Shimon Bar Yochai
Alternative festivities to be held at ancient Shiloh in Samaria, site of the biblical Tabernacle.
Still, two years after a deadly stampede at the pilgrimage site, ushers allowed early arrivals entry without checking for tickets.
For some communities, the celebration of Jewish unity takes on special meaning this year with war raging in Ukraine.
The Supreme Court ruled that the state has the right to destroy six structures built illegally in the area around the gravesite.
“There were bodies piled up on top of each other—some of the people were alive, and some of them were already dead. I have never seen anything like this before,” said Itzik Itach, a senior volunteer paramedic and logistics director of the Jerusalem area for Rescuers Without Borders.
“We pray for the recovery of those injured and mourn for the families who lost loved ones,” said the American Jewish Committee. “May their memories be a blessing.”
At least 45 people were confirmed dead and 150 injured, with dozens in serious condition.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan: “We offer condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones in this disaster, and wish a full and swift recovery to those injured.”
More than 100,000 religious Jews had gathered to mark the holiday at the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai as part of an annual tradition.
The discovery of the coin, said to be the only one from the era bearing the name “Jerusalem” to have been discovered in the ancient city, was announced in honor of the upcoming Lag B’Omer holiday.
On tap are videos, stories, songs, concerts, online parades and drive-by barbecues.
The Galilean town of Meron welcomes massive crowds to the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the father of Jewish mysticism.
