The holy “Rashbi” pledged happiness and joy to all who would contribute to the happiness of the day, asking that there be ​rejoicing around his grave site.

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Children, Refuot, Shidducim, Parnassah, Sholom Bayit or any other Salvation

 

Over 500,000 visitors, men, women and children are expected to make the journey to the resting place of the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the anniversary of whose passing is on this day in Meron, in northern Israel.

 

On this day, the Children of Israel celebrate the day of the Hilula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and the end of judgment of the death of the students of Rabbi Akiva. The 33rd day of the Omer count counting of the "Sacrifice of the Omer" which was sacrificed on the holiday of Shavuot.

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Masses of people throng to the small village of Meron, no one wanting to miss the opportunity to benefit from the Z’chut (merits) available at this holy site on this holy day. With the giving of charity and the uttering of heartfelt prayers on this precious spot, they draw on the reserve of holiness and power etched in the stone and vested in the earth surrounding the resting place of Reb Shimon.

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​Countless stories of personal salvation are heard. So-and-so needed a shidduch for his daughter – and his prayers were answered; another prayed for children – and was granted his request. Yet another Jew needed a speedy recovery for his sick son – and his son recovered; another one who had not been able to provide for his family for many long years and was on the verge of despair – was suddenly asked to serve as the manager of a successful company.

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