Moscow Jewry finances kabbalist Lag ba-Omer celebration on Mount Meron, Israel
Quote from Timothy Fitzpatrick on May 22, 2025, 13:50May 16, 2025
This year I was also lucky enough to climb Mount Meron by the grace of Heaven and take part in a great celebration in honor of Saint Tanai - Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, on the day of Lag ba-Omer.
The more effort you put in, the more you try to use every moment. And Mount Meron in general, and especially in Lag ba-Omer, is filled with spiritual and material experiences that are intertwined into a single sacred joy. Happy is the one who saw it.
A respected Jew from Moscow gave me money for "eighteen rutles" on Mount Meron. It is an ancient custom to feed and water those gathered for the celebration of Lag ba-Omer. I was a messenger and gave his donation to a sacred cause - feeding the guests of Rabbi Shimon, who come to rejoice in his great day. This is a great merit, and the one who got such an honor is happy.
Around midnight, a Hasid I didn't know came up to me and said to me: "Shiye, I have to tell you a story that you have a direct relationship with." He explained that he was responsible for raising funds for one of the food distribution points here on Meron.
"On Tuesday, I sat down to work on the list of donors, call and write to everyone I know. About a quarter of an hour later, I received a message from you about a Jew from Russia who wanted to take part in the expenses. A few more minutes passed, and my wife called in a panic, saying that our youngest son had an accident near the house!
She rushed to the hospital from home, and I rushed from the office. My heart was squeezing with anxiety. After careful examinations, amazing results were obtained: despite the very strong blow that our son received, he had no injuries! A few hours later, we were released home with our son. And all this, without a doubt, is due to the fact that that evening I was raising funds for the celebration in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai."
I climbed closer to the roof at Rabbi Shimon's grave again, and then went to the burial place of Rabbi Johanan Ha-Sandlar, which is nearby. It was already two o'clock in the morning. And against the background of the sounds of songs and dances in the yard of Rabbi Shimon, I heard familiar voices.
The legendary Musa Berlin with a clarinet in his hands, a few more musicians nearby. There were several representatives of the Schaefer family from Tiberias sitting around, who have been gathering here for many generations after lighting a bonfire on the grave of Rabbi Yohanan Ha-Sandlar - handing out treats, cups with arak or whiskey. They remember the old days, and the great clarinettist Musa Berlin begins to play familiar and unfamiliar melodies of Mount Meron. Some of those present still remember the times when the Arabs came to Mount Meron to dance the "debka" dance.
My cousin, reb Matityahu Heshin, one of the pillars of this annual meeting and one of the best dancers on Meron, was happy to see me and invited me to dance with him "kadochka". He whispered to Musa that there were guests from Russia here, and he started playing... "seven forty"!
That's how he is, Meron. History, memories, joy and prayer. Everyone finds their place here, someone in prayers, and someone in songs. But one thing in common for all: great love for the holy Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, coming from afar to enjoy his joy, receive blessings for health, joy, peace of mind and salvation. We are happy how good our share is in the celebration of Bar Yohai Day!
May 16, 2025
This year I was also lucky enough to climb Mount Meron by the grace of Heaven and take part in a great celebration in honor of Saint Tanai - Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, on the day of Lag ba-Omer.
The more effort you put in, the more you try to use every moment. And Mount Meron in general, and especially in Lag ba-Omer, is filled with spiritual and material experiences that are intertwined into a single sacred joy. Happy is the one who saw it.
A respected Jew from Moscow gave me money for "eighteen rutles" on Mount Meron. It is an ancient custom to feed and water those gathered for the celebration of Lag ba-Omer. I was a messenger and gave his donation to a sacred cause - feeding the guests of Rabbi Shimon, who come to rejoice in his great day. This is a great merit, and the one who got such an honor is happy.
Around midnight, a Hasid I didn't know came up to me and said to me: "Shiye, I have to tell you a story that you have a direct relationship with." He explained that he was responsible for raising funds for one of the food distribution points here on Meron.
"On Tuesday, I sat down to work on the list of donors, call and write to everyone I know. About a quarter of an hour later, I received a message from you about a Jew from Russia who wanted to take part in the expenses. A few more minutes passed, and my wife called in a panic, saying that our youngest son had an accident near the house!
She rushed to the hospital from home, and I rushed from the office. My heart was squeezing with anxiety. After careful examinations, amazing results were obtained: despite the very strong blow that our son received, he had no injuries! A few hours later, we were released home with our son. And all this, without a doubt, is due to the fact that that evening I was raising funds for the celebration in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai."
I climbed closer to the roof at Rabbi Shimon's grave again, and then went to the burial place of Rabbi Johanan Ha-Sandlar, which is nearby. It was already two o'clock in the morning. And against the background of the sounds of songs and dances in the yard of Rabbi Shimon, I heard familiar voices.
The legendary Musa Berlin with a clarinet in his hands, a few more musicians nearby. There were several representatives of the Schaefer family from Tiberias sitting around, who have been gathering here for many generations after lighting a bonfire on the grave of Rabbi Yohanan Ha-Sandlar - handing out treats, cups with arak or whiskey. They remember the old days, and the great clarinettist Musa Berlin begins to play familiar and unfamiliar melodies of Mount Meron. Some of those present still remember the times when the Arabs came to Mount Meron to dance the "debka" dance.
My cousin, reb Matityahu Heshin, one of the pillars of this annual meeting and one of the best dancers on Meron, was happy to see me and invited me to dance with him "kadochka". He whispered to Musa that there were guests from Russia here, and he started playing... "seven forty"!
That's how he is, Meron. History, memories, joy and prayer. Everyone finds their place here, someone in prayers, and someone in songs. But one thing in common for all: great love for the holy Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, coming from afar to enjoy his joy, receive blessings for health, joy, peace of mind and salvation. We are happy how good our share is in the celebration of Bar Yohai Day!