Thousands Visit Tomb of Rabbi Ashlag for Annual Commemoration

Thousands of followers gathered at the Har HaMenuchot cemetery in Jerusalem to commemorate the yahrzeit (anniversary of death) of Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag, known as the Baal HaSulam, a prominent Kabbalist.

The central pilgrimage began Thursday evening and continued through the night, with large crowds visiting his tomb to pray for spiritual and material salvation. Many attendees made resolutions for self-improvement and offered prayers for mercy during the preparations for the holy day.

At midnight on Friday, the Rebbe of Ashlag, author of "Bnei Hichla," visited the tomb and conducted a ceremony concluding the study of the Zohar, a foundational Kabbalistic text. This study was undertaken by students of a Kollel (Torah study group) founded by the Baal HaSulam at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.

To accommodate the large number of pilgrims, roads near the tomb were improved, directional signs were installed, and special lighting was provided for nighttime. Light refreshments were served, and transportation services, including special buses from across the country, were enhanced.

In recent years, visiting the Baal HaSulam's tomb has become a widespread custom, with a popular practice being to make a resolution at the site for improved interpersonal relationships and kindness to others, believed to bring supernatural salvation. This year's commemoration also focused on expanding the dissemination of the Baal HaSulam's teachings. A new edition of "Bnei Hichla," based on the Baal HaSulam's method and written by his great-grandson, the Rebbe of Ashlag, is set to be published in 13 volumes. This edition aims to make the study of the Zohar more accessible, featuring explanations, teachings from Kabbalists, and sections dedicated to the writings of Rabbi Isaac Luria.

The publication joins other initiatives by the "Bnei Hichla" organization aimed at spreading the Baal HaSulam's teachings, including study groups and a hotline offering lessons from prominent rabbis and Kabbalists.