Lag BaOmer

May 18, 5785

The counting of the Omer from the second evening of the Passover festival until Shavuot is connected to the agricultural annual cycle. This period marked both the beginning of the barley harvest and the end of the wheat harvest, during which the sheaves ("Omer") were counted. Nevertheless, this period is considered a time of mourning in traditional Judaism, as various disasters that befell the Jewish people are commemorated. This includes, for example, the failed Bar Kochba revolt against the Romans as well as the pogroms during the Crusades of the 11th century. Thus, during this period of 49 days, no joyful events such as weddings should be celebrated.

Lag baOmer is the 33rd day of the Omer counting and interrupts this mourning period for one day. On this day, both weddings can be held and hair can be cut. Lag baOmer is also celebrated as the day of the death and ascension to heaven of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, whom the Kabbalists consider the author of the book Zohar. On this day, numerous very religious Jews pilgrimage to Meron (Upper Galilee) to honor him with torches and fires as the light-bringer.