Judaism
Lag BaOmer: Joy in the midst of mourning
· 5 min read
Lag BaOmer (33rd day of the Omer) is a day of joy in the midst of the semi-mourning period of sefirat haomer. It commemorates the cessation of the plague that killed Rabbi Akiva's disciples and the light of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
Lag BaOmer
The end of the plague
Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 disciples died in a plague (Talmud Bavli Yevamot 62b). The plague ceased on the 33rd day of the Omer.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
Lag BaOmer is the yahrzeit (anniversary of death) of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. It is said that on the day of his death, the light of the Zohar was revealed.
Celebrations
- Bonfires.
- Pilgrimage to Meron (Rashbi's tomb).
- Haircut for 3-year-old boys (upsherinish).
- Weddings, music, and joy.
Reading: Talmud Bavli Yevamot 62b. Zohar (Idra Zuta). Lag BaOmer customs.
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