https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/holidays-minor-lag-baomer.xml /articles/holidays-minor-lag-baomer xml article Lag BaOmer The 33rd day of the Omer — the end of the spring period of mourning, observed with bonfires and visits to the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron. The New Jew /index.xml Sacred Time /sections/sacred-time.xml Lag BaOmer /articles/holidays-minor-lag-baomer.xml https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/holidays-minor-lag-baomer https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/holidays-minor-lag-baomer.json <_xml>https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/holidays-minor-lag-baomer.xml
holidays-minor-lag-baomer Lag BaOmer The 33rd day of the Omer — the end of the spring period of mourning, observed with bonfires and visits to the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron. Summary. Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the Omer count (the 18th of Iyar), marks an interruption in the period of partial mourning between Pesach and Shavuot. Traditional reasons include: the day the plague that killed Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students ceased (Yevamot 62b); the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (the Tanna to whom the Zohar is attributed); the day of Bar Kokhba's victories. The day's customs include bonfires (representing the spiritual light of Rabbi Shimon), haircuts (after the prohibition on haircuts during the Omer), weddings (which were prohibited during the Omer), and the pilgrimage to Rabbi Shimon's grave in Meron, Galilee. essential holidays lag baomer omer rabbi shimon 2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z 527 2
sacred-time Sacred Time
summary Summary. [Lag BaOmer](/glossary.xml#letter-L), the 33rd day of the [Omer](/glossary.xml#letter-O) count (the 18th of [Iyar](/glossary.xml#letter-I)), marks an interruption in the period of partial mourning between [Pesach](/glossary.xml#letter-P) and [Shavuot](/glossary.xml#letter-S). Traditional reasons include: the day the plague that killed [Rabbi Akiva's](/glossary.xml#letter-R) 24,000 students ceased [(Yevamot 62b)](https://www.sefaria.org/Yevamot.62b); the [yahrzeit](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) of [Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai](/glossary.xml#letter-R) (the [Tanna](/glossary.xml#letter-T) to whom the [Zohar](/glossary.xml#letter-Z) is attributed); the day of [Bar Kokhba's](/glossary.xml#letter-B) victories. The day's customs include bonfires (representing the spiritual light of Rabbi Shimon), haircuts (after the prohibition on haircuts during the Omer), weddings (which were prohibited during the Omer), and the pilgrimage to Rabbi Shimon's grave in Meron, Galilee. Summary. Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the Omer count (the 18th of Iyar), marks an interruption in the period of partial mourning between Pesach and Shavuot. Traditional reasons include: the day the plague that killed Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students ceased (Yevamot 62b); the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (the Tanna to whom the Zohar is attributed); the day of Bar Kokhba's victories. The day's customs include bonfires (representing the spiritual light of Rabbi Shimon), haircuts (after the prohibition on haircuts during the Omer), weddings (which were prohibited during the Omer), and the pilgrimage to Rabbi Shimon's grave in Meron, Galilee. paragraph Why the 33rd Day? Why the 33rd Day? paragraph The Hebrew letters lamed-gimel have the numerical value 33. [The Talmud (Yevamot 62b)](https://www.sefaria.org/Yevamot.62b) records that 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died in a plague between Pesach and Shavuot — a punishment for failing to honor one another. The 33rd day of the Omer is the traditional date the plague ceased; the customs of partial mourning during the Omer end on Lag BaOmer. The Hebrew letters lamed-gimel have the numerical value 33. The Talmud (Yevamot 62b) records that 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died in a plague between Pesach and Shavuot — a punishment for failing to honor one another. The 33rd day of the Omer is the traditional date the plague ceased; the customs of partial mourning during the Omer end on Lag BaOmer. heading Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai paragraph The [Kabbalistic](/glossary.xml#letter-K) tradition (attested in [the Arizal](/glossary.xml#letter-T)'s circle in 16th-century Safed) holds that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai — the 2nd-century Tanna to whom the Zohar is attributed — died on Lag BaOmer, and that on his deathbed he revealed the deepest secrets of the Zohar to his disciples. The day is therefore the [hillula](/glossary.xml#letter-H) (the wedding-feast-of-death) of Rabbi Shimon. The mass pilgrimage to his grave on Mount Meron in the Galilee draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually (the 2021 Meron disaster, in which 45 pilgrims died in a stampede, has prompted significant changes in crowd management). The Kabbalistic tradition (attested in the Arizal's circle in 16th-century Safed) holds that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai — the 2nd-century Tanna to whom the Zohar is attributed — died on Lag BaOmer, and that on his deathbed he revealed the deepest secrets of the Zohar to his disciples. The day is therefore the hillula (the wedding-feast-of-death) of Rabbi Shimon. The mass pilgrimage to his grave on Mount Meron in the Galilee draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually (the 2021 Meron disaster, in which 45 pilgrims died in a stampede, has prompted significant changes in crowd management). heading Bonfires Bonfires paragraph On Lag BaOmer night, bonfires are lit throughout Israel and in Jewish communities worldwide. The fires symbolize the spiritual light of Rabbi Shimon's [Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-T); they also commemorate the signal-fires by which the Bar Kokhba rebels communicated. Children traditionally collect wood for weeks in advance; the bonfires can be substantial. Some communities also have weddings on Lag BaOmer night, taking advantage of the brief intermission from the Omer's prohibitions on celebration. On Lag BaOmer night, bonfires are lit throughout Israel and in Jewish communities worldwide. The fires symbolize the spiritual light of Rabbi Shimon's Torah; they also commemorate the signal-fires by which the Bar Kokhba rebels communicated. Children traditionally collect wood for weeks in advance; the bonfires can be substantial. Some communities also have weddings on Lag BaOmer night, taking advantage of the brief intermission from the Omer's prohibitions on celebration. heading Haircuts and Three-Year-Olds Haircuts and Three-Year-Olds paragraph The tradition of [upsherin](/glossary.xml#letter-U) — the first haircut of a Jewish boy at age 3 — is often performed on Lag BaOmer, particularly among [Hasidic](/glossary.xml#letter-H) families. The boy is given his first haircut at the grave of Rabbi Shimon in Meron (or, in the diaspora, at the [shul](/glossary.xml#letter-S) on Lag BaOmer), and traditionally also receives his first [kippah](/glossary.xml#letter-K), [tzitzit](/glossary.xml#letter-T), and [aleph-bet](/glossary.xml#letter-A) primer on the same occasion. The tradition of upsherin — the first haircut of a Jewish boy at age 3 — is often performed on Lag BaOmer, particularly among Hasidic families. The boy is given his first haircut at the grave of Rabbi Shimon in Meron (or, in the diaspora, at the shul on Lag BaOmer), and traditionally also receives his first kippah, tzitzit, and aleph-bet primer on the same occasion. heading Where Denominations Diverge Where Denominations Diverge paragraph The bonfires and Meron pilgrimage are most prominent in Hasidic and [Sephardic](/glossary.xml#letter-S) communities. [Modern Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-M) observance is significant but less mass-cultural. Conservative and [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) observance of Lag BaOmer is generally limited to noting the end of the mourning period of the Omer. The bonfires and Meron pilgrimage are most prominent in Hasidic and Sephardic communities. Modern Orthodox observance is significant but less mass-cultural. Conservative and Reform observance of Lag BaOmer is generally limited to noting the end of the mourning period of the Omer. heading Sources Sources paragraph [Talmud Bavli, Yevamot 62b](https://www.sefaria.org/Yevamot.62b) — the plague of Rabbi Akiva's students. Talmud Bavli, Yevamot 62b — the plague of Rabbi Akiva's students. paragraph [Idra Zuta of the Zohar](https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar) — Rabbi Shimon's death. Idra Zuta of the Zohar — Rabbi Shimon's death. paragraph [Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 493](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.493) — Omer mourning. Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 493 — Omer mourning. paragraph [What Is Lag BaOmer?](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/679300/jewish/What-Is-Lag-BaOmer.htm) — Chabad.org. What Is Lag BaOmer? — Chabad.org. paragraph [What Is Lag B'Omer?](https://aish.com/what-is-lag-baomer/) — Aish. What Is Lag B'Omer? — Aish. paragraph [The History of Lag BaOmer](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2579614/jewish/The-History-of-Lag-BaOmer.htm) — Chabad.org. The History of Lag BaOmer — Chabad.org. heading Further Reading Further Reading paragraph [Yitz Greenberg](/glossary.xml#letter-R), The Jewish Way — section on the Omer period. Yitz Greenberg, The Jewish Way — section on the Omer period. paragraph Rabbi Simon Jacobson, A Spiritual Guide to the Counting of the Omer. Rabbi Simon Jacobson, A Spiritual Guide to the Counting of the Omer. holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanah Rosh Hashanah /articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanah.xml holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur Yom Kippur /articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur.xml holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkot Sukkot /articles/holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkot.xml holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah /articles/holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah.xml calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day Daf Yomi: A Page a Day deeper /articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xml holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts The Four Minor Fasts deeper /articles/holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts.xml Bar Kokhba שמעון בר כוכבא Shimon bar Kokhba led the last major Jewish revolt against Rome (132-135 CE), initially hailed by Rabbi Akiva as a possible Messiah; the revolt's crushing defeat is echoed in the bonfires and mourning customs of Lag BaOmer. holidays-minor-lag-baomer Hasidism חֲסִידוּת The mystical revival movement founded by the Baal Shem Tov in 18th-century Eastern Europe, teaching that God can be served with joy in every act and every person. Its communities, each led by a Rebbe, remain a major force in Jewish life. going-deeper-deeper-questions-hasidism-vs-mitnagdism Iyar אִיָּר The spring month that follows Nisan in the Jewish calendar; it holds Yom HaZikaron, Yom HaAtzmaut, Lag BaOmer, and Yom Yerushalayim. calendar-how-the-jewish-calendar-works Kabbalah קַבָּלָה The Jewish mystical tradition — literally "that which is received" — whose central text is the Zohar and whose distinctive teachings include the ten Sefirot and the infinite Ein Sof. going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-kabbalah Lag BaOmer ל"ג בָּעוֹמֶר The 33rd day of the Omer count (18 Iyar), when the Omer's semi-mourning lifts — celebrated with bonfires, weddings, haircuts, and the great pilgrimage to Meron. holidays-minor-lag-baomer Modern Orthodox Modern Orthodoxy is the stream of Orthodox Judaism that combines full Halachic observance with active engagement in general society, secular education, and often Zionism — distinct from Haredi communities that maintain greater separation from the surrounding culture. essentials-essential-judaica-kippah Omer עֹמֶר Originally the barley offering brought on the second day of Pesach; now the 49-day period counted aloud each night from Pesach to Shavuot, a practice called Sefirat HaOmer. calendar-counting-the-omer-sefirat-haomer Pesach פֶּסַח Passover — the spring festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, observed with the seder meal, matzah, and the removal of chametz from the home. holidays-shalosh-regalim-pesach Rabbi Akiva רבי עקיבא Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef (c. 50–135 CE) rose from an unlettered shepherd to become the most influential sage of the Mishnaic period; tradition holds that he died a martyr's death with the Shema on his lips, the model for every Jew's final words. essentials-essential-prayers-the-shema Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai רבי שמעון בר יוחאי A second-century Tanna and disciple of Rabbi Akiva, traditionally credited as the author of the Zohar; his yahrzeit is marked on Lag BaOmer with bonfires and pilgrimage to his grave in Meron. holidays-minor-lag-baomer Rabbi Yitz Greenberg Rabbi Irving 'Yitz' Greenberg (b. 1933), a Modern Orthodox rabbi and Holocaust theologian known for the principle that no Jewish theological statement should be made that would not be credible in the presence of burning children; author of The Jewish Way. holidays-modern-observances-yom-hashoah Reform Judaism Reform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis. how-to-use-this-field-guide Sephardi סְפָרַדִּי A Jew whose family traces to medieval Spain and Portugal — and, in common usage, to the broader communities of the Mediterranean and Middle East that follow Sephardic law and liturgy. The plural is Sephardim. Shavuot שָׁבוּעוֹת The early-summer festival marking the giving of the Torah at Sinai, arriving at the end of the seven-week count from Pesach; customs include all-night study and dairy foods. holidays-shalosh-regalim-shavuot Tanna תנא A sage of the Mishnaic period, roughly the 1st and 2nd centuries CE (plural Tannaim). Their teachings form the Mishnah and the earliest layer of rabbinic literature. The Arizal האר"י ז"ל Rabbi Isaac Luria (1534-1572), the towering kabbalist of 16th-century Safed whose teachings -- including tzimtzum, shevirat hakelim, and tikkun -- reshaped Jewish mysticism; he wrote almost nothing himself, and his system survives through the writings of his student Rabbi Chaim Vital. going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-kabbalah Torah תּוֹרָה The Five Books of Moses — the scroll at the center of Jewish life — and, more broadly, the whole of Jewish teaching. 'Learning Torah' can mean anything from Chumash to Talmud. Zohar זוהר The central work of Kabbalah — a mystical commentary on the Torah that emerged in 13th-century Spain and is traditionally attributed to the 2nd-century sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. going-deeper-deeper-questions-what-is-kabbalah aleph-bet אלף־בית The Hebrew alphabet, named for its first two letters. It has twenty-two letters, five of which take special final forms, and is read from right to left. hebrew-the-aleph-bet hillula הִלּוּלָא A celebration (the word is Aramaic) held on the anniversary of a righteous person's death — most famously the Lag BaOmer hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai at Meron. kippah כִּפָּה The small head covering (Yiddish: yarmulke) worn as a constant reminder of God's presence above; universal among observant men, and worn by people of all genders in many communities. essentials-essential-judaica-kippah shul שול The Yiddish word for synagogue, used warmly across the Jewish world for the house of prayer, study, and community. community-finding-a-shul tzitzit ציצית The knotted fringes tied to the four corners of the tallit (and tallit katan), commanded in the Torah as a visible reminder of all the mitzvot. essentials-essential-judaica-tallit-and-tzitzit upsherin אפשערן The Yiddish name for a boy's first haircut at age three, celebrated in many Hasidic and other communities, often at Lag BaOmer in Meron. yahrzeit יארצייט The anniversary of a death (Yiddish, 'year-time'), observed each year by lighting a 24-hour candle and reciting Kaddish for the deceased. parent Sacred Time /sections/sacred-time.xml related Rosh Hashanah /articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-rosh-hashanah.xml related Yom Kippur /articles/holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur.xml related Sukkot /articles/holidays-shalosh-regalim-sukkot.xml related Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah /articles/holidays-yom-tov-shemini-atzeret-and-simchat-torah.xml related Daf Yomi: A Page a Day /articles/calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day.xml related The Four Minor Fasts /articles/holidays-fasts-the-four-minor-fasts.xml