"MERON CANCELED!!"...

16 Iyyar 5786
31 Days of the Omer
Tiferet sheb'Hod

...Israel Cancels Meron Lag BaOmer
Hilula For First Time In Modern History  

* * * UPDATE!  * * *

Lag Ba'omer In Meron Canceled!
SIGN OF THE GEULA??

(*Especially since the focus of this stage of the war period is on
restoring Har Habayit and the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash.)

Introduction to The History of Lag Ba'Omer Celebrations
For the Uninitiated  (Source of information: Chabad.org)

Lag Ba'Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer count, is a minor Jewish holiday marking a pause in mourning for Rabbi Akiva's students and the yahrtzeit (passing) of mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.  Celebrated with bonfires, picnics, and haircuts, it commemorates the end of a plague and the revelation of Kabbalistic secrets, with major festivities in Meron.

Origins and Significance

• End of Plague: According to the Talmud, a plague that killed 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva during the period between Passover and Shavuot stopped on this day.
• Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Rashbi): The day commemorates the passing of the 2nd-century sage who instructed his students to treat his death as a joyful yom hilula (festive day) because he revealed profound mystical secrets (the Zohar) on that day.
• Historical Link: Some link the day to the Bar Kokhva revolt against Rome, suggesting the bonfires symbolize success or resistance.

Evolution of Customs

• Bonfires: Symbolizing the spiritual light introduced to the world by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, bonfires have been a central feature for centuries, with early records from the 15th-16th centuries noting gatherings at his burial site in Meron.
• Haircuts (Upsherin): In observant communities, three-year-old boys receive their first haircut on this day.
• Bows and Arrows: Children play with bows and arrows to symbolize the rainbow, which is considered a sign of divine protection, or as a nod to the stories of the Bar Kokhva revolt.
• Weddings: Because it is a break from the mourning period, Lag Ba'Omer is a very popular day for weddings.

Modern Celebrations

• Meron Pilgrimage: Hundreds of thousands gather annually at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron, Galilee, to light fires, sing, and dance.
• Bonfires Worldwide: Jewish communities globally hold bonfires and festive outdoor meals, making it a popular school and community holiday.
• Israeli Culture: In Israel, it is a significant day for scouting events, parades, and in recent times, a day that emphasizes the "Zionist" connection to the land and heroism

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🌎Jewish Life News/Israel (@jewishuniverse)