A Guide to Israel
and its Holy sites
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The mountain of Meron is the highest one in the Galil. It is more then 4,000 feet high. It gets its fame on account of the many great tzaddikim buried here The large domed building is the burial place of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son Rebbe Elazar. There are also the kevorim of Hillel and Shamai, as well as their students. Up to the right is the burial place of Rebbe Yochanan Ha'sandler.
Here one can also see the remains of one of the oldest shuls in the country. It dates back to the time of the 2nd Bet Ha'mikdosh. It has three entrance gates all facing in the direction of Yerushalayim.
Thousands of people come here on the 33rd day of the Omer where they celebrate the Hilulah of Rebbi Shimon. They sing, dance, light bonfires, feast and study here. Many have the custom to give their three year old boys their first haircut at this holy spot.
