall be accepted."