Today (tonight) is the celebration of the life of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Shimon son of Yochai). He is celebrated for gaining great knowledge and not keeping it to himself, but teaching it as well. He is said to have authored the famous Holy Zohar.
Its celebrated lighting everything and anything. A big bonfire. The first time I came to Israel I was afraid of this day. Little children left to create such huge fires! Now, I can't believe I actually go around enjoying them too.
Here are some pictures of the event:
The reason anything can be lit is because that synbolize that Rb.Shimon's teachings reached an all time "low" or inner part- i.e, anybody can have access to it, the highest brain to the smallest guy on the street.
Some things waiting their turn to catch fire:
3 comments:
Interesting tradition. It reminds me a bit of the guys who dance in the streets.
I guess we do some culturally interesting things here, but off hand I can't think of any.
Most of those things that seem strange center on sports, or is associated with some fraternity activity.
Thanks for this peek into Jewish culture and traditions.
The tradition makes a world of sense:
"...synbolize that Rb.Shimon's teachings reached an all time "low" or inner part- i.e, anybody can have access to it, the highest brain to the smallest guy on the street."
Kids and fires makes me nervous! Shoot adults and fires make me nervous too....
Hi Domino - Well, I can think of some. Like Halloween. Also, I would love to hear someone explaining Thanksgiving to an "outsider", just the thought makes me hungry and smiling!
Hi Faith - Yes, it is quite nerve wrecking when I think about it too much. In all my wanderings, I only saw 1 police car - it wasn't even a fire truck! lol
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