Photo Gallery

"Meron at the site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's Kever ( the Rashbi), The "Zohar Kodesh"

Rabbi Shimon Ben Yochai was a tanna, he studied under Rabbi Akiva for 13 years. He is considered the vehicle and author that brought to the world the Zohar, the great work of Kabbalah. Reb Shimon bar Yochai protected his entire generation and it is said that while he lived a rainbow was never seen. A rainbow is considered to be a sign that the generation is worthy of great punishment. He left the world on the 18th day of Iyar, the thirty-third day of the Omer. He is buried in Meron. This day of his yartzeit (Hilulah) is considered to be one of extreme joy. On the day of his passing he reveled to his close students incredible kabbalistic teachings that are in the book of the Zohar. He requested that large bonfires be made on his yartzeit as a sign of revealed interaction between Haven and Earth. Today, when visiting Meron on LagBaOmer, Reb Shimon bar Yochai's Yartzeit (Hilulah), almost anyone's sixth sense is awakened and the air feels electrical (not of this world).

all photographs are limited editions and signed by Avrahom Dovid

all Photos are 14.5" x 10" (36.3 x 25 cm), unless otherwise stated

You may click on any picture to enlarge it

Meron # 1 - Entering the building of Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai

Same as previous - just a different day and closer up - after gate had been painted blue.

Inside the building of the tomb. This is the tomb of Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai (Rashbi).

Meron # 2 - inside the building of the tomb

Housed in the same building is the Rashbi's son, Rabbi Eliezer.

This is a closeup of Rabbi Eliezer's tomb.

Night fire # 2 - The Rashbi's face can be seen if you look carefully in the smoke from the fire.

Night fire # 3 - Lag Ba Omer the Hilulah(Yartzeit) on the roof of the Rashbi's structure

Night fire # 4 - Lag Ba Omer the Hilulah(Yartzeit) on the roof of the Rashbi's structure

Night fire # 1 - Lag Ba Omer the Hilulah(Yartzeit) on the roof of the Rashbi's structure

A spiritual moment, pouring olive oil into Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai's bonfire.
A spiritual moment, pouring olive oil into Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai's bonfire.
Gathering on Lag Ba Omer at the main entrance to Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai's kever. Tens of thousands of people visit his site every year on this festive night and day.
Idra #1 - Part of the Zohar was written at this site which is between Tzfat and Meron slightly west of the road. Idra #2 - This site is in the base of the valley below the kever site of Rabbi Tarfon.
Idra #2 Idra #2

Back to Gallery Index and Ordering Information

Back to Previous Page | Forward to Next Page

All Photos and Data Copyright Protected © Third Temple and/or Avrahom Dovid