An Auspicious Day
On the day that Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai was preparing to leave this world, he told his son Reb Elozar and the talmidim who were gathered around him, “This is an auspicious time. I am now going to reveal holy secrets that I have never yet disclosed, so that I will arrive in Olam HaBa without reason for embarrassment. I see that today is a distinctive day, for HaShem and all the tzaddikim are rejoicing in my celebration (hillula).”
He instructed his talmid Rebbi Abba to write down what he was about to say, Rebbi Elozor to repeat it, and the other talmidim to listen carefully. He then revealed to them the section of Zohar known as Idra Zuta. At that time, the kedusha of Rebbi Shimon was so intense that none of the talmidim were able to gaze upon him, and throughout the day, a fire surrounded the house, keeping everyone else at an awed distance.
Rebbi Abba recalled: “While I was in midst of writing, and Rebbi Shimon was in the middle of quoting a possuk, he stopped at the word ‘Chaim’. I waited, wanting to continue, but did not raise my head to see why he had stopped, for I was unable to look at the bright light that he radiated. Suddenly, I heard a voice call out a possuk that included the word ‘Chaim’, and then another voice called out another possuk. I fell to the ground and wept. When the fire subsided and the light faded away, I saw that the great luminary, Rebbi Shimon, had passed away. He was lying on his right side, with a smile on his face.”
Soon afterwards, residents of nearby Tzipori came to take Rashbi to bury him in their village, but the inhabitants of Meron sent them away. Meanwhile the bed, now outside the house, raised itself in the air, while a fire burned in front of it. A voice rang out, “Come and gather for the hillula of Rebbi Shimon!” When they entered the cave in which he would be buried, another voice was heard, coming from within: “This man shakes up the world and all its kingdoms; many adversaries in Shamayim are silenced because of his merit; HaShem glories in him daily. Fortunate is his portion, both Above and below!”
(זהר ח"ג דף רצ"א ע"ב, רצ"ו ע"ב)
On that Lag Ba’Omer, Rashbi was illuminated by the light of Moshiach, thereby attaining the highest level of his lifetime, and partially revealed that light to his talmidim. Hence, Lag BaOmer each year is a day of the revelation of pnimiyus haTorah, the inner, mystical dimension of the Torah.
(סדור עם דא"ח שער ל"ג בעומר, סה"ש תש"ד ע' 124)
Holy Celebrations
AriZal taught that it is a mitzva to rejoice on Lag BaOmer, because Rashbi called his yahrzeit a hillula, a celebration. This joy is meaningful to every Yid, for Rashbi protects the entire world from judgment.
(לקו״ש חכ"ב ע' 138)
For the Mitteler Rebbe, Lag BaOmer was an exceptional Yom-Tov. From the time he settled in Lubavitch, he renewed the minhag of celebrating Lag BaOmer in a field outside the city, with a light seuda and LeChaim. He too would say LeChaim, something he did not usually do for health reasons, and the chassidim would sing and dance. The Rebbe would perform miracles, bentching many childless women to have sons who would grow up to be true chassidim. Though he usually sent such requests to his brother, Reb Chaim Avrohom, on Lag BaOmer he would bentch them himself. People waited all year long for Lag BaOmer.
After delivering a maamar, the Mitteler Rebbe would ask the eltere chassidim to relate their Lag BaOmer memories of earlier years, and share the words of Torah and stories that used to be related. Even after he left, the chassidim would continue to farbreng until evening.
(היום יום י"ח אייר, תו"מ ח"א ע' 60, סה"ש תש"ו-ה'שי"ת ע' 412)
The gaon Reb Yonasan Eybeschutz cautions that one should make good use of this holy day and not waste it on foolishness.
Similarly, in a letter to his chassidim before Lag BaOmer, the Alter Rebbe writes: “Rejoice on the day of Rashbi’s celebration, because we drink from his wellsprings of Chassidus. Celebrate by singing praises to HaShem from Tehillim, and not chas veshalom by lightheaded frivolity.”
(יערות דבש ח"ב דרוש י"א, אג"ק אדה"ז ח"א ע' קי"ז)
Bows and Arrows
Why do children traditionally play with bows and arrows on Lag BaOmer? The tzaddik, Reb Mendel of Rimanov, explains that the rainbow is a sign of HaShem’s anger, and no rainbow was seen throughout the lifetime of Rashbi, for in his merit that entire generation was protected.
A further explanation is given by Reb Mendel’s holy talmid, Reb Zvi Elimelech of Dinov, who is known by the title of his sefer as the Bnei Yisaschar. It is written in the Zohar that an especially bright rainbow indicates the imminent revelation of the light of Moshiach – and since a foretaste of this light is revealed in the Zohar, we play with bows and arrows.
The Rebbe explains the connection of this custom to young talmidim of cheder age. An arrow is able to overcome an enemy even from a distance, before it comes dangerously close. This ability alludes to those activities of kedusha, such as davening and giving tzedaka, that overcome the Yetzer HoRa in advance, so that the individual is then able to study Torah undisturbed.
(בני יששכר חודש אייר מ"ג או"ד, תו"מ ח"ג ע' 77)
In a letter addressed to all children, the Rebbe writes:
On Lag BaOmer, you should assemble to speak of Rashbi and his greatness, to discuss his teachings and to firmly commit to fulfill them with joy. In addition, you should organize a parade in your area, to publicize your connection to Torah – like Rashbi, whose main occupation was studying Torah. The zechus of Rashbi will help you fulfill the Torah and its mitzvos happily, and will bring the Geula soon.
(תו"מ תשמ״ז ח"ג ע' 209)
Consider
What is the reason for the great joy on Lag BaOmer? Didn’t Rashbi pass away on this day? How did chassidim rejoice on Lag BaOmer?
