Mount Meron

Reporters Notebook: Israel’s northern border amid peace and war

Despite ongoing tensions, Israel's northern border shows signs of quiet resilience as local communities resume life amid rising security threats.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Northern Israel registers peace amid the ceasefire with Hezbollah.
ULTRA-ORTHODOX JEWS walk through a forest near the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron, northern Israel, attempting to reach the Lag BaOmer celebrations after the site was closed by police following Home Front Command restrictions, May 5, 2026.

Meron rabbi arrested over serious sex-crime allegations

Four testimonies included allegations of sexual harm under spiritual authority, with alleged acts described to victims as part of a “spiritual process,” “rectification,” or “special closeness.”

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
People watch on as bonfires burn for Lag Ba'omer on May 4, 2026.

Over 20 people taken to hospital during Mt. Meron Lag Ba'omer celebration - report

Among the injured was a 50-year-old man in moderate condition who had suffered a head injury. The remaining 22 were in light condition, suffering from weakness, fainting, and light bruising.

|ByTZVI JASPER
View of the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on Mount Meron, northern Israel, May 1, 2024.

Police disperse hundreds of civilians from Mount Meron attempting to light fires for Lag Ba'omer

"We clarify that, given the security situation and the Home Front Command's instructions, staying in the mountain area without a permit constitutes a danger to the public," said the police.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN

Mount Meron: The writing was on the wall

The Jerusalem Post Podcast Episode 13 with Yaakov Katz and Lahav Harkov.

MAY 9, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
YA’ACOV LITZMAN speaks to a man during the Lag Ba’omer celebration on Mount Meron last Thursday.

After Meron, Israel needs a culture of true accountability - editorial

Zero people have had anything happen to them despite 45 people losing their lives in the greatest civilian tragedy in Israel’s 73-year history. Zero.

MAY 8, 2021ByJPOST EDITORIAL
Ultra-Orthodox Jews look at stairs with waste on it in Mount Meron, northern Israel, where fatalities were reported among the thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered at the tomb of a 2nd-century sage for annual commemorations that include all-night prayer and dance, April 30, 2021.

One week after Mount Meron, Chief of Police discusses the tragedy

In a conversation with N12, Kobi Shabtai recounts why he decided not to call for a commission of inquiry • The Police knew there were dangers and weaknesses, but couldn't do anything about it.

MAY 8, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Rabbi Avigdor HAYUT and his son Shmuel meet the Bedouin police officer, Rami Alwan, who helped save them at Mount Meron. The family was sitting shiva for Yedidyia, 13, who died in the disaster.

Mount Meron disaster: Behind the scenes of the Abu Kir investigation

HEALTH AFFAIRS: ‘They came from a big festival and suddenly, death’

MAY 8, 2021ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
NEXT OF KIN of the victims of last week’s tragedy at Mount Meron arrive at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv to identify the bodies of their loved ones.

Meron tragedy throws up questions of faith

And the most pervasive question of all: Why did God allow this to happen?

MAY 7, 2021BySTEWART WEISS
PEOPLE CELEBRATE the lighting of a bonfire on Mount Meron during Lag Ba’omer last month.

Senator Chuck Schumer to Meron mourners: 'I have deep faith in Hashem'

The families of the victims sitted for the week of shiva, the Jewish rituals of mourning during which the bereaved receives visits and attentions in the memory of the lost ones.

MAY 7, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Sen. Chuck Schumer at a news briefing with new Democratic senators at the US Capitol, Jan. 21, 2021.

The power of civic solidarity after tragedy to bring us together - opinion

The Arabs understand the pain of the ultra-Orthodox. They experience the same contempt from the police and the minister of public security.

MAY 7, 2021ByGHAIDA RINAWIE ZOABI
A CROWD at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv lights candles on Sunday for the 45 victims who died in a crush during Lag Ba’omer celebrations at Mount Meron.

Mount Meron tragedy: Night of unity, respect, helping others - opinion

Our students never blamed the police or the hassidim. They showed concern for everyone.

MAY 7, 2021ByJEFF SEIDEL
United Hatzalah medics work to help injured at Meron, April 30, 2021

Israeli couple to donate NIS 1 million to families of Meron victims

Each of the families will receive about 18,000 NIS.

MAY 7, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Nacht family, whose fund will be donating to the families of the Meron disaster

Is Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai really buried at Meron? It’s complicated

On one hand some rock cut burials dating back to the time of the Mishna are present in Meron. On the other, no archaeological evidence linking them to the Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was ever found.

MAY 7, 2021ByROSSELLA TERCATIN
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man prays outside the Tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Mt. Meron in northern Israel on May 6, 2020