גודל קדושת היום
The lighting of the fire in Meron
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai is commonly associated with a heavenly light, as is described in the famous liturgy 'Bar-Yochai' - "a wonderful light on high". Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai himself makes mention of this in "Idrah Zutah" (page 295) when he writes of the pillar of fire burning at the entrance to the cave near Meron.
This association is also apparent in the widespread custom of lighting fires at the burial-site in Meron, not only on Lag Ba'Omer, but also throughout the year, as is described by one of the entourage of Rabbi Chaim ben Atar, (author of the famous 'Or HaChayim') on his visit to Meron "on the top of the tombstone is a big indentation. Good quality white linen garments are taken, each person according to his means, and cut into pieces. Then they are immersed in olive oil, the indentation filled with olive oil, and then it is ignited, lighting up the whole area until Safed... one wealthy woman from Constantine sent a garment woven with silver, worth one hundred "payshash" to be set alight in honour of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai... and the Rabbi also set alight a number of garments". It seems that fires were also lit next to the grave of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and also next to that of Rabbi Yitzchak Naphcha (buried at the entrance of the courtyard) and when all three fires were lit, it looked like the whole courtyard was aflame".
Another vivid description on the fire-lighting ceremony was written by Rabbi Simchah of Zolositz, who came to Israel around 250 years ago with R. Nachman of Horodonka and R. Menachem Mendel of Premishlan. In his book 'Ahavat Zion' he writes: "and adjacent to the fire-lighting dome, next to the dome of Rabbi Shimon (bar Yochai) is a wall upon which a large vessel of oil is placed. Worn out garments of cotton or linen are put inside, and the whole area is lit up, (for Meron is situated on a mountain). Similarly, there is a place adjacent to the dome of his son Rabbi Elazar, outside on the roof, upon which fires are also lit. The firelighting is done on "Lag Ba'omer (day of the demise of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai), which is also called "Hilulah De'Rabbi Shimon".
In many of the descriptions of the fire-lighting, we find mention of valuable garments being used, and this was a subject of dispute at one stage. One of the great Sefardic Rabbis, Rabbi Refael Chazan, author of the work "Chikrei Lev", who was also the Rishon le Zion was critical of this custom, writing: "I have heard that in the holy city of Safed valuable items are burned on the day of the demise of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. I do not see any reason to permit such actions, as it seems (clear) that this is a violation of the prohibition of "Bal Taschis" (not to waste or destroy useful items)".
The response was not long in coming. Rabbi Shmuel Heller, the Rabbi of Sefad, compiled a work to refute the arguments of Rabbi Chazan, writing "We have recently received a letter from one of the great Sages of the holy city Jerusalem, who disputes and criticises the custom of Safed to burn valuable garments, because of the prohibition of 'Bal Taschit'... I have come to answer and defend the honour of the kings - namely our great master Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son Rabbi Elazar, may their merit protect us. It is clear that whatever is done in their honour, merits a very great reward, and on the contrary, I fear that those who dispute this may be punished. I give truthful testimony, that as a child I heard from the elderly Sefardic Rabbis, who heard from their fathers who witnessed the holy Rabbi Chaim ben Atar that upon arriving in Meron he greatly rejoiced, and burned valuable garments in honour of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and also the Sefardic elders here have heard and know of this".
The importance in which the fire-lighting is regarded is evident from the fact that the holy Rabbi of Roz'hin purchased, at great personal expense, the right to light the fire in Meron every year, and this has been inherited by his descendants, the Boyaner Chassidut. The Rabbi of Safed, who belongs to his circle, is honoured each year with a specially written document entitling him to kindle the fire. As the first Grand Rabbi of Sadigura said: "tens of thousands of Jewish souls achieve rectification through this fire-lighting, done in honour of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai".
As of today, the Boyaner Rebbe is honoured with the fire-lighting.
Reasons for the fire-lighting
The B'nei Yisaschar writes as follows: "It is customary to kindle many lights on the day of Lag Ba'Omer, based on the teachings of the Zohar that the light of this day lingered on and was not allowed to darken, until Rabbi Shimon gave his permission. This was to signify that all lights are secondary and subservient to the truly good light, which is a reference to the hidden secrets of the Torah, in which the hidden light of the righteous is concealed. Righteous people who comprehend these hidden secrets radiate light, which is this concealed light. Understand this. This, then, is the reason to increase light on this day.
With this, you will understand the custom to light candles and fires on this day, in honour of the light which begins to shine on this special day, the day of Lag Ba'Omer, Tov (numerical value of seventeen, literally "good") days before the festival commemerating the giving of the Torah, and in honour of the inner soul and light of the Torah which was revealed on this day and ascended on this day to the heavens on high. And this, the day of (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's) demise, we will follow his light, in honour of his holy work, the Zohar Hakadosh, which lights up the entire world... the lights up for us in our exile, until the coming of the Messiah, about whom it is written "And G-d said 'let there be light'", referring to the light of the Messiah, may he come speedily, and reveal the hidden light".
In the book "Maseh Meron" is written as follows: "Approximately half an hour after having prepared the large vessel on top of the roof, opposite the grave of the Tanna (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai), the whole congregation went up to the roof, and those who had a kerchief, blanket or head-covering of good quality threw it inside. Also everyone bought olive oil and poured it inside, in honour of the Tanna.
Then, those appointed over the fire-lighting approached with great joy and exultation, and lit an oil-soaked cloth, and threw it into the vessel. All stood and waited expectantly for the fire to begin, and with first flames emitting, a great cry of joy was heard. And it is accepted tradition that the soul of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai is present at the fire-lighting.
Souls achieve rectification through the fire-lighting ceremony
The merit and right of kindling the fire belongs to the Roz'hin-Boyan dynasty, having been purchased by the Grand Rabbi Israel Roz'hin from the Rabbis of Safed, and would send each year a silk kerchief for the fire-lighting. In the book "Mishkenos Ha'Roim" (biography of the Rozhin-Boyan dynasty) it is brought down in the name of Rabbi Abraham Jacob of Sadigura that "tens of thousands of Jewish souls achieve rectification through the fire-lighting ceremony, done in honour of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai".
Other towns in Israel
In 'Masah Meron' (in publisher's preface) it is brought down that in other towns bonfires were also lit, and that this is also a tradition in the Yeshivat HaMekubolim of Bet-El, to light many candles in honour of the holy Tanna, and after the festive meal to go to the roof and light a big fire, which lights up the whole area, to publicise the great honour of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
Also brought in 'Masah Meron' from the manuscripts of "Sha'ar Shimon" is a special prayer to be recited before the lighting ceremony: "I hereby pledge oil for lighting, for the elevation of the soul of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, may he rest in peace, so that the holy One, blessed is He, in the merit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, should save me, my wife and children from all illnesses and pain, and we should be healthy, content and tranquil, and He should save me from all sorrow and distress and all kinds of punishments which might affect the world, and we should be calm and serene. And may it be Your will, Hashem our G-d and the G-d of our fathers, that in the merit of this lighting You should grant me children, long life and wealth, and grant all of us long life".
The author of 'Mishmeret Shalom' (chapter 38) quotes his father as having instructed his foolowers to light a candle in honour of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai before the evening prayer, and advised to recite the following prayer: "I hereby kindle lights in honour of the Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The light of the righteous rejoices, the light of the wicked will be extinguished. And may the pleasantness of my Lord, our G-d, rest on us, our handiwork, established for us; our handiwork, establish it".