Personal Prayer for Lag BaOmer in the Merit of Rashbi

Personal Prayer for Lag BaOmer in the Merit of Rashbi

1. Give tzedakah in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai;
2. Light a candle in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai;
3. Recite Tehillim 90–106;
4. Read the texts and prayers below;
5. Ask for your personal needs, as specifically as possible;
6. Play joyful music in the home and rejoice in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.

One should say: Rabbi Yochanan said in the name of Rashbi: “When Torah teachings are spoken in the name of a sage, his lips move in the grave as they are being recited.” Rabbi Yirmiyah said in the name of Rashbi: “I can exempt the entire world from judgment, from the day I was born until today. I have seen elevated people, and they are few.< If there are one thousand, my son Elazar and I are among them.< If there are one 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 Tiberias, and on the way he encountered the prophet Eliyahu: “Greetings, my master,” Eliyahu said. “What is the L-rd doing now in the Heavenly Yeshivah?” Eliyahu told him that the L-rd was engaging in the hidden meaning of the sacrifices and studying what he (Rashbi) had revealed. “Therefore, fortunate are you, 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 by the Jewish people.” Rashbi said: “G-d forbid that Torah should be forgotten by the Jewish people, as it is written: ‘May it not be forgotten by his descendants.’” Rashbi said: “Anyone who possesses arrogance is considered as though he worships the stars and planets.” Rashbi said: “Anyone who welcomes guests graciously is considered as though he welcomes the Shechinah.” Rashbi taught: “It is better for a person to throw himself into a fiery furnace than to publicly shame another.” Rashbi taught: “Honoring one's parents is so important that the Almighty places it above His own honor.” Rashbi taught: “Great is labor, for it brings honor to its master.” Rashbi said: “The Almighty said to the Jewish people: ‘Honor My commandments, for they are My messengers, and a person's messenger is considered as the person himself. If you honor them, it is as though you honor Me; and if you disregard them, it is as though you have disregarded My honor.’” Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai said: “Just as mountains contain the abyss so that it does not spread and fill the entire world, so too tzedakah rises above the attribute of judgment, so that iniquity does not overrun the earth.” Rashbi said: “Great is peace, together with all its blessings, as it is written: ‘The L-rd will give strength to His people; the L-rd will bless His people with peace.’” Rashbi said: “If the Jews observed two Shabbatot in full, the Redemption would come immediately.” Rashbi said: “What is written? ‘And I am prayer to You, O L-rd, 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 turned away from Torah, strengthen yourself in it, and you will receive the reward for all of them.” Description of Rashbi's final moments. Rabbi Abba, the eldest of Rashbi's disciples, who was present at the time, relates (as recorded in the Zohar): “Throughout that entire Lag BaOmer, the house was on fire. No one could approach it because of the intense light and heat. When the fire went out, I saw Rashbi, already deceased, wrapped up and lying on his right side, with a smile on his face. Rabbi Elazar, his son, rose, took his hands, and kissed them. I scattered ashes from beneath his feet over my head. His disciples wanted to mourn him, but they could not utter a word. His son, Rabbi Elazar, prostrated himself three times, but could not even open his mouth. A fragrance wafted 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 Rabbi Shimon's wedding!” And when he entered the cave, the voice said: “This man shakes the earth; kingdoms tremble before him. How many accusers have fallen silent now because of you.” This is Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, of whom the L-rd 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 concerning him it is said: “And you shall come to your end and rest, and arise to your allotted portion at the end of days.” Personal Prayer for Lag BaOmer in the Merit of Rashbi Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, precious light, holy light! You promised Israel that Torah would not be forgotten from the Jewish people because of you, even in the Concealment within the Concealment, in these days, throughout this long exile and prolonged oppression. You promised that, despite everything, Torah would not be forgotten among our descendants. Rabbi, Rabbi, arise and awaken, together with all the true tzadikim, so that you may see all the bitterness of our troubles. Forgive, have mercy, and atone for all our sins and transgressions, and for all that I have done from my youth until this day that is evil in Your eyes. For all this, forgive me, have mercy on me, and atone for me, Merciful One, and give me strength to overcome my evil inclination. Master of the Universe! Place 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 serve as good advocates on my behalf; that they should find good qualities in me and intercede for me, so that I may draw closer to You through Your mercy. Give me a new heart and a new soul, so that I may awaken and return to You with all my heart. Arise, great tzadik Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and plead with the L-rd on my behalf, that He may have mercy on me. Arise, great tzadik Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and plead for mercy on behalf of the entire Jewish people. And for the sake of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov; Moshe, Aharon, and Yosef; David, Shlomo, and Pinchas; and all the righteous and pious, may the Almighty, blessed be He, have mercy on us and grant us long lives filled with peace, blessing, abundance, prosperity, dignity, and health. Lives filled with love of Torah and fear of Heaven. May the Almighty fulfill all the desires of our hearts for goodness and blessing. Amen, may it be His will! (Rabbi Rafael Avitan, translated by Zoya Haya Tigay)