Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai - the Tanna HaKadosh Rashbi

Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai - the Tanna HaKadosh - Rashbi - author of the Zohar HaKadosh Yahrzeit - 18 Iyar Resting place - Meron, Israel   Lag BaOmer is the Yom Hilula of the Tanna HaKadosh, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Rashbi), who is "Reb Shimon" in the Gemara and is the author of the "Zohar HaKadosh." Rabbeinu Chida says that we rejoice in honor of Rashbi because that is what he wanted. (Avodat HaKodesh) Why do we mourn on the 7th of Adar, the yahrzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu (many fasted on this day), yet celebrate the Hilula of Rashbi? Because the Gemara says (Temurah 16a) that 3,000 halachot were forgotten during the mourning for Moshe Rabbeinu, and so we mourn. However, on the day that Rashbi left this world, the secrets of Torah were revealed to man, which made this day one of joy and celebration. (Ner Yisroel) The days of Iyar are a segula for healing, especially the days of Hod, and especially Lag BaOmer, which is Hod she'be'Hod. The Arizal says that Rashbi blesses everyone who comes to Meron to celebrate his Yom Hilula. (Hilula D'Rashbi) The Tzemach Tzedek points out that the first letters of the words מ׳לך ר׳ופא נ׳אמן ו׳רחמן spell out מרון (Meron), meaning that in the merit of the tzadik resting in Meron, Hashem heals the sick. The verse (Yeshaya 57:19) says שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם לָרָחוֹק וְלַקָּרוֹב, אָמַר ד׳-וּרְפָאתִיו ("Peace, peace to the far and to the near," says Ha-Shem, "and I will heal him"). ורפאתיו has the same gematria as שמעון בר יוחאי. The hint here is that even those who could not come to Meron for Lag BaOmer can have their prayers answered wherever they may be (as the verse says, "to those who are far and those who are near"), and receive yeshuot in the merit of Rashbi. (Hilula D'Rashbi) Similarly, Mesechta Pesachim (51b) says that one can rely on Rashbi whether "before him" or "not before him." This hints that one can receive yeshua on his Yom Hilula "before him," by praying at his tziyun, or "not before him," meaning anywhere else you might be on Lag BaOmer. (Kol Aryeh) Reb Avraham of Kalisk would say, as he went to the mikveh on the morning of Lag BaOmer, that he was accepting upon himself the kedusha of Yom Tov. Rabbi Chaim Elazar of Munkacs points to a hint from the second mishna in Rosh Hashanah. It states that on Rosh Hashanah all people pass before Ha-Shem "k'vnei maron." This can be read as: on Rosh Hashanah, the merits of all people pass before Ha-Shem "mibichinas Meron" - from the aspect of Meron, where Rashbi and his son, Rabbi Elazar, are buried. In this merit the world continues to exist, as it is said, the tzadik is the foundation of the world. (Shaar Yisachar) It is held that Lag BaOmer is also a day of salvation for everything. (Shaar Yisachar) The light of the Kabbalah of Torah begins on Lag BaOmer, so the most important part of the day is Torah study. (Bnei Yisachar) It is especially beneficial to learn the story of Rashbi, starting from Shabbat daf 33b (that is, the daf "lag") or other Gemara passages about Rashbi. Reb Yaakov of Husiatyn says that this is a day to pray for both material and spiritual things, because it is the day when the Manna began to fall, opening a channel of parnasa not only for that generation, but for all subsequent generations. Every year the light of this great and holy day is renewed. The Sfat Emet heard from his grandfather, the Chiddushei HaRim, that on Lag BaOmer one can merit yirat Ha-Shem. Rabbi Yehoshua of Kaminka said the following to the Divrei Yechezkel of Shinov: Lag BaOmer is an "aspect" of Yom Kippur, because on Yom Kippur only Aharon, who was an aspect of Hod, could perform the avoda. Likewise on Lag BaOmer, which is Hod she'be'Hod, one can receive yeshuot just as on Yom Kippur. There is a custom of lighting bonfires in honor of Rashbi. The souls of all the tzadikim are present when the fire is lit. Reb Avraham Yaakov of Sadigura says that tens of thousands of neshamot receive tikkunim from the lighting of bonfires in honor of Rashbi. Rabbi Moshe Mordechai of Lelov says that simply saying the name of the place Meron, where Rashbi is buried, can bring yeshua. This can be learned from the Mishna in Yoma 3:1, where it is asked whether the sky had brightened as far as Chevron. The Yerushalmi and Rav Ovadia Bartenura explain that Chevron is mentioned because it invokes the zechut Avot, since the Avot are buried in Chevron. Similarly, the Rebbe of Sadigura said that simply saying the name of the city of Berditchev brings rachamim from Heaven, since Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev always defended Klal Yisrael. The Kedushat Tzion of Bobov, in a letter, told someone who wanted a child to donate Chai Rotel (about 54 liters of a beverage) for the people in Meron, in honor of Rashbi. (Taamei Minhagim) This is also done as a segula for many different things. There is a custom of pouring olive oil into the fire and burning clothing in the flames. Silken garments of the Ruzhiner chassidim were sent to Meron to be burned on the bonfire. The tzadikim of Eretz Yisrael say that this is a segula for material and spiritual success. Reb Menachem Mendel of Rimanov says that the reason we use bows and arrows on Lag BaOmer is that the rainbow did not appear while Rashbi was alive, and the bow symbolizes the rainbow. (Bnei Yisachar) A segula for having a boy is to shoot a bow and arrow on Lag BaOmer. (Sefer HaMiddot) This alludes to the verse in Divrei HaYamim (18:40), "וַיִּהְיוּ בְנֵי-אוּלָם אֲנָשִׁים גִּבּוֹרֵי-חַיִל דֹּרְכֵי קֶשֶׁת וּמַרְבִּים בָּנִים וּבְנֵי בָנִים" - bows (archers), and they had many sons and grandsons. (The Chernower Rov) There is a custom of giving a boy his first haircut at age three in Meron, if he is three years old. The Zohar and Tikkunei Zohar Many tzadikim say that one should read the Zohar or Tikkunei Zohar, even if you understand nothing, because it is beneficial for the neshama. This applies on any day, but especially on Lag BaOmer. Among those who said this or similar statements were: Rabbeinu Chida, Rabbi Yaakov Koppel, the Degel Machaneh Efraim, the Sheairit Yisrael, the Rebbe of Komarno, the Pele Yoetz, Rabbi Moshe of Kobrin, the Shomrei Emunim, and others. Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz says that reading the Zohar is beneficial for parnasa. Many tzadikim advise reading Tikkunei Zohar, especially from the beginning of Elul until Yom Kippur. (Sichot HaRan, Mateh Efraim) Torah Study Rabbi Yochanan said in the name of Rashbi: "When words of Torah are said in the name of a sage, his lips move in the grave as he speaks them." Rabbi Yirmiya said in the name of Rashbi: "I can exempt the entire world from judgment, from the day of my birth until today. I have seen elevated people, and they are few. If there are a thousand, my son Elazar and I are among them. If there are a hundred, my son Elazar and I are among them. And if there are only two, they are my son Elazar and I." Rashbi went to Tiveria, and met the prophet Eliyahu on the way: "Greetings, my master," said Eliyahu. "What is Ha-Shem occupied with now in the Heavenly Yeshiva?" Eliyahu told him that Ha-Shem was occupied with the hidden meaning of the sacrifices, and was studying what he (Rashbi) had revealed. "That is why you are fortunate, and that is why I greeted you first." When our Sages entered the vineyards of Yavneh, they said: "In the future, Torah will be forgotten among the people of Israel." Rashbi said: "G-d forbid that Torah should be forgotten among the people of Israel, as it is said, 'It shall not be forgotten from the mouths of his descendants.'" Rashbi said: "Anyone in whom there is coarseness is as if he worships stars and constellations." Rashbi said: "Whoever welcomes guests warmly is as if he welcomes the Shechina." Rashbi said: "It is better for a person to throw himself into a fiery furnace than to shame his fellow in public." Rashbi said: "Honoring one's parents is so important that the Almighty places it above His own Glory." Rashbi said: "Great is labor, for it brings honor to its master." Rashbi said: "The Almighty said to the people of Israel: 'Honor My commandments, for they are My messengers, and a person's messenger is like the person himself. If you honor them, it is as if you honor Me, and if you disgrace them, it is as if you disgraced My Glory.'" Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai said: "Just as the mountains contain the depths so that they do not spread and fill the whole world, so too tzedaka rises above the attribute of Judgment, so that iniquity should not fill the earth." Rashbi said: "Great is peace, with all its blessings, as it is said, 'Ha-Shem will give strength to His people, Ha-Shem will bless His people with peace.'" Rashbi said: "If the Jewish people were to keep two Shabbatot fully, the Redemption would come immediately." Rashbi said: "What is written? 'And I - my prayer to You, Ha-Shem, is at a favorable time.' What is a favorable time? The time of communal prayer." Rashbi taught: "If you see people who are despairing and have strayed from Torah, strengthen yourself in it, and you will receive the reward of them all."   An account of the final moments of Rashbi's life. Rabbi Aba, the senior of Rashbi's students, who was present, relates (as recorded in the Zohar): "That whole Lag BaOmer, the house was burning. And no one could approach him because of the intense light and heat. When the fire went out, I saw Rashbi, already dead, wrapped, lying on his right side, with a smile on his face. His son, Rabbi Elazar, stood up, took his hands and kissed them. And I sprinkled ashes from beneath his feet on my head. His students wanted to mourn him, but could not utter a word. His son Rabbi Elazar fell prostrate three times, but could not even open his mouth. Fragrance poured forth from the house. They placed him on a bier. When the bier was carried out of the house, it rose into the air, and a pillar of fire went before it. Everyone heard a voice: "Come, gather for the wedding of Rabbi Shimon!" And when he entered the cave, a voice said: "This man shakes the earth, kingdoms tremble before him. How many accusers have now been silenced because of you." This is Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, of whom Ha-Shem is so proud every day. Great is his portion in this world and in the World to Come. How many great treasures of the World to Come are destined for him! And of him it is said: "But you shall rest, and you shall arise at the end of days to your destiny."   A Personal Prayer on Lag BaOmer, in the Merit of Rashbi Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, precious light, holy light! You promised Israel that, thanks to you, Torah would not be forgotten from the nation, even in the Concealment of Concealment, in these days, in such a long exile and prolonged oppression. You promised that, no matter what, Torah would not be forgotten among our descendants. Rabbi, Rabbi, arise, awaken, together with all the true tzadikim, that you may see the full bitterness of our troubles. And forgive, and have mercy, and atone for all our sins and transgressions, and for all the evil in Your eyes that I have committed from the days of my youth until this day. For all this, forgive me and have mercy on me and atone for me, Merciful One, and give me the strength to overcome my evil inclination. Master of the World! Place it in the heart of this great tzadik, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and in the hearts of all the true tzadikim, that they should not turn away from me, but be good advocates for me, that they should find good qualities in me and plead on my behalf, so that I may draw close to You through Your Mercy. And give me a new heart and a new soul, that I may awaken and return to You with all my heart. Arise, great tzadik Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and plead with Ha-Shem on my behalf, that He have mercy on me. Arise, great tzadik Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and plead for mercy for all the people of Israel. And for the sake of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, and Moshe, Aharon and Yosef, David, Shlomo and Pinchas, and all the righteous tzadikim, may the Almighty, Blessed is He, have mercy on us and grant us a long life, full of peace, blessing and abundance, a rich, worthy, and healthy life. A life full of love for Torah and fear of Heaven. May the Almighty fulfill all the desires of our hearts for good and for blessing. Amen, may this be His will! (Rabbi Rafael Avitan, translation by Zoya Chaya Tigay)