Q&A: Does Rashbi perform salvations or not?
Does Rashbi perform salvations or not?
Question
Hello Rabbi,
many miracles and stories are told about Rabbi Shimon and his power to act on behalf of the individual or the community, and from this apparently comes the reverence and devotion of many who come to his gravesite throughout the year, and especially on Lag BaOmer.
In light of what happened on the day of the hillula, when very many people sadly died or were injured, doesn’t this prove beyond any doubt that all the stories and miracles attributed to Rabbi Shimon—that he brings salvation, etc.—turn out to be deception and sleight of hand, and that Rabbi Shimon, or others of course, have no powers to act for the benefit of the individual or the community?
Answer
Many miracles and stories are also told about the Holy One, blessed be He, and His power to act on behalf of the individual or the community. Does what happened prove beyond any doubt that all the stories about Him are deception and sleight of hand?
You may choose not to believe those stories (just as I also do not believe them), but what happened here proves nothing.
Discussion on Answer
Indeed. On the contrary, it may involve prohibitions.
Thank you very much.
According to the Rabbi’s view, is there no meaning at all to praying to righteous people and prostrating oneself on their graves?