Spotlight: Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and the Radiance of Lag B'Omer
The life of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, though set against the backdrop of the Roman occupation and the aftermath of the destruction of the Second Temple, left an indelible mark on the Jewish tradition that is celebrated on the holiday known as Lag b'Omer.
Throughout Jewish history, certain figures emerge as guiding lights, illuminating the path for their generation, and beyond. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a Talmudic sage and mystic of the 2nd century CE, is one such luminary.
His life, though set against the backdrop of the Roman occupation and the aftermath of the destruction of the Second Temple, left an indelible mark on the Jewish tradition that is celebrated, particularly on the holiday known as Lag b'Omer.
The Aftermath
The years that followed destruction of the Second Temple cast a dark shadow over the Jewish community and would ultimately change the world in profound ways.
Many Sages began to relate their fears that the Torah would be soon forgotten in the coming years. It is worth noting that this sentiment would factor into the decision to break from tradition and begin to codify Jewish oral tradition. This decision would be the catalyst that began with the publication of the Mishnah¹, the Talmud, and a continuous stream of later writings.
However, Rabbi Shimon disagreed that the Torah would be forgotten, insisting that he would personally ensure this would never happen. This will become an underlying theme of Lag b-omer that we'll talk about shortly.
12 years, Plus 1 More in a Cave
The Talmud tells the story of Rabbi Shimon's outspokenness against the Roman empire, a crime punishable by death. In one conversation, a few Rabbis were discussing the marvels of Roman engineering and technology. Positing a few of the empire‘s ulterior motives, Rabbi Shimon said:
"Everything that they [the Romans] established, they established only for their own purposes. They established marketplaces, to place prostitutes in them; bathhouses, to pamper themselves; and bridges, to collect taxes from all who pass over them." - Shabbat 33b
Word spread of Rabbi Shimon's critique, and he fled with his son, Rabbi Elazar, spending a total of 13 years in a cave.
During that time, tradition tells us that the two spent their time studying Torah and receiving Divine revelations.
At the end of 12 years, they emerged from their cave after news that the Emperor had died. Their initial interactions with the commoners seemed to indicate that they needed a little time to reorient to life in the real world, thus returning to the cave for another year before leaving for good.
After reintegrating with the everyday people, Rabbi Shimon sought to serve the Creator and repair the world to show his gratitude for the kindness G_D showed him.
The Zohar and Divine Revelation
Rabbi Shimon's knowledge of the Torah, Jewish law, and the Midrashic tradition can be seen throughout the Talmud. But, as one of Rabbi Akiva's most prestigious students, it would be his grasp of the Sod, the mystical interpretation, that would establish his legacy. Central to this legacy is the Zohar, the cornerstone volume of Kabbalistic thought.
Today, there is some disagreement between academia and the Rabbinic tradition as to where and when the Zohar emerged. Many scholars are confident the work was a product of the Middle Ages, accepting that some sections might have existed in the early centuries.
The Rabbinic tradition maintains that the work is much older, based largely on the insights revealed by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in the second century. From that time onward, these teachings were part of a tightly guarded oral tradition that was eventually published in the Middle Ages.
In essence, both agree to the date of the publication being in the Middle Ages. To me, the main point of contention is seemingly centered on the validity and reliability of the oral tradition.
For those unfamiliar, the Zohar is a volume of work that delves into the concealed concepts of Jewish spirituality. Written in alignment with the (5) books of the Torah, the Zohar explores the dynamics of the soul², the metaphysical realms, and the interconnectedness of all creation.
The Zohar can be an extremely challenging work to read, prone to misunderstandings if one is not familiar with the foundational concepts of the Kabbalah and Jewish tradition.
It may be a shock to some, but many of the themes and ideas in the Zohar parallel teachings in the New Testament, even adding insights to some of the more confusing passages, some of which we've covered on the Hidden Orchard.
Also known by the acronym, "Rashbi", Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's revelations, delve into the nature of G_D and the intricate relationship between the Creator and humans. Thus, the Zohar serves as a guide for those seeking a deeper understanding of Jewish mysticism³ and the path to holiness.
Lag B'Omer
Lag B'Omer is a holiday that falls on the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer⁴. The name "Lag" [B'Omer] is derived from the Hebrew letters Lamed (ל) and Gimel (ג), which together represent the number 33 in the Hebrew numerical system.
The annual celebration of Lag B'Omer, which commemorates Rabbi Shimon's passing (yahrzeit), has become a pilgrimage for many religious Jews. Converging on Mount Meron in the upper Galilee region of Israel, large crowds will gather to light bonfires, dance, and sing to honor Rashbi's legacy.
In Jewish tradition, when a righteous person passes from this world, they become more [spiritually] powerful, able to bring greater blessing to the world, and particularly to those who are connected to them⁵. Thus, religious Jews take the opportunity to amplify their prayers through the merit of Rabbi Shimon and the many others who are buried in that region.
This celebration not only pays tribute to the sage himself, but also marks the continuity of Torah, and particularly the mystical revelations that he revealed in his lifetime.
Last year, I had the privilege of being in Jerusalem during Lag B'Omer. Though I plan to make it to Meron one year, the party in Jerusalem was still an exciting time.
Celebrating Lag B'Omer is not simply about Rabbi Shimon, but about the everlasting fire of Torah that continues to be revealed, burning brightly in every generation - even through the darkest of times!
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Notes:
¹ Mishnah, Produced between 100and 200CE
² The Soul
