As an American-born litvish person who does not like crowds, I can’t understand the desire to go to Meron on Lag B’Omer. But for many, especially Israeli chasidim and sefardim going to Meron is a spiritually uplifting event and an amazing opportunity for tefilla that they would not miss. Rabi Shimon promised yeshuos (salvation) to those who come and celebrate “with him”, and some even come from outside of Israel to daven for special needs. I can’t say that all 500,000 go for the same reasons- some are probably just going for the adventure and because it is a happening place, but for the majority, it is a spiritual opportunity. And for the vendors, an opportunity to make some money (on a live stream of Meron, they featured a guy selling spinners!)
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