Question: How is Lag B'Omer celebrated?
Answer: Lag B'Omer is a semi-holiday, an interruption in the Sefirat HaOmer period of mourning. Weddings, festivities, music, dancing and haircuts are allowed.
Many celebrate Lag B'Omer with large bonfires. The fires are symbolic of the light of the Torah which was revealed by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The Zohar, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's book of Kabbalah, means bright light.
In Israel, many travel to the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in the northern town of Meron. Among other festivities which take place in Meron on Lag B'Omer, many 3 year old boys receive their first haircut.
Often school children play with bows and arrows on Lag B'Omer. This play commemorates the warlike activities of Rabbi Akiva's students during the time of the Bar Kochva revolt against the Romans. In addition, kabbalists associate the bows and arrows with rainbows, which is a symbol of redemption.
- What is an Omer?
- What is Sefirat HaOmer?
- Why do Jews Count the Omer?
- Why do Jews mourn during the Counting of the Omer?
- What is Lag B'Omer?
- How is Lag B'Omer Celebrated?
