Morinu HaRav shlit"a Will Light Tonight in Jerusalem: Lag BaOmer 5786 in Emergency Format

Morinu HaRav shlit"a Will Light Tonight in Jerusalem: Lag BaOmer 5786 in Emergency Format

Update from today, Monday, 16 Iyar 5786 (May 4, 2026): Following the closure of Mount Meron by the government and the police, Morinu HaRav, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, will light the central bonfire of "Shuvu Banim" tonight on HaChoma HaShlishit Street in Jerusalem, at 10:00 PM. The lighting will take place in full coordination with the Israel Police, and the adjacent streets will be closed to vehicles during the event.

This is the tradition of Morinu HaRav shlit"a – the holiness of the Rashbi (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai) is not stopped by physical boundaries. Even when Meron is closed, the lighting will take place, the joy will take place, the segulah (spiritual remedy) of Chai Rotel will take place – because the Rashbi himself said in the Idra Zuta: "Hai yoma bechedva dili ka'im" – this day stands in my joy.

Details of the Central Lighting Tonight

Location: HaChoma HaShlishit Street, Jerusalem

Time: 10:00 PM (the night of Lag BaOmer, the eve of 17 Iyar)

Lighter: Morinu HaRav, the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

Access: Pedestrian only – adjacent streets will be closed to vehicles

Duration: From 10:00 PM until after Shacharis (morning prayer)

Please arrive early – the lighting compound is expected to fill up quickly. The lighting will be done in coordination with the police, and you must obey the instructions of the police officers on site.

Meron is Closed: Background of the Decision

Following the ongoing attacks from Lebanon on the northern settlements, a decision was made last night (Motzaei Shabbos) in the Security Cabinet to cancel the mass hilula (celebration of the yahrtzeit) in Meron this year. This morning, the Israel Police approved the decision and closed all roads to the Mount Meron area from Sunday, May 3, 2026, until Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

The Chief of Staff warned during the discussions against holding a mass event "while we are hearing sirens in the Galilee." The Home Front Command determined that it would be impossible to evacuate hundreds of thousands of participants quickly in the event of an attack. Meron is absolutely closed to the general public, and attempts to arrive on foot or through the forests are expected to be met by Border Police forces.

What About Transportation?

The Ministry of Transportation has canceled the entire designated transportation system to Meron. "Glatt Ticket" tickets purchased in advance are not valid, and details regarding refunds will be published later this week.

In Jerusalem – regular public transportation is operating. It is recommended to arrive on foot to the HaChoma HaShlishit Street compound, or to park in more distant streets and walk.

The Closure in Meron – Blocked Roads

For those who are still planning to travel to the northern region, we clarify: It will not be possible to reach the tziyun (holy gravesite) of the Rashbi this year. The blocked roads are:

Highway 89 – from the Ein Zeitim Interchange to the Sasa-Sufsufa Junction, past Hiram, Gush Halav, and the Regional Council

Highway 866 – from the Parod Junction through Dalton and up to Gush Halav

Route 886 – Meron/Dalton to Ein Zeitim

Route 85 – Chananya, Parod, Shammai

Full closure: Sunday 06:00 to Wednesday 06:00.

A Great Lesson at This Time

The holy Zohar writes: "Bizchuta dehai butzina kadisha la yit'atei alma" – in the merit of this holy lamp (Rashbi), the world will not be lost. Specifically at this time, when the Jewish people are in distress, the holiness of Rashbi is needed more than ever.

Morinu HaRav shlit"a is the holy lamp that illuminates our generation. His lighting tonight in Jerusalem will be with double and redoubled holiness: he will cry out the pain of the Jewish people before the Creator of the world, pray for peace, for the release of the hostages, for the complete healing of the wounded, and for the success of the IDF soldiers.

How You Can Be Partners

1. Attend the lighting in Jerusalem – if you are in Jerusalem or the surrounding area. HaChoma HaShlishit Street, 22:00 tonight.

2. Submit names for prayer – your name will be mentioned by the emissaries of the Rabbis during the distribution of the Chai Rotel at the lighting, and will be included in the prayer of Morinu HaRav shlit"a.

➤ To submit names and donate Chai Rotel in honor of Rashbi

3. Light a candle and partake in a seudah (festive meal) – wherever you are, say "In honor of the Godly Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai zy"a," and drink wine in honor of Rashbi.

4. Study the Torah of Rashbi – open the holy Zohar or "Idra Zuta" and read even one paragraph. This is the best time of the year.

The Idra Zuta – The Secret of the Day of Rashbi's Passing and the Reason for Joy on Lag BaOmer

The Origin of the Chai Rotel Segulah – From the Holy Arizal to Our Days

Additional Lightings in Jerusalem

HaChoma HaShlishit Street – The lighting of Morinu HaRav Berland shlit"a, 22:00 (as mentioned above)

Corner of Yirmiyahu and Shamgar Streets – The lighting of the Gaon Rabbi Elimelech Biderman shlit"a

Tower of David Complex in the Old City – "Hillula at the Tower" event with Zohar study and Andalusian music

In other Chassidic communities – Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh, Elad, Beitar, and Ashdod – local lightings are taking place. Check with the local community for exact details.

One Prayer for the Jewish People

May the merit of the Rashbi protect us and all of Israel. May the words of the Rashbi himself be fulfilled in us: "He will nullify all the decrees" – he will nullify all the harsh decrees from the people of Israel.

We will see The Rav shlit"a this evening, healthy and joyful, by the fire of the holy bonfire.

Amen.

GlattTicket Refunds and Travel to the Jerusalem Lighting

For those who have already purchased travel passes, the Ministry of Transportation has confirmed that all glattticket reservations for the canceled Meron routes will be fully refunded. Because the government officially halted the mass hilula due to the security situation in the north, passengers do not need to pay cancellation fees or contact customer service immediately. The automated glattticket system is expected to process these refunds directly to the credit cards used for the original booking over the coming weeks.

Instead of traveling north, followers of Morinu HaRav are now making urgent arrangements to reach Jerusalem for the emergency Lag BaOmer lighting. While the dedicated glattticket bus fleets will no longer be operating their traditional routes to the Galilee, regular intercity public transportation to the capital remains fully functional. Standard bus operators are reinforcing their lines heading into Jerusalem to accommodate the sudden influx of people redirecting their travel plans to join Rabbi Berland.

For members of the Shuvu Banim community arriving from outside the city, it is highly recommended to disembark at the Central Bus Station and use the light rail or local city buses to reach the HaChoma HaShlishit area. Since the streets surrounding the compound will be completely blocked off to vehicular traffic, private cars and chartered buses will not be able to drop passengers off directly at the site. Parking in the immediate vicinity will be strictly prohibited by the Israel Police to ensure pedestrian safety during the event.

Although the sudden cancellation of the traditional Meron journey may feel disappointing, Morinu HaRav has consistently taught that the spiritual light of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai transcends physical locations. By gathering together in Jerusalem with joy and unity, the community will still draw down the immense holiness of the day, transforming this emergency format into a profoundly uplifting Lag BaOmer celebration.