To put it in perspective the logistics involve over 500000 visitors 5 000 policemen and 9 000 buses all within a 24-hour period. For accidents and emergencies — of which there are many — several organizations are on hand: Ezer Mizion Ichud Hatzolah Zaka and Magen David Adom. One of the buildings in the Bnei Akiva yeshivah high school compound at the top of the mountain is transformed into a field hospital (Photos: Flash90)

"H e who has not seen the Simchas Beis Hashoeivah in the Beis Hamikdash has not seen true simchah in his days.” But until we merit the glory of the Beis Hamikdash Hashlishi it’s probably fair to borrow the Mishnah’s statement in describing the electrifying atmosphere at the tomb of Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai on Lag B’omer.

That day — which sees a pilgrimage of half a million Jews flocking up the mountain through the village of Meron in an awe-inspiring display of unity and joy — is the Jewish world’s biggest annual gathering.

But how does this small moshav — whose pathways were originally paved for donkey carts — and a stone structure built 450 years ago over the tomb of Rashbi handle the huge influx? It takes tremendous manpower and even greater brainpower to orchestrate this gargantuan operation in a way that both safety and tradition are preserved and these days Rabbi Yosef Schwinger of Jerusalem the frontrunner behind its logistics is busier than ever.

Ready for Anything

The name Yossi Schwinger is a buzzword in the Israeli media. As chairperson of the government-funded Center for the Development of Holy Sites Rabbi Schwinger is in the unenviable tug-of-war position of being the go-to person when it comes to everything related to holy sites around the country whether it’s a renovation desecration political controversy security detail or anything in between. And of all the holy sites his name is attached to — Kever Rochel Kever Shimon Hatzaddik Kever Dovid Hamelech — the Lag B’omer pilgrimage to Meron is by far his most complex project.