Moatzos Gedolei Yisrael Issue Call for Safety at Meron: ‘The Blood of 45 Kedoshim Cries Out’

As Klal Yisrael prepares for Lag Ba’omer, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah have issued a kol korei urging the public to limit their time spent at Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai’s kever in Meron.

In a rare joint letter, leading Roshei Yeshiva, Chassidishe Rebbes, and Rabbonim emphasized the importance of limiting time spent at the kever, not crowding and pushing due to a shorter say (as the hilula is on a Friday, as it was during the 2021 tragedy), adhering to instructions from event organizers, and acting with achrayus.

“Along with the tefilos, the blood of forty-five precious souls cry out to us and call for improving the roads in everything related to the ascent to Meron,” the letter states. “To try to limit everyone’s stay on the mountain to as few hours as possible, to avoid crowding and pushing, and to obey the instructions of the organizers.”

They note the ongoing pain from the terrible tragedy of 2021, when 45 neshamos were taken from Klal Yisroel in Meron during the hilula. The rabbonim call upon the tzibbur to remember that tragedy and to daven for protection.

“The shadow of the heavy disaster that occurred on Lag BaOmer 5771 does not depart from the joy in Meron… That all who come to Meron and those who return from it, may Hashem protect them from all kinds of calamities… and may He return them to their desired destination for a good life and peace,” the kol korei continued.

“Therefore, we are also familiar with the instructions given by those involved in Meron matters… especially this year, when Lag BaOmer falls on a Friday, as in 5771… try to limit everyone’s stay on the mountain to as few hours as possible, to avoid crowding and… to obey the instructions of the orderlies on duty to observe ‘and guard yourselves for yourselves.’”

Police reportedly plan to limit attendance at Meron to 63,000 people at any given moment, a spokesman for the event to The Times of Israel.