This year as well, the Hiloula (celebration of the anniversary of passing) of the Divine Tanna (Mishnaic sage) Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai took place with the participation of the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, in the presence of thousands at the central Hadlaka (bonfire lighting) organized by the 'Shuvu Banim Breslov Chassidim Union'

As is known to all, unfortunately, due to the war in our land, restrictions were placed on the Hiloula of the Rashbi (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai) at the holy site of Meron. No official lighting took place on the mountain except for three lightings on the night of the Hiloula. Therefore, the 'Shuvu Banim Breslov Chassidim Union' organized the central Hadlaka (bonfire lighting) to be held in the Holy City of Jerusalem, with the participation of thousands of the House of Israel together with the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. Upon the conclusion of the Melaveh Malkah (post-Shabbat meal) on the night following the holy Shabbat of Parshat Emor, thousands who came from all over the country to participate in the Hiloula of the Rashbi together with the Rav (Rabbi Berland) flocked to the lighting area. This area was prepared in advance by the 'Shuvu Banim Breslov Chassidim Union' along Shivtei Israel and HaChoma HaShlishit streets. The orchestra, together with the Shuvu Banim choir of young married men, began with the stirring and soul-stirring Meron melodies of "Vayehi Noam" before the flame ascended in honor of the Divine Tanna. This occurred during the pouring of the oil by the many donors who merited to donate jars of oil and the well-known segulah (spiritual remedy) of "Chai Rotel" (18 rotel of drink). We must note that this year the orchestra was organized very spontaneously, as most of the musicians merited to play and sing completely voluntarily for the merit of the Hiloula of the Divine Tanna. We will mention the names of the musicians here: the singer R' Yosef Ernesti, on the keyboards R' Natan Gudes, on the clarinet stood R' Nachman Gabbai and the youth Natan Hajbi. As in previous years, the choir of the 'Shaarei Hora'ah Kollel' (institute for advanced Torah study) also came to sing and bring joy to the Hiloula of the Rashbi. Deep into the small hours of the night, at 3:00 AM, hearts beat with excitement as the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, ascended the stage, his countenance appearing like an angel of Hashem Tzevaot (Lord of Hosts). At this point, the orchestra began the deeply moving melody "In honor of the Divine Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai..." The Rav shlit"a stepped slowly, his face red and inflamed with the fire of the Rashbi, as he poured the holy anointing oil over the bonfire. Then he held the torch and lit the flame of the Divine Tanna, which spreads its light into every Jewish heart wherever it may be. Indeed, from the moment the fire was ignited in the bonfire, like lava coming out of an erupting volcano, the thousands of people who came in droves as they do every year to the central lighting of 'Shuvu Banim' jumped and danced as one man with one heart together with the Rav, "In honor of the Divine Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai..." Ahhh, there are no words to describe the awesome feelings in those sublime and exalted minutes! From here, the orchestra continued together with the Rav shlit"a with the songs of Lag BaOmer, where no one's feet could remain still as the song 'Bar Yochai' played during the majestic event in honor of the Rashbi. After long minutes in which the Rav shlit"a signaled with his holy hand to repeat the awesome piyut (liturgical poem) again and again, the Rav shlit"a moved to the piyut 'Ve'amartem Ko L'Chai Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai'. Here, the great fire erupted; just like last year at the holy site of Meron, the Rav shlit"a began to dance and clap his hands with infinite enthusiasm and vitality. The massive crowd, seeing the Tzaddik shlit"a rejoicing and dancing with all his might for the joy of the Rashbi, did not remain indifferent. Again and again, like waves roaring in the sea, the thousands of people appeared, jumping and dancing, "His Torah is a shield for us, it enlightens our eyes, he will intercede for our good, our master Bar Yochai...!!" After about an hour of dancing with flaming fire, as the joy reached the heavens near four o'clock in the morning, the Rav shlit"a said Kaddish (sanctification prayer) and returned to his holy home.

Even afterward, the dancing continued with even greater strength and vigor. The clear feeling was written in the fire of the lighting against the sky of 'Shivtei Israel' and 'HaChoma HaShlishit' streets: although the dwelling place of the Rashbi is in the holy site of Meron, his burning spirit certainly rested this year at the central lighting of the 'Shuvu Banim Breslov Union' with the participation of over five thousand of the House of Israel under the leadership of the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

Before you is a photo gallery from the Hiloula of the Divine Tanna. Photo credit: Hitchadshut