Thousands arrived for the moving Hadlakah (bonfire lighting) ceremony of Lag BaOmer 5782 with our teacher, the holy Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

The restrictions on ascending to Meron resulted in the fact that, aside from one lighting, no authorized mass Hadlakos (bonfire lightings) were held in Meron this year.

The holy Breslov community of Shuvu Banim, which customarily holds a large Hadlakah ceremony every year in honor of the soul of the holy Tanna (Mishnaic sage), Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, in Meron, moved the lighting to Jerusalem.

Photo gallery from Lag BaOmer 5782 with our teacher, the holy Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a - the Hadlakah ceremony in Jerusalem the Holy City 

The Hillula (celebration of a Tzaddik's passing) ceremony began with the Maariv (evening) prayer and Sefiras HaOmer (counting of the Omer), in the prayer plaza of our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a.

Immediately upon the conclusion of the prayer, the masses moved to the corner of Shivtei Israel and HaChoma HaShlishis streets, where the Shuvu Banim orchestra and choir were already playing, facing the stage erected in honor of the holy ceremony.

After the lighting apparatus was filled with cotton and olive oil, which the participating crowd poured in honor of the soul of Rabbi Shimon, our teacher, the holy Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, arrived.

With a precious light and a holy flame, our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a lit the oil bonfire; immediately upon the lighting, the multitude of dancers joined in dancing to the singing of the orchestra.

Our teacher the Rav shlit"a danced in circles on the stage together with his close family and the rabbis of the holy community shlit"a.

During the dancing, our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a performed the Chalaka (first haircut) ceremony for the "holy flock"—the three-year-old boys.

The proud parents ascended the stage dressed in Shabbos (Sabbath) clothes together with their children, where the Rav shlit"a awaited them.

[caption id="attachment_51077" align="alignnone" width="472"] Rabbi Eliyahu Sukkot and Rabbi Yitzchak Halperin against the backdrop of the Shuvu Banim holy community's lighting sign - Lag BaOmer 5782[/caption] [caption id="attachment_51073" align="alignnone" width="468"] The Breslov Shuvu Banim orchestra and choir - Lag BaOmer 5782 Hadlakah ceremony in Jerusalem[/caption] [caption id="attachment_51083" align="alignnone" width="488"] Rabbi Meir Ness shlit"a pours olive oil for the lighting - Lag BaOmer 5782 in Jerusalem[/caption]

The lighting held in Jerusalem with holy emotions and in the presence of thousands had to conclude toward 12:00 AM, because many of the participants ascended to Meron together with the Rav shlit"a, to the holy Tziyun (tomb) of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.

Our teacher, the holy Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a on the way to Meron - Lag BaOmer 5782

[caption id="attachment_51070" align="alignnone" width="340"] The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a in a helicopter on the way to Meron - Lag BaOmer 5782[/caption]

Our teacher, the holy Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a during the Shacharis (morning) prayer with joy and song in Meron and on the way back

[caption id="attachment_51065" align="alignnone" width="365"] The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a in a helicopter returning from the Shacharis (morning) prayer in Meron - Lag BaOmer 5782[/caption] [caption id="attachment_51066" align="alignnone" width="360"] The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a during the Shacharis (morning) prayer in Meron 5782[/caption]