Editing Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (section)

Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (or Ben Yochai; abbreviated as Rashbi or Rabbi Shimon; in the books of the Zohar, Tikunei Zohar, and the Idrot he is called by the name Botzina Kadisha) was one of the greatest Tannaim, living in the fourth generation of the Tannaitic period. He was a disciple of Rabbi Akiva. He is mentioned many times in the Mishnah simply as "Rabbi Shimon." Rashbi was the primary revealer of the teachings of Kabbalah, and he and his group composed the book of the Zohar.

His Hilula day on Lag BaOmer is a festive day for all of the Jewish people, and multitudes ascend to his grave in Meron. The Rebbe instituted children's parades held worldwide to commemorate the day of his passing.