Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai

In photos:

Lag Ba'Omer night in Meron

Lag Ba'Omer events began in Meron with bonfires lit by leading rabbis. Attendence was limited due to security concerns.

Learning from Rabbi Shimon

Rabbi Kook: True holiness must learn to work with reality, not against it - descending into life with patience and love, refining it gradually toward its destined purpose.

Watch:

Lag Ba'Omer celebrations at Hashmonaim Brigade

The new recruits to the haredi brigade held a special bonfire lighting together at their base to mark the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.

Watch:

Lag Ba'Omer celebrations begin in Meron

Annual Lag Ba'Omer celebrations featuring bonfires begin at the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. This year, due to the security situation, attendance at the event is limited.

From the Zohar Hakadosh:

The soul of the Torah

All the words of the Torah are concerned with exalted matters and celestial secrets...

Lights of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was prepared to suffer and to accept the attribute of judgment, so that the people of Israel not suffer and the attribute of mercy would shine upon them.

From Lebanon to Gaza:

Haredi soldiers celebrate Lag B'Omer

Netzach Yehuda haredi soldiers celebrate Lag B'Omer in honor of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai near the Gaza border, 'warriors with a great soul.'

Police to block access to Meron

Visitors arriving by public transportation, private minibus, will not be allowed to access the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

Esau and the "kiss" of antisemitism

Rashbi tells us that the hatred of Esav to Yaakov is a Halakha, so don't try to figure out why, don't try to appease, just be a proud Jew.

State renews process to take control of Meron site

State officials have called to renew the push to have the state take control of the Tomb of R. Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron.

Live: Thousands at Lag Ba'Omer celebration in Meron

Annual celebration held at tomb of Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

Lag b'Omer in Meron:

New hotline open to public in advance of festivities

Outline for this year complete in accordance with commission of inquiry's recommendations.

Lag Ba'Omer and Tikun Olam

What is the best way to make the world a better place. Revolution or Evolution? What was Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's misconception?

Emor + Lag BaOmer

Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai will not give up on anything and it is impossible for him to compromise and wait for things to unfold.

In Meron, gravesite of Rashbi to close ahead of large event

Gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai closes to visitors ahead of anniversary of Moses' passing. Prayer will be allowed nearby

Who was Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai whose grave is in Meron?

What made Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's grave the pilgrimage site for hundreds of thousands on Lag Ba'Omer?

R. Yehuda Bar Elai's celebrations return after more than a year

Staff at the holy site commemorating R. Yehuda Bar Elai are preparing to broadcast his memorial celebration to Jews around the world.

Rashbi - The special power to look deeply inside yourself

The power of Rashbi to see the pure essence of any Jewish soul is probably the main reason that millions of Jews visit his grave every year

Lag Ba'Omer in Meron:

Religious Zionism completes bonfire preparations

This year due to pandemic there will be limited number of bonfires with only 50 participants; Lighting to be broadcast live on Arutz Sheva.

Prayer for Coronavirus victims at Rashbi's Tomb

Prayer held at tomb of Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron.

Lag Ba'Omer: The unusual holiday

'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.'

Tens of thousands spent Shabbat in Meron

50,000 people spend Shabbat prior to Lag Baomer in tents in Meron, Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah prepare for any possible emergency.

'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.

Prayer campaign to help Sara Netanyahu

Likud activist Lior Harari initiates prayer campaign to support Prime Minister's wife "as she is attacked in the media."

Watch: The Spiritual 'Baton' From Moses to Rashbi

Rabbi Lazer Brody explains who Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai - whose grave in Meron is visited by masses on Lag B'Omer - really was.

170 Require Treatment at Meron Lag B'Omer Celebrations

MDA says hundreds were hurt or dehydrated in massive crowds and bonfires, both at Meron and nationwide.

Non-Jewish Staff Harassed Jewish Women Praying in Meron

Lehava anti-assimilation group describes how it stopped ushers harassing Jewish women at Rashbi's tomb on Lag B'Omer.

Lag B'Omer in Meron: 1000s of Officers, Helicopters and Zeppelin

Massive police preparations ahead of Lag B'Omer festivities at the grave of Rashbi, where tens of thousands will light bonfires.

Thousands on Their Way to Meron for Lag Ba'omer

The annual festivities at the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in the north are ready to kick off, as police and medics prepare.

200,000 Celebrate in Meron

Pictures of Saturday night’s all-night celebration in Meron.

MDA Preparing Ahead for Lag Ba”Omer at Meron

Magen David Adom is already making preparations for the massive influx of Jews expected for Lag Ba'Omer at Meron.

Video:Tens of Thousands Celebrate Lag Ba'Omer in Meron

Police have deployed 1,200 officers as the masses flock to the tomb of R' Shimon Bar Yochai

A Call for Ecological and Spiritual Lag B’Omer

Rabbis and environmentalists urge Jews to focus on the meaning of Lag B’Omer instead of dangerous bonfires that cause pollution.

Samaria Celebrates Diplomatic Victory over Roman Empire

“A huge Lag B’Omer bonfire in the heart of the Shomron recalls Rabbi Shimon Ben Yochai’s diplomatic victory over the Roman Empire.”

Hundreds of Thousands Celebrate Lag Ba'Omer in Meron

Hundreds of thousands in the Galilean city of Meron to celebrate the mystical teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.