On Lag BaOmer, a day deeply ingrained in Israel’s spiritual and national calendar, citizens gather at sites across the country — most notably at Mount Meron — to commemorate the legacy of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, one of Judaism’s most influential sages. In a year marked by heightened conflict, the painful memory of the October 7th massacre, and continued threats from Iran-backed terror networks, Rabbi Shimon’s assertion, “I have the ability to exempt the entire world from judgment,” stands as a guiding principle for both individual and collective action.
Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the Omer counting, is not only a religious festival but a reflection of deep communal values: resilience, unity, and the belief in the power of every individual to effect change. The bonfires that illuminate the night testify to a vibrant tradition that asserts light can banish darkness — a message carrying renewed urgency as Israeli society copes with trauma and the ongoing realities of war.
The Modern Relevance of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai
Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai lived in the second century CE, during an era of Roman oppression and persecution of the Jewish people. According to Talmudic tradition, he hid in a cave for thirteen years, devoting himself to study and spiritual growth, emerging as a scholar of both Jewish law and Kabbalah. His emphasis on the value of every soul and the power of repentance, mercy, and spiritual work resonates today, particularly amid Israel’s protracted struggle against Iranian-backed terror groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, and their affiliates in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
In the aftermath of the October 7th massacre—the most devastating act of antisemitic violence since the Holocaust—Israel was plunged into a new war for its survival. Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli communities, engaging in mass executions, abductions, and brutal acts of sexual violence. Thousands of Israelis were killed, wounded, or taken hostage in an operation meticulously planned and orchestrated by Iran’s proxies. The attack shocked the nation, resulting in a massive Israeli military mobilization and an urgent recommitment to the principles of national dignity, resilience, and unity.
National Responsibility Amid War and Terrorism
While Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Israel Katz, has responded with decisive military actions in Gaza and on the northern front with Lebanon, the war is not only fought on the battlefield. Iranians proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and groups operating from Syria and Yemen, continue to launch rockets, drones, and orchestrate cyberattacks targeting both military and civilian infrastructure. The Israeli Defense Forces, under Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, have positioned these defensive operations as acts of self-defense — a necessary response to relentless aggression intended to destroy the Jewish state.
Yet, as Israeli society mobilizes against a deadly coalition of enemies while battling misinformation and global antisemitism, Rabbi Shimon’s teaching reminds every citizen of their capacity—and responsibility—to dispel darkness. The doctrine that every Jew carries a spark of Rabbi Shimon infuses daily life with meaning. Volunteers distribute aid, communal organizations provide trauma relief, and ordinary people step forward as first responders. Each action, whether grand or small, is seen as a fulfillment of the principle that individual responsibility can redeem, protect, and defend.
Lag BaOmer at Meron: Faith, Tragedy, and Communal Memory
Mount Meron, the site of Rabbi Shimon’s tomb, attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims on Lag BaOmer in the largest annual religious gathering in Israel. Rituals center on lighting bonfires, singing, and studying Rabbi Shimon’s teachings—drawing strength from a sense of shared destiny. In 2021, a devastating stampede during these celebrations claimed 45 lives, the deadliest civilian disaster in Israel’s history. The tragedy deepened Israel’s reflection on the importance of communal responsibility, collective memory, and safeguarding life. Conditional on lessons learned, security measures have since been enhanced, aligning with the deeper message of Rabbi Shimon: that every life has infinite value.
The Struggle for Moral Clarity
International responses to Israel’s defensive operations, as well as the broader war against Iranian-backed terror, are often clouded by misinformation, false equivalencies, or overtly hostile propaganda. Terror groups exploit the suffering of Gaza residents, employ human shields, and divert humanitarian aid for military uses. While the Israel Defense Forces issue repeated warnings before strikes and invest heavily in minimizing civilian casualties, international organizations and some media outlets continue to misrepresent Israel’s actions, blurring the distinction between a democratic nation defending its population and terror groups pursuing genocidal aims.
Rabbi Shimon’s radical compassion — the belief in every individual’s power to improve the world — is therefore not merely an inward-looking spiritual goal, but the foundation for a national ethos. Israeli leadership often invokes this tradition in public discourse, challenging citizens to see themselves not just as subjects of history but as agents responsible for shaping its course—whether on the battlefield, in the global media, or in the daily work of care and solidarity.
Hostages, Justice, and the Ethics of Self-Defense
The ongoing hostage crisis, with more than 100 innocents still held captive by Hamas in Gaza, is a searing reminder of the moral asymmetry in the conflict. Israel’s commitment to securing the return of its citizens underscores the difference between those kidnapped and the convicted terrorists whose release has been leveraged in attempted exchanges. Israeli negotiators emphasize the unqualified innocence and legal rights of abducted residents, in contrast to the criminal responsibility of terror operatives.
This categorical distinction underpins the country’s international advocacy and informs military and diplomatic strategies, reinforcing both the humanitarian and legal basis for self-defense against terror.
The Universal Message: Every Person’s Potential
Ultimately, Lag BaOmer’s message is one of hope and agency. In a year riven by war, Israeli society draws renewed inspiration from Rabbi Shimon’s legacy. The belief that “every Jew can be a messenger — to enlighten, influence, and change” is more than an aspiration: it is the foundation of collective resilience in the face of relentless adversity.
Israeli history, marked by repeated victories against overwhelming odds, is a testament to the power of individual and communal determination. As bonfires blaze across the country on Lag BaOmer, they serve not only as memorials to the past but as beacons lighting the way forward—insisting that even a single act can lessen the darkness that afflicts the world.
Through principled reporting, memorialization of the dead, support for the survivors, and clarity of moral purpose, Israel continues to draw from its oldest traditions in facing the newest threats. Guided by the enduring wisdom of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the nation remains steadfast in its mission: to persevere, to protect, and to inspire both itself and the world.
