When is lag baomer

This section of the Talmud relates a tragic story about Rabbi Akiva, one of the greatest Jewish leaders of his time. Rabbi Akiva, the Talmud tells us, had 24, students who died from a terrible plague all in one year during the Omer period. This plague was sent by God to punish the students for not showing each other proper respect. The Meiri relates a tradition that says this plague ended on Lag BaOmer.

For one, the loss of human life is always a tragedy. On top of that, these were incredible scholars who, had they lived, might have made unimaginable and irreplaceable contributions to Jewish learning and tradition. Additionally troubling is the fact that these great scholars showed each other so little respect, indeed, treated each other so terribly that it cost them their lives. For all these reasons, Jewish tradition commemorates this event by treating the Omer as a period of partial mourning.

Understandably, Lag BaOmer, the day this plague ended, deserves to be celebrated as the end of this mourning period — though certain communities continue to treat the days following Lag BaOmer as a period of mourning as well. In truth, Lag BaOmer is about more than just the end of a national tragedy. It also marks the beginning of a new era.

Despite the enormous loss of 24, students, Rabbi Akiva did not give up. He began teaching again. It is very fitting that Lag BaOmer falls between Pesach, which marks the exodus from Egypt , and Shavout, which marks the giving of the Torah.

On these holidays we celebrate the great miracles God performed for us and the guidance He gives us through the Torah. Our changing observance of the period between Passover and Shavuot reflects our sensitivity to the realities of our history. There is some We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and bring you ads that might interest you.

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Sometimes She Prescribes Chemical Castration. Israel Could Soon Reopen to Tourists. The name of this observance means refers to the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer. This is not a public holiday in the United States. Most businesses, schools, and offices are open and follow regular hours, but Jewish-run businesses and organizations might be closed. This is because mourning practices that occur during the Omer period are lifted on this date.

Some Jewish boys may not have their hair cut until they are three years old, when they begin to learn the Torah. Some children play with bows, which represent rainbows. Some people eat carobs on this day in memory of a story about a carob tree that miraculously grew to provide sustenance for a rabbi known as Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai whose teacher was Rabbi Akiba and his son Elazar.