Israeli security officials on Thursday announced that they will officially be completely shutting down Meron and the Kever of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai for the upcoming Lag BaOmer celebrations, which fall on May 25-26 this year.
“In accordance with the assessment of the situation in the IDF and in coordination with the relevant bodies, it was decided to cancel the events of the Rabbi’s revelry on Mount Miron, between the dates of May 24-27, 2024. This, in accordance with the powers set forth in the Civil Defense Law,” the IDF said in a statement announcing the decision.
The closure comes amidst incessant rocket and mortar fire, as well as explosive drones, coming from Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon targeting northern Israel. Just this week Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets toward Har Meron and rockets fell on the roads leading to the tzion of the Rashbi. In recent months, hundreds of rockets have been launched at the Air Force control base on Har Meron.
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13 Responses
This decision is a no-brainer from a safety and security perspective, although I’m sure there will be some mindless kvetching about having to forego the bonfires and traditional celebrations.
I wonder how many are going to go anyway.
Katanhadorah never misses a chance to publicly say Lashon Hara
Mindless? How inane are you? Probably a kofer, but I’ll mention it anyways – the sources are very strong that Rebbe Shimon was very makpid we should not cancel his hilula celebration
Once again canceled only religious events.
It was ok to have a huge event right near the gaza border.
If it was a religious event it would have NEVER received “police” permission for “security purposes “
You can call it kefirah or whatever you want but it would be mindless to allow hundreds of thousands to congregate in a small area within 7-8 km of the border with Lebanon where even the most crude Hezbolah rockets and drones could easily be targeted and very difficult to intercept.
This once again proves the Atheist Reshaim Zionists have no boundaries.
They deny it but deep down they know the power of Meron & will do anything to stop it.
Imagine being such an enemy of H’KBH & our relationship with him to be willing to without provocation start wars with Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran & the US Administration all to make the “plausible” excuse that it’s too dangerous to let Yidden grow in Ruchnius at Meron.
I encourage all who can to attend Meron even if it means “storming the gates” like we “storm the heavens” to beseech Hashem.
This is no longer about Meron, Rashbi, Lag B’Omer or anything else. It’s about showing the Atheist Reshaim Zionists who’s in charge. Yes they pay to keep Israel running & yes they pay for our housing, food, clothing, medical care, etc. Yes, they go off to fight facing death at every turn. But it is we who learn Torah that are the true biggest contributors & the sooner the evil ones realize this the better off they will be.
Kuvult
Wow packing in so much ignorance in one post. Really we started a war with hamas without provocation? We should Storm the gates even though there is danger, your ideas are at best foolish and down right dangerous. The ruchnius didn’t help 2 years ago when they got killed in meiron.
Did Reb Shimon disagree with the Gemara where it says that nothing pushes away pikuach nefesh?
Are you guys out of your mind. It would be a disgrace to the holy tzaddik. In America we celebrate r Shimon very well too. Why is this different that the “idea” of nationalism?
The holy R Yochanon Ben Zakai himself moved from Yavneh for different reasons. One I heard is to prevent another hold up to protect a physical city as was done in Masada and Jerusalem. R’Yochonon was an anti Zionist btw
Dear Mr Kuvult,
Can I just ask what would your response be if people do “storm the gates” and C’V Hezbollah do send rockets causing C’V injury and death?
Would appreciate an answer.
The terrorists will be even more disappointed than the Hareidim.
“It is we who learn Torah that are the true biggest contributors [who protect EY] and the sooner the evil ones realize this the better off they will be…”
OK. Allow the bonfires at Meron to proceed, give the “Atheist, reshaim, Zionist, soldiers” who staff the air defenses a few days of leave with their families and assume the z’chus of limud torah alone will adequately protect those who attend. And if a few rockets or drones are targeted at Meron with hundreds of thousands in attendance, we can be sure that they will magically be deflected and cause no fatalities or injuries.
Surely Kaplan protests will also be prohibited as a dangerous gathering of people who can be targeted? And next week’s Yom HaZikaron ceremonies will also be cancelled?