HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita is quoted saying one who is a “big masmid” and will learn during the bus ride to Meron may travel to the Rashbi for Lag B’Omer. However, one who is not – we needn’t give him another way for bitul zman. When asked in the past Rav Kanievsky stated this is a minhag and one should not mock it.

Rav Shiya Epstein, who is known to be close to the Gadol Hador, explains “Ten years ago, when Rav Chaim would agree to be sandek all around Israel, he was invited to a bris in Meron. When the bris ended Rav Chaim said ‘Since we are near the tziyun, let’s go there and be mispallel’. HaGaon HaRav Chaim arrived and stood near but did not go closer to the kever.

“The Kanievsky recited Tehillim quietly near the tziyun but generally speaking, when he visits a kever for a yahrzeit, he says Tehillim from the other side of the fence since he believes one should not recite Tehillim within four amos of the kever”.

It is also added that hundreds of children heading to Meron for their chalaka (upsherin) on Lag B’Omer stop at Rav Kanievsky for a bracha and they receive sweets from him.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)