On May 26, the 18th of the Iyar month, according to the Jewish calendar, the holiday of Lag B'Omer is celebrated - one of the oldest holidays, it is a joyful and cheerful event for Jews. Therefore, on this day, it is appropriate to say greetings and wish each other a happy holiday: “Hag Lag B'Omer sameach!”.
The name of the holiday consists of two words – “lag” and “omer”, which means “the 33rd day from the beginning of the counting of the Omer”. From the second day of Pesach until the holiday of Shavuot, Jews keep an account called the Omer account. There are only 50 days of counting the omer. This time in the Torah is called a period of hope and awe, in which it is decided how fruitful the year will be. Many prohibitions apply during these seven weeks.
The content of the holiday is immediately connected with several historical events. The Talmud tells us that the great sage and systematizer of the Torah, Rabbi Akiva, had 24,000 disciples, and that all but five of them died of an epidemic between Pesach and Shavuot as punishment for treating each other with disrespect. The plague lasted thirty-three days. Therefore, during this period, Jews around the world observe several mourning customs: they do not cut their hair, do not hold festive feasts and wedding ceremonies. It is believed that it was on Lag ba-omer that the plague stopped, and therefore on this day mourning customs are canceled everywhere. On this day, you can get a haircut and shave, you can arrange a wedding and have fun.
Moreovr, it is customary to associate the holiday with the name of the sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (Rashbi), one of the most famous followers of Rabbi Akiva, the founder of Kabbalistic teachings and the author of the creation of the Jewish people – the book “Zohar”. Rashbi died in Lag B'Omer. He told his disciples to celebrate the day of his death as a day of joy. Legend has it that after the death of Shimon Bai Yochai in 160 AD. a pillar of fire rose above his body. This is how the tradition of making bonfires on this day appeared.
Traditionally, on Lag B'Omer, a pilgrimage is made to Rabbi Shimon's grave on Mount Meron, as well as archery, bonfires, picnics and various fun activities with songs and dances.
The night from which the holiday begins is the night of fires. The main bonfire is lit over the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Many candles are lit in synagogues.
In memory of the slave Shimon and his son, who ate the fruits of the carob tree during the fight against the Romans, Jews also eat fruits from this tree on this holiday. Another treat is boiled eggs painted with onion peel. Such was Shimon Bai Yochai's favorite food.
Unfortunately, now we do not have the opportunity to traditionally gather in a large circle of friends around the bonfire and celebrate together... May this year the warm "fire of friendship" burns in your soul and ignite feelings of love and respect, reminding you of the true spiritual meaning of the holiday!
Daria Yesina