"How fortunate, Bar Yochai!”

by HaRav Dov Begon
Rosh HaYeshiva, Machon Meir

Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai merited that the vast majority of the people memorialize him on the anniversary of his death, Lag BaOmer, by lighting bonfires. These bonfires serve as a memorial candle for his noble soul, which to this day has always illuminated the soul of the nation with Torah, in general, and more specifically with the Zohar which he authored. As is known, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was a disciple of Rabbi Akiva. The two of them, master and disciple, both felt the pain of the nation, which in those days was under Roman control. The Romans enacted decrees against the Jewish people, with the goal of humiliating them, subjugating them, and weakening them, especially by their decree against Torah study. They knew that nothing so strengthens the Jewish people, giving them the fortitude to withstand the grave crisis following the destruction of the Temple, more than the study of our holy Torah.

Indeed, Rabbi Akiva would gather large crowds and teach Torah. He had no fear of the Romans. Ultimately, however, he was arrested, imprisoned, and taken out to be cruelly executed. The Romans combed his flesh with iron combs. Yet, in his great love for God, he took upon himself the yoke of the kingdom of heaven, and his soul departed as he finished reciting the first line of the Shema.

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai followed in the path of his master, Rabbi Akiva (see Berachot 61b) and he spoke negatively against the Romans, despite the danger. Ultimately he was compelled to flee from them and to hide for twelve years in a cave, together with his son. Neither Rabbi Akiva nor Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai could bear the humiliation of the Jewish People – the nation that God chose from all others – and they sacrificed themselves for the glory of their people.

Today, after thousands of years of exile in which the glory of Israel was trampled to the dust, how fortunate we are and how good our portion that we are returning to our land, and that the glory of the Jewish people is being reinstated. The Torah is returning to its abode. The decrees of the Romans and of all of Israel’s enemies down through the exile to prevent Jews from learning the Torah did not succeed. The self-sacrifice of Rabbi Akiva and of all the Jews over Torah learning did not go to waste. Today, thank God, the State of Israel is the world center of Torah learning. Also, the sacrifice of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai for the glory of Israel is defending us, and on Lag BaOmer the Jewish masses honor the day of his passing with an enormous celebration at Meiron, and with bonfires throughout the country.

More and more, we are seeing revealed the great thirst of our nation to learn about the light of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, which is increasing from generation to generation and from day today. That light is hastening our own redemption and the redemption of the world. In that spirit, we sing, “How fortunate, Bar Yochai! Anointed by your colleagues with the oil of joy!”

Looking forward to complete redemption,
With Love of Israel,
Shabbat Shalom.