Lag b'Omer is a joyous day worldwide. Tzaddikim call it "Reb Shimon's Day." It is a day of holiness, salvation, and immense joy.
The Zohar relates that when Reb Shimon was niftar, and the levayah passed Tzipori, the people of Tzipori came out with sticks in their hands and demanded that Reb Shimon be buried in Tzipori. They hit the people who wanted to bring Reb Shimon to Meron. Miraculously, Reb Shimon’s coffin rose in the air and flew to his burial place in Meron. A bas kol announced, "Gather and celebrate the hillulah/holiday of Reb Shimon bar Yochai."
Reb Asher Zelig Margolis zt'l said that this bas kol is heard every year. It calls out to people and tells them to celebrate Lag b'Omer. The evidence that the bas kol is heard is the many people who feel drawn to celebrate this special day.
The Mishnas Chassidim writes, "It is a mitzvah to be happy on this day, the joy of Reb Shimon bar Yochai." The Chida (Moreh b'Etzba 223) writes, "Be happy in honor of Reb Shimon bar Yochai because Lag b'Omer is his hillulah, and it is known that he desired that people rejoice on this day."
The Gemara Shavuos (daf 34; and the discussion begins on daf ג"ל) states, במערבא עליה מחכו שמעון 'ר. The Chasam Sofer taught this Gemara to his students on Lag b'Omer and translated it as, "In Eretz Yisrael, people are rejoicing with Reb Shimon."
The Sar Shalom of Belz zt'l said, "Lag b'Omer is the greatest day of the year." (His son, Reb Yehoshua zt'l, immediately lowered his head and said, "Father, give me a brachah.")
Reb Moshe Rozvedover zt'l (a grandson of the Ropshitzer Rav zt'l) would tell people to come to him on Lag b'Omer, for it is a day for tefillos and salvations. He said that it is hinted in the pasuk (Tehillim 84:3) חי ל"א אל ירננו ובשרי לבי, "My heart and my flesh praise the living G-d." לבי represents בעומר ב"ל, the 32nd day of the omer. And then comes Lag b'Omer with the merit of ובשרי, roshei teivos of יוחאי בר שמעון 'ר, and then חי ל"א אל ירננו, we will praise Hashem for the salvations received on that day.
Reb Moshe Rozvedover would say that there isn't a better day in the year than Lag b'Omer. If he could, he would hold onto the sun with his teeth and not let it set, so he wouldn't have to leave Lag b'Omer.
One year, on Lag b'Omer, the Divrei Chaim had a long discussion with him about Lag b'Omer, and when they emerged from the room, Reb Moshe's face shone brightly. Reb Moshe Rozvedover said he received the secret of Lag b'Omer from the Divrei Chaim of Sanz zt'l.
The Beis Aharon writes, "Whoever believes in Reb Shimon receives chizuk from Reb Shimon. Just as Hashem is for everyone, so is Reb Shimon for everyone, even those at a low level."
