About 'Ohel Ha'Rashbi-Meron'
The beginning:
'Ohel Ha'Rashbi-Meron' was officially established in 1994 by Rabbi Shraga Shnitzler. The word 'officially' is used intentionally, for in reality, already many years previously, the foundations were laid by Rabbi Shnitzler's great father, R' Joshua. A resident of Meron, he invested great effort to upkeep and renovate this holy site, from the year '48 until his passing.
His son, R'Shraga assisted him in this holy work from his youth. In fact, R'Shraga himself merited a miraculous recovery in Meron at the tender age of 3. He had contracted a deadly illness for which the doctors had no cure. After having explored all the options to no avail, R' Joshua decided to take his child to Meron, declaring confidently, "Rabbi Shimon's merit is sufficiently great to stand by us in our time of need". Wrapping the little infant in warm blankets he made his way to Meron, the neighbours looking on pityingly. To the amazement of all, the baby made a miraculous recovery. And, due to this, to this day we are fortunate to benefit from R'Shraga's tireless and devoted efforts for all who come to Meron.
This should suffice to appreciate R'Shraga's total devotion to his holy mission. Whether it is offering food and drink to the thousands who come to pour out their heart in Meron, or the developing and renovating of the many facilities, besides the daily upkeep, this had all been the focal point of R'Shraga's life for a good twenty years prior to the organisation's 'official' establishment.
When R'Shraga saw that it would be beneficial to open an official organisation, he wasted no time, and 'Ohel Ha'Rasbi - Meron' came into being. The organisation's activities include, among other things, a 'visitor's-room' in which refreshments are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This room was already functioning in the days of the Arizal 400 years ago, as is mentioned in 'Ahavat Zion', and the organisation is proud to have the great merit of continuing this sacred tradition.
In addition, the organisation arranges meals for the visitors, including Shabbat meals for those who register in advance. (This is done by contacting 03-5784413). This service is all-inclusive, providing everything from napkins and disposable dishes to fish and meat and other delicacies. Kiddush after the Shabbat morning prayers is also served to the hundreds of congregants, and 'Seudah-Shlishit' on Shabbat afternoon and 'Melave Malkah' after Shabbat ends. Also, Rosh-Chodesh celebrations which include a festive meal for all present, are provided monthly.
Of course, the crowning event of all the activities is the Lag Ba'Omer celebration. Preparations for this huge event begin as early as Kislev (December), planning meals and light refreshments for the tens of thousands of visitors. 100'000 sandwiches are prepared for the enormous crowd, with a similar amount of cakes being served throughout the day and night. Literally tens of thousands of litres of drinks are distributed, carrying the 'Segulah' of 'Chai Rotel'. It is truly heartwarming to see throngs of Jews from all different circles and backgrounds praying and dancing together with such unity. Needless to say, seperation between men and women is strictly enforced.
No less important is the organisation's weekly distribution of boxes of food and other basic necessities to people in need. Additionally, assistance is given to those marrying off children. All this is done in a discreet manner, so as not to cause any embarassment to the recipients.
R'Shraga personally oversees all these numerous projects, ably assisted by his devoted staff. His motto "Ohel-Rasbi, one for all" is particularly apt ; 'Ohel Rashbi' is truly a home for every single Jew.
“Beit HaTavshil” – where food is cooked for the guests in the courtyard of the gravesite in Meron, established by the Arizal:
Even in the midst of all the tumult and excitement, it is impossible not to notice an astounding phenomenon taking place: A large group of volunteers stands and distributes an enormous amount of sandwiches, nosh, and drinks of all kinds, absolutely free of charge
The Ohel HaRashbi organization, directed by Rabbi Shraga Schnitzer, shlita, has become an inseparable part of the scenery in Meron. It was founded many years ago by the holy Arizal, zy”a, in the year 5331, when his holy disciple, Rabbi Avraham Galanti, zy”a, funded the construction of the building which stands on top of the grave. At that time he dedicated certain spots of the courtyard specifically for preparing food for the people who come every year. It is in that very place that the Beit Hatavshil exists still today– prepared to serve all visitors with an abundance of food.
Ohel HaRashbi – The Activities of its Volunteers
The Ohel HaRashbi organization is made up of more than one hundred volunteers who work tirelessly on its behalf. These wonderful people leave their homes and families and work around the clock throughout most of the year to tend to the needs of those who come up to Meron. The dedicated volunteers haul an enormous amount of boxes of food and drink and stand on their feet for hours at a time distributing meals and drink to the large crowds of people.
Chessed throughout the Year
Much can be written about the marvelous chessed that the Ohel HaRashbi organization performs throughout the year. The organization operates all day, every day, distributing food, drinks and refreshments. They also distribute pre-packaged meals to organized groups and hundreds of families who come up to Meron to spend Shabbos or Yom Tov at the gravesite of Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai.
The Lag Ba’omer Project
The day of the yahrtzeit is in essence the organization’s highlight. The amount of food that is distributed reaches astronomic proportions: approximately 50,000 sandwiches, hundreds of salads, thousands of portions of fish, chicken and cold cuts, 5 tons of cakes and cookies, thousands of portions of cholent and kugel, enormous pots of an assortment of soups, more than 100,000 bottles of drinks, tens of thousands of liters of grape juice, tens of thousands of liters of milk… All this besides an unlimited amount of coffee and tea available throughout the day.
The organization sets up its distribution points in various spots – in the courtyard and along the path leading to the kever. This is all arranged especially for the one day of Lag Ba’omer. Enormous tents are put up where people are invited to eat – men and women separately, and of course, free of charge.
Indeed, it is a colossal project which requires much preparation weeks before the big day. No effort or expense is spared to ensure that the people coming up to the kever of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai have anything that they could possibly need.
The Chai Rotel
Chai Rotel – 18 Rotel (a liquid measurement) – the distribution of approx. 54 liters of drink in Meron is a chapter within itself. There is a well-known tradition that distributing Chai Rotel of drink at Rashbi’s kever has the power to bring about yeshuos. This segulah has recently become very popular.
Beit Hatashvil of the Ohel HaRashbi has undertaken to assist those in need of yeshuos. Its volunteers distribute the drinks on behalf of those who request it.
Rabbi Shraga Schnitzer, shlita, the organization’s dedicated director, is personal witness to hundreds of open miracles that came about in merit of this wonderful segulah and in the holy zechus of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai, zy”a. Couples who have been childless for years and were on the brink of despair merited to have children, people stricken with deadly illnesses were cured, older singles merited finding their zivug, people who were unemployed found jobs to support their families, among many other yeshuos.
Other Activities throughout the Year
Besides the distribution of enormous amounts of food, drink and Chai Rotel, Ohel HaRashbi has undertaken the great task of providing any other services the public might possibly require. A medical team is available on site to provide assistance for any emergency. The public can also make use of a wide range of medicines, creams, ointments, bandages, etc…, which can be found at the various posts set up by Ohel HaRashbi.
In addition, the organization provides olive oil and candles so that people can partake in the lighting above the holy gravesite. They may also pour the oil into the bonfire. For those people who are unable to arrive in person on Lag Ba’omer, or for people living overseas, the Ohel HaRashbi volunteers are available to perform these tasks in their stead. Throughout the year they are also available to light candles upon request.
Seforim and Sifrei Torah: Ohel HaRashbi provides seforim such as siddurim, tehillim, chumashim, zohar… as well as Sifrei Torah. Approximately twenty years ago a new Sefer Torah was given to Ohel HaRashbi to take the place of several Sifrei Torah which were very old and became passul. A Sefer Torah that is donated is brought in with great ceremony, attended by distinguished rabbanim and public officials. At this time the organization is appealing to the public to partake in the writing of a new Sefer Torah. Anyone interested in purchasing a column or line should contact Ohel HaRashbi – Meron.
Moreover, Ohel HaRashbi prints and distributes “Ohr HaMuflah” booklets which contain passages pertaining to Lag Ba’omer and Rabi Shimon bar Yochai as well as chapters from the Zohar and well-known Lag Ba’omer songs.
Ohel HaRashbi has also produced a special pocket-sized siddur containing the necessary prayers for everyday and for Shabbos, including segulos and Lag Ba’omer songs.
Notes and Requests
In the framework of a service provided by Ohel HaRashbi called “Notes and Requests”, hundreds of people send in notes on which their request for a yeshuah is written. These notes are read on Lag Ba’omer by a group of G-d fearing talmidei chachamim after reciting the entire sefer tehillim near the holy gravesite of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai, zy”a. The names of these people are mentioned in an emotional prayer to merit a speedy yeshuah.
Ohel HaRashbi Chessed Activities
A summarized list of various other services provided by Ohel HaRashbi:
Seudos: Ohel HaRashbi arranges seudos for those who are in need of a yeshuah, as well as ‘seudas ani’im’ – seudos for the poor, throughout the year. This is a segulah to merit finding a marriage partner, having children, shalom bayis, recovery from illness and even in general, to merit blessing and success. In addition, seudos in honor of a simchah or a seudas hoda’ah can be arranged by the volunteers as well.
Orchestra: Ohel HaRashbi arranges an orchestra to play on Lag Ba’omer as well as on the 7th of Adar - the yahrtzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu. The band plays the ancient Meron songs as well as famous songs which are well known to the public.
Tehillim Shifts: A group of avreichim is assigned to say tehillim in shifts throughout the day so that the entire sefer tehillim is completed every single day in order to arouse Heavenly mercy upon the Jews.
Learning Mishnayos and Zohar: Upstanding avreichim are available to learn at the gravesite. This can be arranged as a zechus on a yahrtzeit and a ner neshamah can be lit on the deceased person’s behalf.
Kimcha D’Pischa: Food packages containing necessities for Yom Tov are distributed to needy families. Tens of thousands of dollars are invested in these packages.
Simchah Support: Ohel HaRashbi arranges simchos such as a bris, bar mitzvah, wedding for families of bnei Torah or for any family struggling financially.
Shabbos Support: Shabbos food is distributed for families in need.
Publications: The organization publishes and distributes pamphlets and booklets about the greatness of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai, his divrei Torah, as well as articles increasing public awareness about the importance of coming up to pray in Meron.
Be a Partner
As one may well imagine, sustaining an organization such as Ohel HaRashbi requires astronomical funds. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are needed in order to provide all the services mentioned above. The organization receives no government support and subsists entirely by donations. The entire responsibility of running the organization rests solely upon one man’s shoulders. At this point we are calling out to all those who realize the importance of taking part in the mitzvah of hachnosas orchim, which takes place on a daily basis in Meron, to lend their support on behalf of this great mitzvah.
You can now be a partner in all the chessed performed by Ohel HaRashbi. In the zechus of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai, those who donate generously to this cause are sure to receive an abundance of brachah.
