Lag BaOmer is a festive day on the Jewish calendar, celebrated on the 33rd day of the Omer count. It honors Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the author of the Zohar (a significant mystical Jewish work). This holiday also commemorates another event—the cessation of a plague that had afflicted the disciples of the great sage Rabbi Akiva during the weeks between Passover and Shavuot.
Customs and Traditions
1. Lighting Bonfires
On the eve of Lag BaOmer, it is customary to light bonfires. These flames symbolize the immense light that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai introduced into the world through his mystical teachings. According to the Zohar, on the day of his passing (Lag BaOmer), the house was filled with fire and intense light. His disciples couldn’t even approach him due to its brilliance.
2. Pilgrimage to Meron
The largest Lag BaOmer celebration takes place in and around Rabbi Shimon’s tomb, located in the northern Israeli village of Meron. Hundreds of thousands of people attend the festivities, engaging in round-the-clock singing and dancing.
3. Bows and Arrows (Keep Safe)
Children traditionally play with imitation bows and arrows on Lag BaOmer. This custom commemorates the midrashic tradition that no rainbow was seen during Rabbi Shimon’s lifetime. Rainbows only appeared after Noah’s flood, when God promised never to devastate the world again. Rabbi Shimon’s merit protected the world, rendering the rainbow unnecessary.
4. Lag BaOmer Parades
The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged the practice of arranging children’s parades on Lag BaOmer to celebrate Jewish unity—a central theme of the holiday.
5. The Miracle of Carobs
In some circles, people eat carobs on Lag BaOmer. This tradition commemorates a lifesaving miracle experienced by Rabbi Shimon. During their thirteen years of hiding from the Roman regime in a cave in northern Israel, a carob tree miraculously grew at the cave’s entrance, providing nourishment for Rabbi Shimon and his son.
6. A Day of Joy
All the mourning practices associated with the Omer period are suspended on Lag BaOmer. Weddings, haircuts, music, and other joyful activities are permitted on this day.
Are you Celebrating Lag Baomer?
Lag BaOmer is a day of celebration, unity, and joy—a time to honor Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s legacy and the light he brought into the world. Whether you’re lighting a bonfire, participating in a parade, or enjoying a festive meal, Lag BaOmer invites us to connect with our spiritual roots and celebrate life.