Meron is a village in northern Israel , near the town of Safed (Tzfat). It is famous for the tomb of Rashbi (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai), an ancient scholar , and for the pilgrimage of thousands to his tomb on Lag ba' Omer holiday.
Rashbi was the author of the Zohar ( brightness, radiance in hebrew), the basic text of the Kabbalah (the mystical dimension of the Torah). On the day of his passing he instructed his disciples to mark the date as a day of great light and joy.
entrance to the tomb (Web picture)
On the eve of Lag ba' Omer,( this year it fell on Wednesday 25 May) it is customary to light bonfires across the country , to commemorate the passing of the talmudic sage, Rashbi, who gave us intense light through his teachings and miracles.
bonfire
Children love bonfires. They work hard to gather scraps of wood and everything else that is needed to maintain a nice looking bonfire. They enjoy contemplating the fire, taking care of it, shouting, singing, eating roasted potatoes...Parents cooperate and supervise.
giving instructions
Until the last few years, the bonfires were modest: small to medium size. Now they've become bigger, more spectacular. Meat (kebab, steak..) has been added to the menu of the innocent jacket potatoes .
adding wood to fire
I love bonfires too, but, honestly, if this tradition were to be abolished I wouldn't shed many tears. It's dangerous, it pollutes the air, and...one of them is right behind my building (100 meter from it, I guess). On the other hand, I feel blessed by this annual bonfire near my home, so I'll just settle for ways to minimize the dangers . One has to see the good in everything.
tiny synagogue in the background (seen from my upper window)
I feel blessed by its presence too
The firefighters and the paramedics are very busy on the eve of Lag ba' Omer and on the next day,especially in Meron where many thousands gather to pray in and around Rashbi's tomb asking for salvations , lighting bonfires, and having a lot of joy .
interesting view of the synagogue -
seen in the circle around the fire
