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.
With Lag BaOmer approaching and thousands preparing to travel to the gravesite of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron, Rav Biderman emphasized the importance of forging a deep connection to the tanna elokai through the study of his teachings, especially the Zohar, even if one doesn’t fully understand the text. “Even simply reading the words,” he said, “establishes a connection.”
In the course of his derashah, Rav Meilech recounted an incredible story of an avrech who had fallen into severe debt, an overwhelming financial burden. On Lag BaOmer 5779, the man traveled to Meron and poured out his heart at the tziyun of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai. While there, he made a commitment: to study 720 pages of the Zohar over the course of the coming year.
“The sections he understood, he learned with the Masuk MiDevash commentary,” Rav Biderman explained. “As for the more esoteric parts, he simply read them.” When he reached the halfway mark—360 pages—an unexpected and massive sum of money came his way. He was able to repay all of his debts, which had been owed to various gemachim. Slowly but surely, his financial situation turned around, and by the end of that year, not only was he debt-free, but he had also put away significant savings.
“There are many such stories,” Rav Biderman said. “One can merit salvations beyond the natural order simply by taking on even a small kabbalah on this elevated day and connecting to Rabi Shimon through his Torah—the Zohar Hakadosh.”
He urged listeners not to waste even a minute of Lag BaOmer. “When a person opens a sefer Tehillim, or studies the Zohar, Rabi Shimon is with them,” he said. “Even from the moment you board the bus to Meron, start learning—Rabi Shimon will be at your side. It’s like connecting to electricity through a wire: even the smallest thread can create a connection.”
{Matzav.com Israel}