"Dad Prayed at Rabbi Shimon's Tomb and Was Blessed with 23 More Years of Life"

Until about three months ago, you could go to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's tomb in Meron and be sure to meet Rabbi Ovadia Haba there. With his gray beard, large kippah, and ever-present smile, Rabbi Haba became almost inseparable from the holy site. He was often seen by the lectern, studying quietly yet powerfully, blessing people, and inquiring about their well-being with genuine gentleness. He invited everyone to partake in the numerous gatherings he organized, intending to uplift the masses and satisfy their hunger, all in honor of the revered saint and the Jewish people.

A Living Medical Miracle

Rabbi Ovadia Haba's work in Meron began about 23 years ago, during his time as a scholar in a kollel in Rosh HaAyin. For a while, he wasn’t feeling well, and the difficult illness was discovered in his body. Rabbi Haba started undergoing treatments and radiation but immediately understood that these were just his due diligence and that true healing could only come from the Creator of the Universe.

"My father was always drawn to Meron and Rabbi Shimon," recounts his son, Rabbi Yaakov Haba, "so for him, it was clear that he had nothing to worry about. He simply needed to visit Rabbi Shimon's grave and ask for complete healing. And that's exactly what he did. He prayed at the site and promised that if he were to recover, he would dedicate his life to providing food for those visiting Rabbi Shimon. From that moment forward, my father experienced great miracles, as within a short period, he was completely healed, thank God, and returned to a normal life. He didn't forget his promise, and for 23 years, he could regularly be found at Rabbi Shimon, praying and studying throughout the day, always striving to help the many visitors with nourishing meals and sound advice."

Rabbi Ovadia Haba with his son Rabbi Yaakov

Rabbi Yaakov becomes emotional as he talks about his father's activities in Meron: "My father personally cooked all the meals for everyone who came to Meron daily. He served them breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Initially, these meals consisted mostly of store-bought rolls and bourekas, but over time, he began preparing exquisite food over coals, making all kinds of dishes, all with his own hands. If he fed dozens on a regular day, then during special times like Rosh Chodesh evenings or holiday evenings, he fed hundreds of people, truly ensuring everyone received food, ate, and was satisfied."

We're talking about an elderly man—where did he get the strength for such activity?

"He truly had supernatural strength. My dad used to say he received it from Rabbi Shimon. The vast scope of his activities became fully apparent only after his passing, when we learned that my dad didn’t just physically support people, but also listened to them, heard their stories, and blessed them. We heard thousands of tales from people who said my father was the closest person to them, that they always sought his advice and received blessings that resulted in miracles. At the funeral, it was a heart-wrenching sight when a Jew I'd never met stayed close to my father's casket. Amid the tears, he explained to me, 'He wasn't just your father; he was my father too,' and he didn’t stop crying: 'Father, father.'

Living With Rabbi Shimon

Where did your father live during the years he was in Meron?

"What do you mean, 'Where?' He lived with Rabbi Shimon. My father never left the site; he was continually praying and studying there. When he grew tired, he would rest his head on the table and nap. For 23 years, he didn't know what it was to sleep on a bed, and even more so, he could respond to people seeking advice even while asleep. Sometimes, he'd hear yeshiva students discussing studies as he slept and would have something to add to their debate, so he'd open his eyes, gently interject, and share his insights.

"Personally, I accompanied him for the last seven years. Though I live in Bnei Brak, I would come regularly to Meron daily, and I continue to this day. Even though I was with my father all the time, it turns out even I didn’t know all the remarkable stories of salvation people experienced because of him. Women who conceived after years, sick people who healed, and more tear-jerking tales. Just today, a woman from France called me and shared that four months ago, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She came specifically to pray at saints' graves in Israel, and when she arrived in Meron, she met my father who blessed her: 'You'll be healthy again and dance at your children's weddings.' She called specifically to tell me: 'The doctors gave me no chance, but today I underwent a test and found out I'm completely healthy.' It's amazing to think how my father dedicated his life to people, sitting with them around the clock. He had no day or night, he just wanted to help, support, and bless.

"There were many times I accompanied my father on trips to the health fund or other places, and repeatedly noticed that he would whisper names and prayers along the way. My father never asked for anything in return for his efforts, only ever saying one thing: 'Make me happy and tell me that my prayer was answered.' And indeed, people would call and tell him—miraculous stories of weddings after decades without matches, children born, illnesses healed, and apartments sold. This extraordinary joy filled him and gave him tremendous strength to continue his activities."

In Memory of Dad

"Since my father recovered 23 years ago, until three months ago, he was completely healthy,” Rabbi Yaakov emphasizes. “On his last day, he managed to get up in the morning and attend the brit of someone he knew, at five thirty in the evening he didn’t feel well and asked me, 'Make a meal for my recovery.' I never imagined the severity of the situation. Shortly after, he got into an ambulance and assured me, 'Don't worry, I'll be back in an hour.' Sadly, he didn’t return.

"Since my father's passing, a huge void has been created," says Rabbi Yaakov with pain. "Personally, I miss a father with good advice. I habitually sought his opinion on everything, and now I have no one to ask for guidance. But it especially pains me now, approaching Lag B'Omer. Lag B'Omer and Rosh Hashana were the most special days for my father. His face glowed wherever he went, accompanied by a great light.

"On Lag B'Omer, he would always sit in some corner of the tomb and try to devote as many hours as possible to study. Many people would gather around him, listening to his studying and sometimes joining. In recent years, he studied outside, at the entrance to the tomb, where again, many people would come and join him. It's painful to think that this year he won’t be with us."

And what will actually happen? Is there someone to continue his work after his passing?

"My father never officially told me that he wants me to continue his legacy, but I heard from many close to him that one of the things he wanted most was for his children to continue the work in Meron. As someone who accompanied his efforts for seven years, I know how important it is. So yes, our activities continue as usual. We continue to bring food daily to the tomb, host large meals on-site, and strive to support and help in every possible way. It’s not easy, especially considering the significant donations people gave my father, which are now harder to secure, but we believe that my father will continue to act for us from above, and we will have divine assistance in all our efforts, now in his honor and for the elevation of his soul."