Every year as Lag BaOmer approaches, thousands of people journey to Meron in northern Israel to celebrate the legacy of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. They gather around massive bonfires, singing and dancing in honor of this second-century Talmudic sage. Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer between Passover and Shavuot (Feast of Weeks), marks the anniversary of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s death. But who was Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and why does his story resonate so powerfully even today?
The Talmud tells us a remarkable story about Rabbi Shimon. During the Roman occupation of Israel, he criticized the Roman authorities, who subsequently sentenced him to death. To escape, Rabbi Shimon and his son, Rabbi Elazar, fled to a remote cave where they spent twelve years in hiding.
In their isolation, they devoted themselves entirely to Torah study and prayer, sustained only by a miraculous spring of water and a carob tree. Their spiritual immersion was complete—every moment dedicated to connecting with the divine wisdom.
When Elijah the prophet finally informed them it was safe to leave, they emerged as transformed men. But their transformation was not what one might expect.
As they stepped back into the world, Rabbi Shimon and his son were horrified by what they saw: people farming fields, engaged in what they considered mundane labor.
“These people are abandoning eternal life for the temporary life of this world!” Rabbi Shimon cried out. “They’re setting aside Torah study for worthless, earthly pursuits!”
His judgment was so severe that wherever Rabbi Shimon and his son looked, the objects of their gaze burst into flames. Their spiritual intensity, rather than enlightening the world, was destroying it.
A voice from Heaven called out: “Did you come out to destroy My world? Return to your cave!”
The divine rebuke sent them back into isolation for another year.
When they finally emerged again, something had changed—at least for Rabbi Shimon. His son still viewed the world with the same burning judgment, damaging everything he looked upon. But Rabbi Shimon followed behind, healing what his son had harmed.
“My son,” Rabbi Shimon said, “you and I—we’re enough for the world.”
This cryptic statement marked a shift in Rabbi Shimon’s perspective. He had found a way to remain true to his values while allowing others to exist differently—a begrudging tolerance, if not yet true acceptance.
The story concludes with a beautiful encounter. As Shabbat approached, Rabbi Shimon and his son observed an elderly man rushing with two bundles of myrtle branches. Curious, they asked why he needed them.
“They are in honor of Shabbat,” the man explained.
“Wouldn’t one bundle be enough?” they inquired.
“One bundle corresponds to ‘Zachor’ (remember Shabbat), and the other to ‘Shamor’ (guard Shabbat),” he replied, referencing the dual command from the Torah.
This answer touched Rabbi Shimon deeply. “Look how beloved the commandments are to the children of Israel,” he told his son. Finally, their hearts were at peace.
This Talmudic story reveals the evolution of a great sage. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s journey wasn’t just from physical hiding to reemergence, but from spiritual isolation to genuine connection.
Initially, his intense devotion to Torah made him intolerant of different paths. His binary worldview—seeing only perfect devotion or complete failure—left no room for the diverse ways people might serve God.
The Book of Leviticus teaches us:
These foundational verses, the ending of which Rabbi Akiva—Rabbi Shimon’s own teacher—declared to be a great principle of the Torah, encapsulate the journey that Rabbi Shimon eventually completed. It reminds us that at the heart of all Torah wisdom lies the commandment to extend to others the same respect and love we desire for ourselves.
Rabbi Shimon’s greatness ultimately lay not just in his Torah knowledge or devotion, but in his ability to grow beyond judgment and learn to appreciate others’ genuine expressions of faith. He discovered that the elderly man with his myrtle branches was also serving God, just through a different path.
Lag BaOmer marks not only Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s death but also the end of a plague that, according to tradition, took the lives of 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva because “they failed to show each other respect.” The celebration of Rabbi Shimon’s legacy is particularly fitting, as his story exemplifies the journey from rigid judgment to respectful understanding.
When we encounter those whose worldviews differ radically from our own, we face the same choice as Rabbi Shimon. Will we condemn from afar? Will we merely tolerate with detachment? Or will we engage with curiosity, listen to understand, and perhaps discover the unexpected beauty in different expressions of shared values?
Our world remains deeply divided by conflicting perspectives. Rabbi Shimon’s journey teaches us that even when we believe we possess absolute truth, there is still room to respect others, to ask questions before condemning, and to recognize that the divine purpose may be fulfilled in ways we hadn’t imagined.
The true flame we should carry from Rabbi Shimon’s story isn’t one that burns away what we disagree with, but rather the warm light that illuminates our shared humanity—allowing us to see and respect the divine spark in those who walk a different path.
—————————————————————————————————————————–
In the spirit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s journey, Israel365 invites you to join our “Be a Light for Israel” campaign. We are working to build bridges between Jews and Christians, moving beyond disagreements and misunderstandings to work together in supporting Israel and spreading light to the world. Just as Rabbi Shimon learned to see the beauty in different expressions of faith, we too can unite in our shared values and become a powerful force for good. Together, we can illuminate the path forward with the warm light of mutual respect and cooperation.
Support Israel365’s campaign, and help spread warmth, connection, and hope in these challenging times. Be a Light for Israel Today!
