Rabi Shimon’s Promise

Why is Meron, sacred burial place of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai, the destination for the upsherens, chalakahs and haircuts of our nation? Why do our three-year-olds mark the occasion near his resting place?

I once heard a beautiful suggestion from a wise rav. He quoted the gemara in Shabbos (138b).

The Rabbanan maintained that Asida Torah shetishtakach m’Yisrael, Torah is destined to be forgotten from Yisrael… But Rabi Shimon bar Yochai argued and said, “Chas v’shalom, Torah will never be forgotten,” quoting the possuk, “Ki lo sishakach mpi zaro.” (The sofei teivos of which, Reb Nachman of Breslov pointed out, are Yochai, hinting to the fact that his essence lies in this teaching. And in fact, those words are emblazoned over the famed archway in Meron, since Rabi Shimon ensured that Torah will never be forgotten.)

This Rav suggested that as each generation of children comes forth, taking their first steps in to the world of Torah — licking honey, tentatively reading letters — their parents take them to Rabbi Shimon and remind the Tana of his pledge. “Heilege Reb Shimon, you told us that Torah would not be forgotten, that this next generation too will find honey within the letters, sweetness in the toil, joy in the truth…you promised…”