Meron

Meron is a village in northern Eretz Yisroel near the city of Tzfat, where several Tannaim are buried.

The Kever of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai

The village is primarily known for the kever of the Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai located there. In this context, the Gemara relates that when Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was nistalek, there was a dispute between the village of Meron and the village of Pekiin about which would merit having the holy Tanna rest within it. When they placed his bed, suddenly the bed lifted itself and began moving toward the village of Meron, and then they knew that it was indeed decreed from Shamayim that the village of Meron is the worthy and honored place for the dwelling of the holy Tanna.

Within the complex at the tziyun, there is a Chabad beis knesses. A kollel for studying Toras HaChassidus operates there, managed by Rabbi Asaf Spiegel from Tzfat.

The Rebbe's shliach to Meron is Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Halperin.

On Lag BaOmer, the day of his histalkus, hundreds of thousands of people ascend each year to daven at the tziyun. At the site, by the Rebbe's instruction, there is extensive activity by Chabad chassidim, especially by the Yeshivas Chassidei Chabad Lubavitch Tzfat, which every year sets up a huge tent for writing to the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach through the Igros Kodesh and publicizing the Geulah and the Goel.

The Meron Disaster

On Lag BaOmer 5781, there was extreme crowding at the conclusion of the hadlakas hamedurah of the Toldos Aharon chassidus, resulting in the deaths of 45 Yidden and injuries to over one hundred people. Among the dead were two Chabad chassidim, Rabbi Ariel Tzadik and Rabbi Shimon Matalon a"h.

The Visit of the Rebbe Rayatz to Meron

During his famous visit to Eretz Yisroel in 5689, on Monday, 6 Menachem Av, the Rebbe Rayatz visited the tziyun of the Rashbi in Meron.

At quarter past four in the morning, the Rebbe and his escorts, including many dignitaries from Tzfat and Teverya, left for Meron to be mishtateach on the tziyun of the divine Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The Rebbe entered the me'arah of Rabbi Shimon alone, lit several candles for his mother, father-in-law, wife, daughters and sons-in-law, as well as for Anash and the Temimim.

According to witness accounts, during the hishtatchut, the Rebbe's voice was suddenly heard from within the me'arah – loud crying, soul-stirring and heart-trembling sounds that startled those waiting outside in holy awe.

The Rebbe read all the Pa"Nim he brought with him, and afterward stood to daven Shacharis. Later, the Rebbe was mishtateach on the kever of Rabbi Elazar beRabbi Shimon. Afterward, the Rebbe circled the tziyun.

At the me'arah of the holy Tanna Rabbi Yitzchak Nafcha, the Rebbe entered the me'arah alone. Afterward, the Rebbe's holy handwriting was found inscribed on the tziyun: "All the talmidim learning in Russia. Klal Yisroel feels a deficiency in gashmiyus and ruchniyus."

At six-thirty in the morning, after finishing prayers, the Rebbe, at the request of the gabbaim, went to visit the "Bar Yochai" Yeshiva and "Moshav Zekenim" (eldercare home). The administrators of the institution received the Rebbe with great honor. They prepared breakfast for all of the Rebbe's many attendants, however the Rebbe did not touch the breakfast they served him at all. Instead of this meal, the Rebbe ate a few slices of cake that he brought with him. After the meal, the Rebbe and his attendants went up to the roof of the "Bar Yochai" Yeshiva and viewed from afar the cave of Rabbi Yochanan HaSandlar and saw the tree under which Beit Shammai are buried. In the guest book of the yeshiva, just before leaving with his entourage to Tiberias, the Rebbe signed his name and wrote: "Friday, Menachem Av, may Hashem turn them into joy and celebration." Beneath the Rebbe's name, his son-in-law the Rashag signed, and after him all the other attendants signed.

A few years after that visit, the Rebbe Rayatz mentioned this visit, along with the atmosphere that prevailed around it, and said:

"When I merited to be in our Holy Land, may it be built and established speedily in our days, and I was—as per the Chassidic Jewish expression used in the Land of Israel—by the Rashbi and by the authors of the 'Idra Kadisha,' I heard people saying: Meron is a happy tent. When you come to Meron, you become stronger."

The Rayatz also said that he heard in Meron the expression: Rashbi is a happy Rebbe. All that Jews lack in observing Torah and mitzvos, Rashbi takes upon his shoulders.

And on another occasion, the Rebbe added and said:

"When I visited our Holy Land, I heard Jews conversing with each other in this language: 'I was by the Rashbi and I am going by Rabbi Elazar,' or 'I was by Rabbi Chiya and I am going by Rabbi Akiva.' If this is said with sincerity—this is the matter of Hishtatchus - prostrating at graves."

Management of the Settlement

The chairman of the Meron settlement committee is David Klein, who replaced Rabbi Mordechai Halperin, a Chabad chassid, in the position.

Chabad Chassidim in the Settlement

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As of the year 5784 (2024) - eight Chabad families live in Moshav Meron.

See Also

• Lag BaOmer