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Jewish Festivals Lag b'Omer |
In the second century, during the counting of the days between Passover and Shavuot, Rabbi Akiva, the rabbinic leader of world Jewry, lost 24,000 students. Only five students survived. On the 33rd day of the counting, the plague stopped, and Jews proclaimed a celebration called Lag B'omer.
Today, young people in the Diaspora celebrate Lag B'omer with outings and other festivities. Many Israelis build bonfires and visit the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the father of Jewish mysticism.
Lag b'Omer occurs on the thirty-third day after Passover. It is a time for picnics and games, and for school trips and campfires at night for the older children.
