Lag B’Omer Fun Overshadowed By Dispute

While most people dance and sing to celebrate Lag B’Omer, some are deadlocked in a battle over control of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai’s kever (grave).

The battle is between two groups, one Shephardi and one Ashkenazi. The groups argue that they each have a right to 100% control of the kever and surrounding building. The building, which has been rundown over the years, is a potential safety concern to the 500,000 visitors to the site each Lag B’Omer.

Money has been donated for renovations, but is locked until the dispute is settled or an agreement of some sort can be reached.

The Kever, located in Moshav Meron, is the second most visited religious Jewish site in Israel, according to the Israeli government office in charge of Holy and Religious sites.