Following this sublime path, we will now explain the elation of Rashbi’s entourage associated with parshas Kedoshim. We are familiar with the widespread Jewish minhag to light candles and bonfires on Lag BaOmer, especially at the sacred, consecrated gravesite of the divine Tanna Rashbi in Meiron, to celebrate the day of his passing. The Bnei Yissaschar (Iyar 3, 3) suggests a wonderful rationale for this minhag; here is a translation of the passage:
It is an accepted (time-honored) Jewish minhag to light candles and bonfires on this day to signify the light—described as “tov”—that begins to shine on this special day. For, Lag BaOmer is טו"ב (17) days prior to Matan Torah. Thus, we honor the neshamah of the Torah-luminary, the holy light, that was revealed on this day. On this day, he also ascended to the heights of heaven, and it is the day on which we celebrate him. We will be guided by his light and will honor his sacred book—the Zohar—that shines from one side of the world to the other, illuminating for us the path through our galus until the arrival of our righteous Mashiach.I would like to propose a wonderful explanation for this hallowed minhag based on what our master, the Arizal, teaches us in Sha’ar Ma’amarei Rashbi (Zohar, parshas Mishpatim, 100b). Why was Rashbi afforded the privilege of revealing the mystical secrets of the Torah to the world in the Zohar hakadosh? After all, there were those among his teachers and Tannaim who preceded him whose knowledge of Toras hanistar exceeded his. It is because only tzaddikim like Rashbi, who resemble an “ohr meikif,” are capable of presenting the mysteries of the Torah in such a way that they will be understood by those who are worthy.
