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Lag B’Omer and the Kabbalah


Question:

What is the connection between Lag B’Omer and the Kabbalah?



AskTheRabbi.org answered:

The greatest scholar of the Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) who ever lived, Rabbi Shimon died on Lag B'Omer, and on that day he revealed many of the deepest ideas of the Kabbalah to his students. They recorded his teachings in a book known as the Zohar, the Light. Ancient Jewish custom dictates that the anniversary of the death of a great scholar should be noted as a means of inspiring people with his lessons and teaching.

For hundreds of years on Lag B'Omer, people have gone to the grave of Rabbi Shimon on Mount Meron in the Galilee region. There they celebrated by lighting bonfires to symbolize the light of Torah that Rabbi Shimon revealed, and by dancing, singing and studying Rabbi Shimon's teachings. Today it is common to see people all over Israel celebrating Lag B'Omer with bonfires and singing, while at Mt. Meron itself, hundreds of thousands participate in the festivities.


 
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