Posted on 05/07/2004 7:56:40 AM PDT by yonif
The day has been set aside by our sages as a day of commemoration of Bar Kochba's military revolt against the Romans, as well as the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai (both of the 1st-2nd centuries CE), Kabbalist and dissident in Roman-occupied Israel. According to some traditions, Lag Ba'Omer also represents the end of a period of mourning for thousands of students of Rabbi Akiva, who died in a plague at this time of year.
Israelis mark the day with community bonfires throughout the country, accompanied by food, play and song. As reported earlier this year, the government has decided to make Lag Ba'Omer a national day in honor of IDF reserve soldiers, as well.
As every year, the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai in Meiron, in the north of the country, is expected to receive more than 100,000 visitors over the course of the coming days. However, all is not in the best shape at the site, according to Haim Ben-Simol, who is responsible for tomb. Speaking with Arutz-7 on Thursday, he said that there is reason for grave concern over security arrangements for Lag Ba'Omer. While there are security guards at the location, he explained, they lack basic equipment such as metal detectors and the ability to control the flow of the anticipated crowds.
In addition, Ben-Simol told Arutz-7 on Thursday that the electricity to the site has been cut off due to the staggering NIS 70 million debt of the Holy Sites Authority. The money due to Israel Electric was to have been allocated to local authorities by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, but that entity was dissolved. At present, a generator supplies limited electricity during the day and a temporary arrangement has been made with Israel Electric permitting activation of the local grid during the nighttime hours.
Meanwhile, Magen David Adom emergency medical service officials announced this week that they are setting up a special command center near the Meiron tomb, which will operate out of three buildings. Staff will include physicians, paramedics and EMTs, as well as mobile first aid stations and other required personnel and adjuncts. Volunteers of the Jerusalem branch of the Hatzolah first-response organization have also established a command post in Meiron.
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