The broadcast will start automatically when the lighting goes live.
Watch Live: The Lighting by Rabbi Berland shlit"a in Jerusalem
Tonight, Monday, 16 Iyar 5786 (May 4, 2026), at 10:00 PM, our teacher, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, will light the central bonfire of Shuvu Banim on HaChoma HaShlishit Street in Jerusalem, following the closure of Mount Meron by the police. The lighting will be broadcast live here on the site.
The broadcast will begin automatically when the lighting goes live.
Schedule for the Evening
10:00 PM – Opening, melodies of spiritual awakening, and preparation for the lighting ceremony.
Around 10:30 PM – Lighting of the central bonfire by Rabbi Berland shlit"a.
After the lighting – Lag BaOmer melodies, holy dancing, and prayers for salvation.
The custom of shooting arrows – Jewish children will shoot bows and arrows in memory of the Rashbi (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai), as cited in the Bnei Yissaschar and in Jewish tradition throughout the generations.
Distribution of Chai Rotel – Rabbinic emissaries will distribute wine, grape juice, and water on behalf of those who submitted their names.
Vatikin Shacharis prayer (sunrise morning prayer) – After dawn, around 4:30 AM.
The Spiritual Power of Shooting Arrows
The Bnei Yissaschar (Month of Iyar, Ma'amar 3) explains: "Therefore, schoolchildren have the custom on the day of Lag BaOmer to shoot arrows with a bow, as a remembrance of the fact that the rainbow was not seen in his days." We have a tradition: Throughout all the days of the Rashbi's life, the rainbow in the cloud—which is the sign of the covenant that prevents a flood from destroying the world—was never seen, because the merit of the Rashbi protected the generation. The shooting of arrows by the children on the night of Lag BaOmer is a remembrance and continuation of that merit: to nullify harsh decrees, to protect the generation, and to invoke the power of the tzaddik in whose merit the world exists.
Tonight, the children of Shuvu Banim will fulfill this custom in Jerusalem as well, and you can encourage your children to do the same wherever you are, accompanied by Rabbi Berland shlit"a in the live broadcast.
How You Can Participate from Home
Watch the live broadcast on this page. The broadcast will start automatically when the lighting goes live.
Light a candle in honor of the Rashbi in your home, and say, "In honor of the Godly Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, zy"a (may his merit protect us)."
Drink a cup of wine or grape juice at the time of the lighting and pray for salvation.
Submit names for prayer during the Chai Rotel ceremony. Rabbinic emissaries will read your name aloud while distributing the drinks, and your name will be included in the prayers of Rabbi Berland shlit"a.
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