Unveiling the Mysteries of Hillel's Cave

Situated near the tomb of the revered Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai lies a grand burial cave. Within its two expansive chambers are 37 burial pits and tombstones. Today, the site is facilitated with lighting, railings, and stairs, and a sign proclaims it as the Cave of Hillel the Elder. Although its past glory drew pilgrims and tales of miracles, the cave's origins connect it to the legendary sages, Hillel and Shammai. Rabbi Petachia of Regensburg, a contemporary of the Tosafists (his brother, Rabbi Isaac the White, being one of the prominent figures), described it vividly: "In the lower Galilee, there's a wide and tall cave. On one side is Shammai's and his disciples' cave, while the other belongs to Hillel and his students. In the center rests a hollow stone resembling a cup, capable of holding over 40 sayahs of water. When the righteous visit, they find it brimming with pristine water. They wash their hands, pray, and ask for blessings. The stone isn't hollow beneath, as water doesn't emerge from the ground; it appears when someone worthy arrives. The unworthy see no water. Even if a thousand buckets are drawn, it remains full."

To this day, the waters occasionally spring forth, though who is deemed worthy remains uncertain...

An intriguing tale is recounted in Rabbi Abraham Zacuto's chronicle, about Rabbi David, the Rambam's grandson. According to his account, Rabbi David prayed in the Cave of Hillel and Shammai, where water emerged as an opportune sign. Thereafter, he cursed wicked men, and they perished on the spot: "In Rabbi Shlomo ben Avraham's times, Rabbi Avraham and Rabbi Shlomo, sons of the leader Rabbi David, himself the Rambam's grandson, were alive. Rabbi David prayed in the Cave of Hillel and Shammai, and cold water surfaced. That day he cursed the informers. On the same day, 500 informers died in Egypt, followed by the deaths of their wives and children two months later."

The Ramban's disciple describes a joyous festival in Hillel and Shammai's cave: "In Meron, there lies a cave for Shammai, Hillel, and their students, altogether numbering 32. During the second Passover, both Jews and Ishmaelites congregate there. The Israelites pray, reciting psalms. When they witness water flowing from the cave, all celebrate, interpreting it as a prosperous year's omen. Sometimes no water was found, but during prayers, it miraculously appeared momentarily."

Even the Muslim author Muhammad al-Damaski, living around 400 years ago, wrote: "In Meron lies a cave with coffins, dry throughout the year, without a drop of water. Yet, when the annual season arrives, Jews gather from far and wide, along with peasants and others, enduring a day's observance within and outside. Suddenly, water emerges from the coffins, collecting in the cave for an hour or two before receding. That day marks a Jewish festival, and the water acquired is carried to distant lands, both on land and sea, known as Meron Water."

Once an overt miracle in ancient times, nowadays it seems beyond our generation's merit, leaving us to simply visit this venerated and sacred cave.