All About Lag B'Omer

Many people are confused by Lag B'Omer.

We can often easily explain the reasons we celebrate other Jewish holidays. Passover is a celebration of our exodus from slavery in Egypt. Shavuot is a celebration of receiving the Torah and the wheat harvest. Lag B'Omer is a bit more complicated.

To gain a clear understanding of this special day, read these answers to six basic Lag B'Omer questions:

1. What is an Omer?
2. What is Sefirat HaOmer?
3. Why do we Count the Omer?
4. Why do we mourn during the Counting of the Omer?
5. What is Lag B'Omer?
6. How do we celebrate Lag B'Omer?

Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai are central to the Lag B'Omer celebration. Read biographies of these Jewish leaders:

• Rabbi Avika
• Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai

Enjoy your bonfire!