45 people crushed to death, over 150 injured , at an overcrowded Lag ba Omer event at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, near the city of Safed (Tzfat).
The event is meant to commemorate the passing date of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (RASHBI, for short), an ancient scholar, author of the basic text of the Kabbalah. It is done in and around his tomb, with people asking for salvation, lighting bonfires and candles, and displaying a lot of joy through music and dances.
I feel sad, very sad. I can't say, though, I"m very surprised. This festival of light and joy at the tomb of RASHBI , takes place every year; it is a miracle that it ends ,relatively, without casualties, considering all those thousands of ultra-orthodox jews invading the narrow , underdeveloped , mountain area.
This year there was no miracle. There were heartbreaking scenes of people slipping and falling on top of one another , of stampede , of hopeless rescue attempts.
I'm against this kind of mass events. First of all, I believe the deceased rabbi is entitled to sleep in peace his eternal sleep without any disturbance from the outside world.
Secondly, I think those who've given permission and money ׂ('coalition' money, I presume) to this mass gathering, especially now, with the corona virus playing 'hide and seek' with us, should be heavily punished.
I'm very much afraid it's just the beginning of the disaster. Who knows if and how many of the thousands of surviving participants have contracted the virus .
The day of tomorrow (Sunday) is declared national day of mourning.
As I read about this, I was sad for those who perished, but as you noted also surprised that this eveng happened during thie pandemic. Personally, large crowds scare me.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, you and anyone else should be surprised, considering the pandemic. We've got over 40 cases of the indian variant at present!
DeleteLarge crowds scare me anytime. I'll always try to keep away from the crowd.
This is so horrible.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. There were children and teens among the casualties. I've seen the picture of two twin boys in the news.
DeleteThese mass gatherings of the orthodox community have always had the potential for this kind of tragedy to occur, and it should come as no surprise to anyone that it has.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.Things will have to change drastically. The ultra-orthodox community is behaving like an autonomous entity, but the money for the logistics (transport and food) comes from the government. It shouldn't.
DeleteSuch sad news to hear. I feel sorrow for the families of those that died.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I felt devastated after seeing on the news, children and young people among the casualties
DeleteThis was so shocking and sad I immediately thought of Running of the Bulls. Yes, I like staying away from crowds. I think of the times of the concerts I went to with standing room only..how did I survive. Why? Why would I even think of going. Definitely, never again.
ReplyDeleteMore or less similar tragedies have happened at concerts and sports games both in Israel and abroad.
DeleteSuch tragedies could be avoided, if there's thorough pre-planning regarding all the components: human; safety, security etc...
When I saw the story it saddened me. I was not aware of what the occasion was so thank you for that info. Prayers for the families who lost loved ones and for those injured that they make a full recovery.
ReplyDeletebetty
Thanks, Betty.
DeleteSome time ago I wrote of a pilgrimage to the tomb of another rabbi, this time in Ukraine. It was at the beginning of the pandemic, and the Ukrainian authorities were involved, but it was only partially banned. Our PM was not strict enough about this for political reasons.
A tragic thing to happen, it was on our news and it was said that the Police wouldn't open the gates.
ReplyDeleteThe police is always the first to be blamed. I blame those who haven't opposed the pilgrimage openly and clearly, and who gave the funds to make it happen every year.
DeleteA disaster, indeed!
ReplyDeleteNot unexpected; the kind of disaster that is bound to happen with all those thousands on a small area.
DeleteSuch a tragedy, two fold as your wrote. I hope the survivors stay well, and can mourn they've those they lost. Sadly, funerals have been super spreader events.
ReplyDeleteTrue; big crowds at the funerals , judging by the pictures in the media. People have been told that vaccines prevent spreading of the virus, so to hell with the restrictions.
DeleteThanks for your explanation of this mass gathering of ultra-religious people. Such loss of life and casualties is traumatic. However, I have never understood what drives people to undertake such pilgrimages, it's as though they have been influenced, indoctrinated or programmed to undertake such journeys.
ReplyDeleteWhat reward do they get? If there is nothing, other than they have no option but to follow some deep feeling within themselves, I'm mystified. But then I'm utterly mystified by so much that goes on in this cruel world.
I don't mean to ridicule these pilgrims, who come in many different forms and cultures. We have those who believe that Elvis Presley still lives and those lovers of this man still spend much time and money by trekking to Graceland. I'm amazed, but nothing new I guess.
Yes, tragedies are always with us. I've lived long enough to have too many occur every year.
Football fans crushed to death, young children similarly killed in the 1960s when the slag heap in Aberfan, in Wales, collapsed on their school and numerous other disasters. Tragedy is part of life, sad but so very true'
You may call it indoctrination - and there's big, big money for the organizers in it. Those pilgrims don't come with their sandwich from home. It's millions of sandwiches, of beverage bottles; expensive transport arrangements from all over the country.. Where does the money come from? from the government.
DeleteI read about the event in the newspaper. I was amazed that it was allowed this year with Covid still so prevalent.
ReplyDeleteWell, I've ceased to get amazed. I want those people who could have prevented the pilgrimage to rot in jail.
DeleteYou see, politicians and doctors cooperate in misleading the people as to the role of vaccines. I was always told flu-vaccine makes the disease lighter, more treatable, but doesn't prevent spreading of the virus. Now, politicians have decided that covid vaccine does prevent, so no need to take precautions.
That's very sad.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the pictures, most of them young, fills one with deep sadness.Such a waste of human life!
DeleteThank you for the explanation, Duta. I read the headlines and was saddened of all the deaths which were totally unnecessary if people had not gather in mass groups. I agree with you comment that the rabbi should be left to rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteMass gatherings such as this one, and even much smaller, should not be allowed! What an horrific way of dying! People crushed under other people with no air and no chance to escape!
DeleteAnd yes, the eternal sleep of those dead scholars should definitely not be disturbed!
Hi Duta, Prayers for healing and comfort to the Jewish people and all Israel and those who are mourning after Lag B`Omer tragic events in Meron.
ReplyDeleteHeal me, O LORD, and I will be healed.
Save me, O LORD, and I will be saved.
For You are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14
Thank you for sharing the report, I had heard about it from a friend in Singapore who has a heart for praying for Israel and the Jewish people. Blessings and peace♡
ְBeautiful prayer! Praying helps.
DeleteThanks, Shayndel to you and to your friend in Singapore.
Blessings and Hugs!
Ohh this is so sad 😥
ReplyDeleteI feel not only sad but also angry. The tragedy could have been prevented, it was expected - but evil reigns everywhere.
DeleteDuta, I thought of you when I heard this, though I wasn't terribly worried you were caught up in it, but simply that something so tragic would happen in your country and I hoped all you knew were safe. I, too, thought about the complications of this in a virus-laden world, especially when your numbers have been so good, and I truly hope that those folks or most of them had their vaccines, which may help, though not foolproof. It is simply shocking and should never have been permitted, in my view.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeanie, for thinking of me and of the people in my country.
DeleteThe last sentence of your comment sums it well up "...it should never been permitted..".
I completely agree with you. I avoid crowds as much as possible, always aware of my surroundings and exits. Human behavior is shocking at times. This incident was tragic.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, even awareness of exits won't help. One has to be able to reach those exits.In this case,the injured couldn't move.
Delete'Shocking' and 'tragic' are the right words.
I read about this, Duta. This is a sad thing, but not surprising. It is the time to avoid crowds to stay safe, in more ways than one! It's a shame, there's always turmoil somewhere and there's money involved a lot of times.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame, definitely! Where there's money involved, there's always Evil. In this kind of mass events there's lots of money involved. The organizers won't let it slip through their fingers, even though they know the dangers.
DeleteIt's called mountain, but a mountain here is not like a mountain in Europe or other places; it's not for thousands of people.
I saw this on the news with my mom. I agree so very sad! I agree also with everything you have said! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's encouraging to have someone agree with me, especially when referring to life and death issues. as in the above event.
DeleteI was not only very surprised by this mass gathering when I saw the TV coverage, but disturbed, too. All seems to have gone quiet since then...not much more has been reported on the aftermath...or at leas I've not seen it.
ReplyDeleteWell, there were the funerals of the 45 dead. The pictures and names appeared in the media. There are also attempts to form the right inquiry commission to investigate the tragedy.
DeleteThis was so sad.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts go to all those who lost loved ones.
All the best Jan
Thanks a lot, Jan.
DeleteThere's still great sadness everywhere in the country. Hopefully, there will be a thorough investigation that will lead to prevention of similar tragedies.
Very sad. This tragedy should not happen, but it is about belief. People tend to sacrifice for their believing.
ReplyDeleteThe ancient rabbi advocated joy and light but not die and sacrifice for it.
DeleteAnyway, as you've said, the tragedy shouldn't have happened.