 Religious Services Minister Yitzchak Vaknin calls Meron police operation 'excessive'Minister Vaknin tells Arutz Sheva of grief and pain due to diminished Rashbi hilula celebration, criticizing police handling of incident. Watch: Police block roads to MeronPolice begin extensive enforcement operation to prevent banned gathering at Rashbi tomb in Meron during pandemic. MDA forces deployed in Meron for Lag B'OmerMagen David Adom teams will arrive with two buses, ambulances, intensive care vehicles, command vehicles and other emergency vehicles. MK Eichler to Gafni: Those who do not value Meron should not preach moralityUTJ MK criticizes fellow party member for calling for MKs not to visit Meron on Lag B'Omer this year. Religious Zionism completes bonfire preparationsThis year due to pandemic there will be limited number of bonfires with only 50 participants; Lighting to be broadcast live on Arutz Sheva. Fines, checkpoints and arrests on road to Meron2,000 police officers deployed to prevent mass Lag B'Omer gathering at Meron amid coronavirus concerns. Only 3 bonfires to be allowed. Meron residents ask government to permit Lag Ba'omer rentalsResidents of northern town where Lag Ba'omer celebrations are traditionally held ask government to cancel COVID-19 restrictions on rentals. MDA preparing for this year's limited Lag BaOmer events at MeronAmid coronavirus pandemic, medical teams preparing for scaled-down festivities at Meron in northern Israel. Can't Make It To Meron This Year? Send Alei Siach your namesEvery year thousands come from all over the world to Meron. This year however is different. Alei Siach will pray on your behalfStrict Lag B'Omer restrictionsBy Health Ministry and NSC recommendation, bonfires across country, except for three major centers, is banned. Prayer for Coronavirus victims at Rashbi's TombPrayer held at tomb of Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron. Watch: Lag Ba'omer celebrations in MeronTens of thousands arrive at burial place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for Lag Ba'omer torch-lighting and celebration. Meron: Ancient synagogue vandalizedVandals spray-paint red warnings on wall of 2,000-year-old synagogue near tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu got it right on sexual abuseIt would have been a travesty of Jewish ethics had convicted predator "Rabbi" Eliezer Berland been able to make a grand entrance to the Meron Lag Ba'Omer festivities. Rabbi Eliyahu says to 'keep away from Berland like fire'Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu explains why he banned convicted sexual offender Rabbi Eliezer Berland from attending Lag Baomer celebration in Meron. Watch: Lag Ba'omer celebrations continue in MeronHundreds of thousands celebrate at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, as Lag Ba'omer festivities continue this morning. Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu warns Rabbi BerlandTzfat Chief Rabbi says lighting of bonfire on Mt. Meron by rabbi convicted of sexual assault an "abomination."Live: Lag B'Omer celebrations in MeronTens of thousands celebrate Jewish holiday near tomb of Tannaic sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai Great-grandson of Gerrer Rebbe killed in traffic accident1 killed, six injured when car carrying haredi students overturns on way back from Meron.'Tourism and holiness do not go hand in hand'Members of Knesset Internal Affairs Committee visit Meron, say Zohar author's tomb has 'fallen between the cracks.' The fire and bow of Rabbi Simeon bar YochaiThe fire stays lit and the arrows fly true in the hearts of Jewish soldiers and Torah scholars. Parents protest Lag Baomer vacation changeParents cancel school, petition High Court in protest of Sunday's Lag Baomer vacation being moved to Monday. Tens of thousands spent Shabbat in Meron50,000 people spend Shabbat prior to Lag Baomer in tents in Meron, Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah prepare for any possible emergency. 600 Missing buses threaten to jam up Lag BaOmer in MeronIt's complicated, but because of the official intention to "keep the Sabbath holy," buses will be in short supply on Sunday. 'Haredim are not disciplined, they do what they want'Northern police rabbi says haredi community can't have it both ways, haredi community forces police to desecrate Shabbat against their will. Finance Minister works to aid Meron visitorsFinance Minister says Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's gravesite 'close to his heart,' promises to do everything he can to aid site's visitors. 'Worshipers were threatened with stabbing'In letter, MK Eliezer Moses describes intolerable violent atmosphere caused by bands of thugs at site of Rabbi's grave in Meron. Coming soon: Train line to MeronNew train will provide travelers an alternative route to popular pilgrimage site. Prayer campaign to help Sara NetanyahuLikud activist Lior Harari initiates prayer campaign to support Prime Minister's wife "as she is attacked in the media." Watch: Lag Ba'Omer celebration shows Jewish unityJewish Americans say Meron bonfire is the "craziest" they've ever seen. Watch: Masses at Meron for Lag Ba'Omer HilulaTraditional bonfire celebration run by Boyan hassidic sect draws hundreds of thousands. Arutz Sheva is at the scene. Uproar over men-only road to MeronLag Ba'Omer 'Hilula' celebration has two roads - one for men and one for women - despite anti-segregation laws. Watch: The Spiritual 'Baton' From Moses to RashbiRabbi Lazer Brody explains who Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai - whose grave in Meron is visited by masses on Lag B'Omer - really was. 170 Treated at Meron Lag B'Omer CelebrationMDA says hundreds were hurt or dehydrated in massive crowds and bonfires, both at Meron and nationwide. Non-Jews Harassed Jewish Women Praying in MeronLehava anti-assimilation group describes how it stopped ushers harassing Jewish women at Rashbi's tomb on Lag B'Omer. Watch: Over Half-a-Million People and No Wounds?Police Superintendent Micky Rosenfeld outlines the huge efforts to ensure safety at Meron on Lag B'Omer. Watch: Lag B'Omer Celebrations Continue in MeronJewish celebration continues at tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron. Watch it live at Arutz Sheva. Aharonovich: Lag B'Omer Is My Last 'Mission'For Yitzhak Aharonovich, the journey to Meron Wednesday night - his last in an official capacity - was a very emotional one.Tens of Thousands Celebrate Lag B'Omer in MeronLargest annual Jewish celebration begins at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Watch it happen live on Arutz Sheva.Lag B'Omer in Meron: Helicopters and ZeppelinMassive police preparations ahead of Lag B'Omer festivities at the grave of Rashbi, where tens of thousands will light bonfires.Police Prepare for Crowds in Meron on Lag Ba'OmerTens of thousands expected to attend traditional 'hillula' celebration - and police are ready to battle congestion. An 'Upsherin' for the Son of an SLA SoldierDavid, 3, undergoes ritual hair-cutting ceremony in Meron - in culmination of a family's rescue from abuse. MDA, Rescue Workers Treat Over 600 at MeronFor Magen David Adom and other rescue workers, Lag Ba'omer is one of the busiest days of the year, and this year was no different Rabbi David Yosef Slams Meron EventsRespected Jerusalem rabbi sharply criticized organizers of the Lag Ba'omer celebrations, for causing mass Sabbath violationsShabbat, 'No Drive Zone' Keep Crowds Out of MeronThere were far fewer celebrants at Meron this year for Lag Ba'omer celebrations - about half as many as usual, participants said. Meron: 300 People Treated by MDAMedical teams still stationed in Meron to treat additional injuries after hundreds treated at crowded bonfire site.In Pictures: Celebrating Lag Ba'omer in MeronFestivities kick off in the northern Israeli city of Meron as pilgrims flock to the Tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Thousands on Their Way to Meron for Lag Ba'omerThe annual festivities at the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in the north are ready to kick off, as police and medics prepare. Lag Ba'Omer: Rashbi ReturnsRashbi, the central figure of Lag Ba'omer celebrations, was on a higher plane than ordinary humans.Low Turnout for Meron Lag Ba'omer Celebrations?Officials in Meron cite transportation restrictions as a factor; city already overcrowded several days before event. Aharonovich: Hareidi Enlistment in Under a MonthMinister of Internal Security anticipates fast decision on hareidi enlistment, calls for Arab service as well. Hareidi Media Calls for Inquiry into Meron CrisisHareidi media calls for inquiry over organizational failures that left tens of thousands stranded.Visitors: Meron a Disaster ZoneMeron: Tens of thousands wait anxiously for buses in the heat, visitors label coordination at site ‘a catastrophe’200,000 Celebrate in MeronPictures of Saturday night’s all-night celebration in Meron. Thousands Trapped in MeronThousands who spent the night cannot get home due to what they term police organizational failures.MDA Preparing Ahead for Lag Ba”Omer at MeronMagen David Adom is already making preparations for the massive influx of Jews expected for Lag Ba'Omer at Meron. Masses of Israelis Celebrate Lag Ba'Omer in MeronPolice have deployed 1,200 officers as the masses flock to the tomb of R' Shimon Bar Yochai |
