Thousands Ascend to Rabbi Ashlag's Tomb for Annual Commemoration

Thousands of followers and the general public ascended to the tomb of Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag, known as the Baal HaSulam, on Mount of Rest in Jerusalem during the night of Friday and the commemoration days. The central pilgrimage began Thursday evening and continued through the night, with large crowds gathering to pray for spiritual and material salvation at the site, considered auspicious.

The commemoration, marking the anniversary of the Baal HaSulam's passing, saw many attendees take upon themselves positive resolutions and pray for mercy. At midnight on Friday, the current Rebbe of Ashlag, Rabbi Shlomo Baruch Ashlag, known as the 'Bnei Heichala', led a ceremony concluding the study of the Zohar, a foundational Kabbalistic text, by students of a Kollel (study group) founded by the Baal HaSulam at the Cave of the Patriarchs.

Preparations for the pilgrimage included improved access roads, signage, and special lighting around the tomb. Light refreshments were served, and special transportation services were organized from across the country to accommodate the visitors. In recent years, visiting the Baal HaSulam's tomb has become a widespread custom, with many taking upon themselves resolutions related to interpersonal relationships and kindness to others as a spiritual practice.

This year's commemoration also highlighted the expansion of the Baal HaSulam's teachings. Recently, a new edition of the Zohar, titled "Bnei Heichala" and based on the Baal HaSulam's methodology, was published. It was written by his great-grandson, the current Rebbe, and is slated to be released in 13 volumes under the supervision of Rabbi Eliyahu Yisrael Ashlag.