New rules will be governing this year’s Lag B’Omer celebration in Meron. Only a single bonfire, no stalls, kiosks, or food distribution will be allowed, and entry will be limited to ticket holders.
A year after a stampede during the Lag Ba’omer celebrations in Meron killed 45 people, the Israeli government will be instituting a list of changes for this year’s Lag B’Omer celebration.
Entry to Meron will only be permitted by purchasing travel tickets in advance which will also serve as an entry permit to the site. Those who drive to Meron in private cars will also be required to buy a ticket for the final stretch between the parking lot and the site.
Arrival at the Meron site itself will be limited to buses and designated shuttles, which will allow the police to know at any given moment how many people are at the site. Additionally, even those who purchase tickets will be allowed at the site for only a limited period of time, in accordance with the specific ticket purchased.
No stalls, kiosks, or food distribution will be allowed at the site itself on Lag B’omer. Food distribution will be permitted only at the entrance to the Meron moshav, next to the bus parking lots. Additionally, no tents will be allowed to be set up around the tzion.
There will be only one hadlakah over Lag B’Omer, which will be lit by the Boyaner Rebbe due to his long-standing tradition. As a basis of comparison, there were about 20 hadlakos at Meron last year.
At the end of Lag B’Omer, on Thursday evening, a memorial ceremony and siyum Mishnayos is scheduled to take place l’illui nishmas the 45 Meron kedoshim, for family members only. The ceremony, which has been coordinated with the relatives, will not be of a political nature and will be held in accordance with the customs of the Chareidi kahal.
The reason the Boyan Rebbe is not only due to long standing tradition, its cause the Heilige Rizhiner bought of the Zchus to light the Hadlaka years ago and the Boyan Rebbe got it Biyirusha.