History of Lag BaOmer in Meron

Learn about the “fiery and passionate merriment” of the Jewish festival of Lag BaOmer in Meron as described by Rabbi Hayyim Vital in the 16th century, Haym Zvi Sneersohn in the 19^th century and today in the 21^st century State of Israel. Not much has changed. Plus, the biography of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the Kabbalist who hid from the Romans and inspired generations of Torah scholars. Also, the history of modern Meron, which was liberated in the War of Independence after being used to shoot rockets into Tzfat.

The ancient synagogue of Meron. Credit: Ben Bresky, 2015

Lag Baomer in Meron. Credit: Ben Bresky, 2015

The remains of the ancient synagogue in Meron. Credit: Ben Bresky, 2015

The remains of the ancient synagogue in Meron. Credit: Ben Bresky, 2015

Tombs in Meron. Credit: Ben Bresky, 2015

Meron hills. Credit: Ben Bresky, 2015

Tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Credit: Ben Bresky, 2015

The remains of the ancient synagogue in Meron. Credit: Ben Bresky, 2015

Singing and drumming in Meron on Lag BaOmer. Credit: Ben Bresky, 2007

An old man studying the Holy Scripture at the shrine in Meron. In the background, the tomb of Rabbi Eliezer. Credit: Fritz Cohen, GPO, 1955.

The tomb of Rabbi Yohanan HaSandlar at Meron. In the background, the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai and a yeshiva. Credit: Fritz Cohen, GPO, 1955.

Lag Ba'omer celebrations on Mount Meron in the Galilee. In the photo, the traditional hair cutting of 3 year old boys. Credit: Moshe Pridan, GPO,1957.

Lag Ba'Omer celebrations on Mount Meron in the Galilee. in the photo, a rabbi performing the traditional first haircut on a 3 year old boy. Credit: Moshe Milner, GPO, 1970

The Lag Ba'Omer celebrations at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai on Mount Meron in the Upper Galilee. Credit: Hans Pinn, GPO, 1939

Notes:

• Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'omer brings music, smiles and bonfires - Jerusalem Post

• Lag B'Omer In Meron - 1935 - video

• Lag B'Omer in Meron - Join the biggest Jewish party on Earth - video

• Rabbi Shimon in the Cave

• Later Biblical Researches in Palestine, and in the Adjacent Regions by Edward Robinson

• The Jerusalem Rabbi Who Met President Ulysses S. Grant

• Palestine and Roumania, a description of the Holy Land by Chaim Tzvi Schneerson

• Meron Niggun by Hilik Frank

• Medley for the pilgrimage to the tomb of Rabbi Yohanan ha-sandlar by Moshe “Mousa” Berlin