Lag Ba’omer is observed as the “Hilula” of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai, following the view that this marks the day of his passing. Already the Arizal (Rav Yishak Luria, 1534-1572) noted the custom to visit Rabbi Shimon’s grave on Mount Meron in northern Israel on this day. The concept underlying the observance of a “Hilula” is that we draw from the Kedusha (sanctity) of the Sadik. A “Hilula” offers us the precious opportunity to receive at least some of the spiritual greatness of the giant whose memory and whose soul we seek to connect to and bond with. On Lag Ba’omer, we try to connect to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai in order to absorb some element of his unique, outstanding qualities. It behooves us, then, to learn some of what Rabbi Shimon stands for, the particular Middot (characteristics) that he embodied, so we can gain inspiration and develop these qualities within ourselves. The Gemara in Masechet Berachot (35b) famously brings Rabbi Shimon’s view that one should devote himself entirely to Torah learning, and rely on G-d to provide his needs. This is in contrast to the opinion of Rabbi Yishmael, that the proper approach is “Hanheg Bahem Middat Derech Eretz” – to live normally, to work for a living, while of course setting aside significant amounts of time for Torah study. The Gemara concludes its discussion by noting, “Many acted in accordance with Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai, and did not succeed.” Meaning, for the vast majority of people, Rabbi Shimon’s approach is not appropriate; devoting oneself exclusively to Torah, without pursuing a livelihood, requires an exalted level of Bitahon – trust in Hashem – that most people never achieve. Rabbi Shimon’s view is not rejected, but rather applicable only to the spiritual elite, to those select individuals with wholehearted, genuine faith in Hashem’s ability to provide. It was this quality of Rabbi Shimon that enabled him to live with his son for thirteen years in a cave, without any food or water. As the Gemara famously tells (Shabbat 33b), Rabbi Shimon fled from the Roman authorities with his son, and they hid inside a cave, where they were miraculously sustained by a carob tree and brook of water. This was Rabbi Shimon’s outstanding quality – absolute faith in Hashem’s ability to provide, the keen awareness that our sustenance depends solely on G-d, and not on our hard work and efforts. Accordingly, Lag Ba’omer is an occasion for us to draw from Rabbi Shimon’s lofty levels of Bitahon. Of course, as mentioned, Rabbi Shimon’s practical prescription for life is not suitable for the vast majority of us. Nevertheless, we can - and must - strive to heighten our trust in Hashem, our firm belief that Hashem provides us with our needs, irrespective of the work we invest. Although we are to meet our obligation of Hishtadlut (effort) by working for a living, we must recognize that the outcome depends solely on G-d, and that He is always caring for us. Fascinatingly enough, this aspect of Lag Ba’omer actually predates Rabbi Shimon, by many generations. The Hatam Sofer (Rav Moshe Sofer of Pressburg, 1762-1839) writes that it was on Lag Ba’omer when the manna fell for the very first time. Beneh Yisrael left Egypt on the 15 th of Nissan, the first day of Pesach, bringing with them a month’s worth of food provisions. These provisions were depleted in the middle of the next month, Iyar, and several days later, on the 18 th of Iyar – Lag Ba’omer – G-d responded to the people’s cries by providing them with manna. Quite appropriately, then, Lag Ba’omer is also the day when we remember, honor, and connect with the figure of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai, the bastion of Bitahon, who lived with a keen awareness of how all our food is “manna,” that it is Hashem who gives us everything we need. So much of the anxiety and stress that people live with can be alleviated through Bitahon, by firmly believing in Hashem’s infinite capabilities to provide us, and in His boundless love for us. People worry and fret over their finances because they wrongly assume that they know what needs to happen for their Parnasa (livelihood) to arrive. They think that their Parnasa depends on this job, on that client, that customer, that deal, or that promotion. Once we realize that everything we have is manna, coming to us directly from Hashem, we would no longer worry about any of this. Certainly, we must live responsibly and do our Hishtadlut as required. But once we do, we can put all our worries and concerns to rest, because Hashem is caring for us, often in ways that we never imagined and could never have imagined. His abilities are unlimited, so we never have any reason to worry. Let us take advantage of Lag Ba’omer, this special day of Bitahon, to draw from the great faith of Rabbi Shimon, so we can live with the peace of mind and serenity that we desire.