Miracles of Meron
Miracles in Meron
The kabbalist Rabbi Asher Zelig Margulies writes in his book "Hilulah De'Rashbi (page 52): "The acts of G-d I will relate. Around twenty years ago, the G-dly kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Saul Davik received a letter from the Diaspora, requesting assistance, as the local ruler was causing trouble for the Jews. Rabbi Davik travelled to Meron with twenty of his disciples, remaining there for five days, each day circling the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai holding the four species used that Sukkot. Upon returning to Jerusalem, a telegram was waiting, relaying the glad tidings that the wicked ruler had met a sudden death. The Jews greatly rejoiced and celebrated the miraculous deliverance from their enemies.
Miracles of Chai-Rotel
In 'Tal Jerusalem' Rabbi Y.L. Harinstein (one of the sages of Jerusalem 100 years ago) writes: I myself witnessed two people who had large amounts of drink, and asked everyone to partake. I inquired what the reason for this was, and they related that both were childless, one for fourteen years, and one for ten years. When coming to Meron they called out so that all could hear, "I hereby pledge eighteen rotel of drink in honour of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and in this merit I ask to be granted a son within the year". Both were indeed granted their wish, and now, after three years they returned for the hair-cutting ceremony, and to fulfill their vow. This I heard from them myself.
And whoever is in Meron can clearly feel that the great joy comes in the merit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai".
Rescucitation of the dead
cAn amazing story is recounted in "Hilulah De'Rashbi" (pg. 63): "I personally witnessed a miraculous and wondrous event in Meron, Lag Ba'Omer 5683 (1923). On Shabbat morning, after concluding the Mussaf prayer, a great tumult was heard. One of the Sefardic children, whose mother had pledged to do the first hair-cut in Meron, as is customary. She brought him alone, as his father was unable to come. Suddenly, the child became unwell, contracting the deadly cholera disease, and died. The body was placed in one of the adjoining rooms, and the doctors instructed the whole gathering to remain in quarantine for a few days, as was the law in Sefad at the time. Pandemonium broke out, with people trying to escape to the nearby fields, only to be turned back by the authorities. But above all, the weeping and wails of the bereaved mother could be heard, her great joy having been turned into tragedy.
I myself saw the child, lying lifeless in the room, and we were greatly pained by the terrible calamity. We could not even bring ourselves to recite Kiddush and partake of the Shabbat meal. Suddenly, the mother rose to her feet and determinedly took her child to the synagouge adjacent to the tombstone, and in a heartrending voice began crying and shrieking "Oh, righteous one, righteous one, Rabbi Shimon, your maidservant came here in your honour to give her firstborn son his first haircut. With this, I fulfilled my vow. Yesterday, we performed the hair-cut with joy and dancing. Now, how can I return home in shame and disgrace, without my child".
Her cries were heard in the entire courtyard, and pierced the heart of all present. Then the women rose and said, "Righteous one, righteous one, I now place him in front of you. I beg of you, do not shame me, and do not turn me away empty-handed. Give him back to me alive and healthy, as I brought him here, and I will sanctify the name of heaven and your name in the world, and all will know that G-d judges the world".
The syngagoue was then closed, and none remained, besides the dead child. After a few minutes, a voice was heard from within. The child was calling for his mother "Please, bring me some water, I am thirsty". A big tumult erupted, and all gathered to see the miracle. The doctors also checked the child, and agreed that this was a miraculous event, with no natural explanation. The quarantine order was annulled and the name of G-d was sanctified a truly great way.
The sick are healed
The following is an excerpt from the book "Gedulat Joshua". One year, a famous millionaire paid ten thousand "Zehubim", an astronomical amount of money, for the right to kindle the fire. The massive crowd then began to dance and sing, in their great fervor not taking notice of the tremendous pressure. The millionaire, who was standing on the roof, was inadvertently pushed and fell down to the courtyard, breaking both legs. His fall, however, went unnoticed by the crowd above, which was completely taken up by the celebrations. He lay there, writhing in pain, till someone walking through the courtyard hard him calling for assistance. He lifted the injured man into one of the adjancent rooms and went to call a doctor. Meron of those times, however, did not have a single doctor, and the only option was to travel by horse and cart to the neighbouring village, which took many hours, and when they finally returned to Meron, it was already well into the night. Upon entering the room, they were startled to see it totally empty. They anxiously began searching for the patient, only to find him, to their utter amazment, dancing enthusiastically in the middle of the crowd. Pulling him over to the side they asked what had transpired, "I was laying on the floor, unable to move", he told them. "Suddenly the holy Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, appeared, and said: Great happiness came about through you today, in my honor. Therefore it is my obligation to make you happy and to heal you". He then placed his holy hands on my broken legs. Immediately I was totally cured, and stood on my feet, joining the crowd dancing in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.