Mount Meron tragedy

Five years after Meron: Dubi Weissenstern on memory, mourning, and meaning

The head of ZAKA reflects on the lessons of the Lag Ba’omer tragedy – and what they reveal about resilience, responsibility, and the challenges facing Israel today

Dubi Weissenstern, CEO of ZAKA, ref!ects on the Meron tragedy.
View of the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on Mount Meron, northern Israel, May 1, 2024.

A responsible choice: Why canceling Lag Ba’omer at Mount Meron was the right call - editorial

 Compound 89 in Meron is seen ahead of next week’s Lag BaOmer celebrations, as police conduct an inspection tour around the tomb complex, April 26, 2026

Five years after disaster, Israel limits Lag Ba'omer celebrations on Meron amid security fears

 The real festivities begin when a huge bonfire is lit at midnight on Lag Ba'omer.

Celebrating Lag Ba’omer, a heroic chapter in Jewish history - opinion


45 dead at Mount Meron, and still no one cares - opinion

In a normal country, those responsible would have already been arrested, interrogated, indicted. In a normal country, those who allowed this to happen would have resigned or been forced from office.

Israel works to identify 44 killed in Lag Ba'omer Mount Meron stampede

Grapevine May 28, 2021: Where hatred and incitement can lead

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

A POSTER at a busy Melbourne intersection depicts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Hitler.

Mass Gerrer hassidic wedding denied permit due to safety concerns

The Jerusalem Municipal Authority says efforts being made to find a solution which complies with safety requirements, following the Meron and Givat Ze'ev disasters.

GERRER HASSIDIM at a wedding in Jerusalem.

Establish state inquiry into Mount Meron disaster now - editorial

Although such a probe would not have the authority to hand out punishment or demand dismissals, the families of the victims deserve to know what happened.

The bodies of the victims of the tragedy at Mount Meron on Lag Ba'omer.

Baby son, born to widow of Meron tragedy victim, to be named in his honor

The baby was delivered at Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital.

Ashdod's Samson Assuta Hospital.

Mount Meron: UTJ and Shas propose gov't controlled committee of enquiry

Interior Minister and Shas head Arye Deri would control appointment of chairman, and at least two other committee members, while the chief rabbis would also appoint a representative.

INTERIOR MINISTER Arye Deri attends the funeral of Abraham Ambon, one of the victims of the Meron tragedy, in Jerusalem on Monday.

Tragedy on Mount Meron: Have we learned anything?

Was it the ecstasy of being near the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai that robbed them of their basic senses?

Jewish worshippers sing and dance as they stand on tribunes at the Lag Ba’omer event on Mount Meron on April 29.

Mount Meron: Understanding the Lag Ba'omer calamity

The holiday is meant to represent the move from sorrow to joy. That’s why the Meron disaster is so ironically tragic.

An illustration of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (circa 80-160)

Letters to the Editor May 12, 2021: An Ilhan wind blows

Readers of The Jerusalem Post have their say.

Letters

Letters to the Editor May 5, 2021: Another Mother’s Day

Readers of The Jerusalem Post have their say.

Letters