As Lag Ba’omer approaches and crowds begin to ascend to Meron for the annual hilula of Rav Shimon bar Yochai, Hilula Project Coordinator Yossi Deutsch gave an in-depth interview in Hebrew to Kikar HaShabbat, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the intense preparations, major upgrades, and the unique challenges facing this year’s event, particularly the shortened time window due to it falling on Erev Shabbos. Matzav.com provides some highlights of the interview.

As concerns grow over reports that the IDF is preparing to arrest yeshiva students who failed to report to draft offices, the Rishon L’Tzion, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, issued a powerful warning: if such a crackdown is carried out, the chareidi public will have no choice but to leave Eretz Yisrael.
Speaking at an event in Bnei Brak, Rav Yosef said, “If they force us to go to the army—if they come into yeshivos and arrest bochurim—we have no right to remain here. We will all leave for abroad. We will not stay here.”

Despite the public backlash and political storm sparked by its recent enforcement operation, the IDF is now preparing for an even broader campaign targeting draft dodgers — including many from the chareidi sector — according to a report aired Wednesday evening on Kan News.
While previous operations focused on individuals who underwent initial screenings but failed to report for induction, this upcoming operation is aimed at a different group: those who never responded to their initial call-up notices. This group reportedly includes a large percentage of young chareidi men.

In a powerful and united call issued ahead of Lag BaOmer, leading gedolim — including members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel and Degel HaTorah, and the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas — are urging those who plan to travel to Meron for the hilulah of Rav Shimon bar Yochai to exercise caution, avoid overcrowding, and minimize the length of their stay on the mountain.

In honor of Lag Ba’omer, Mordy’s Shtiebel in Lakewood will be hosting a grand hadlakah on Thursday evening for the yahrtzeit of Rav Shimon bar Yochai.
The event will feature divrei hisorerus at 8:15 p.m. from Rav Dovid Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha.
Sources reveal that this may be the first time that a BMG rosh yeshiva will address a Lag Ba’omer hadlakah in Lakewood.
At 8:45 p.m., the mechiras hashemen will take place, followed by nigunei hisorerus beginning at 9:00 p.m.
The lighting of the hadlakah will be held at 9:15 p.m.
The event will be held at Mordy’s Shtiebel, located at 15 Delaware Trail, and is open to men and boys.

In an effort to allow the public to arrive calmly and safely to the highly anticipated bonfire lighting led by the renowned mashpia, Rav Meilech Biderman, organizers have announced that the event will begin at 1:30 a.m. The lighting will take place at the expanded hilula site in Meron on the night of Lag Ba’omer.
This massive hadlakah, often described as the largest in the world, draws tens of thousands of participants each year, as Rav Meilech ignites hearts and souls through his fiery devotion and stirring presence.

The 4th Adirei HaTorah event to benefit Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, NJ will take place on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Matzav.com has obtained the full pricing and logistical details for the event.
Ticket sales will open the Sunday following Lag Ba’omer, with various options available.
Ticket Pricing Options Include:

Following medical treatment in Los Angeles and a rest period in Davos, Switzerland, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Rav Yisroel Hager, is set to return to Eretz Yisroel tomorrow. His arrival will coincide with Lag Ba’omer, where he is expected to preside over the traditional hadlakah ceremony in the Vizhnitzer enclave in Bnei Brak.
Excitement is running high among tens of thousands of Vizhnitzer chassidim in both Israel and abroad upon hearing the uplifting news that the Rebbe will be returning to his residence in Kiryat Vizhnitz, Bnei Brak.
According to plans, the Rebbe—who is currently resting in the Swiss town of Davos—will board a private flight on Tuesday evening en route to Israel.

In his weekly address, the renowned mashpia, HaRav Elimelech Biderman, shared a powerful and moving account of a yungerman who experienced an extraordinary salvation after undertaking to study the Zohar Hakadosh.

In a deeply moving and joyful event that has stirred the Erlauer Chassidic community, a 60-year-old ger tzedek, Rav Yehuda Rahav, celebrated the bris of his firstborn son last week, thanks, he says, to the heartfelt bracha he received from the Erlauer Rebbe a year and a half ago.
The story began on Erev Rosh Hashanah a year and a half ago, when Rabbi Rahav and his wife visited the Rebbe of Erlau to receive a bracha. The couple, childless after decades of marriage, tearfully asked for a blessing to be granted zera shel kayama.