During the Counting of the Omer season, Lag BaOmer is a happy day that is marked by communal celebrations, bonfires, and music.

Fires and Festive Get-Togethers
Lighting bonfires is one of the most recognizable Lag BaOmer customs. These represent the teachings and spiritual light of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a revered Jewish sage who is thought to have died on this day. Around the fire, families and friends congregate to roast food, tell stories, sing songs, and take in the evening.

Outdoor Activities and Picnics
Lag BaOmer is frequently spent outside. Hikes, nature excursions, and family picnics are popular activities. Children are playing games in parks and open areas, particularly archery with toy bows and arrows, a custom associated with the rainbow’s symbolism.

Visiting Rabbi Shimon’s Tomb
In Israel, thousands of people make a pilgrimage to Meron, the burial site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. There, crowds celebrate with music, dancing, and massive bonfires in his honor. It’s one of the largest Jewish gatherings of the year.

The First Haircut – Upsherin
For many religious families, especially in Hasidic communities, Lag BaOmer marks a milestone for three-year-old boys: their first haircut, called upsherin. This tradition is based on the idea of spiritual growth, and the day’s special status allows hair cutting even during the otherwise solemn Omer period.

Weddings and Celebrations
Because of the semi-mourning nature of the Omer period, weddings and parties are generally avoided—except on Lag BaOmer. It’s considered an especially lucky and joyful day for couples to get married and for families to host celebratory events.

Why the Joy?
Tradition says the sadness of the Omer lifts on this day. According to Jewish teachings, a deadly plague that killed thousands of Rabbi Akiva’s students ended on Lag BaOmer. The day is also linked to hidden miracles, spiritual breakthroughs, and hope—making it a welcome break from a somber season.

Yes, shaving is permitted following Lag BaOmer in the majority of Jewish customs.

Many Jewish communities observe customs of mourning during the 49-day period between Shavuot and Passover, known as the Counting of the Omer. These include avoiding music, haircuts, shaving, and weddings. On the 33rd day, Lag BaOmer, the restrictions are usually removed.

Lag BaOmer is seen as a break in the mourning period. In many Ashkenazi communities, men resume shaving and getting haircuts starting on the morning of Lag BaOmer. Some Sephardic traditions, however, wait until the next day (the 34th) or even later, depending on their local customs.

So while customs may vary slightly, in most cases, it’s permitted to shave after Lag BaOmer.

Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, is a day of joy and spiritual meaning in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a break in mourning during the seven-week period between Passover and Shavuot, and marks several important historical and mystical events.

The End of a Plague
According to tradition, a deadly plague that struck Rabbi Akiva’s students came to a sudden end on this day. Rabbi Akiva was a great Jewish sage of the 2nd century CE, and the loss of his thousands of disciples was a tragedy mourned throughout the Omer period. Lag BaOmer stands out as a day when that sorrow briefly lifts.

The Legacy of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
Lag BaOmer is also associated with the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a revered mystic and student of Rabbi Akiva. Jewish mystics believe that on this day, Rabbi Shimon revealed deep, hidden teachings of the Torah before passing away. His life and teachings are honored with bonfires, symbolizing the spiritual light he brought into the world.

A Day of Celebration
With the lifting of mourning customs, many use Lag BaOmer as a time for weddings, haircuts, music, and outdoor festivities. Bonfires, bows and arrows, and pilgrimages to Rabbi Shimon’s tomb in Meron, Israel, all mark the unique mix of joy, memory, and tradition that Lag BaOmer represents.

Lag B´Omer holds cultural, spiritual, and historical significance within the Jewish tradition.

Commemoration of a Break in Mourning
The Counting of the Omer, between Passover and Shavuot, is traditionally a period of mourning. Lag B´Omer marks a joyful break in this time. According to tradition, a deadly plague that killed thousands of Rabbi Akiva’s students ended on this 33rd day, making it a day of relief and celebration.

Honoring Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
Lag B´Omer is also believed to be the yahrzeit (anniversary of death) of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a renowned 2nd-century sage and mystic. He is traditionally credited with authoring the Zohar, a foundational text of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). It is said that on the day of his death, he revealed profound spiritual secrets. Bonfires are lit in his honor to symbolize the light of his teachings.

Spiritual and Communal Celebration
The day offers a chance for the Jewish community to come together in joy and unity. Through bonfires, music, dancing, and festive activities like archery and first haircuts for young boys, the holiday encourages spiritual connection, hope, and Jewish identity, especially in times of historical hardship.

Cultural Significance in Israel
In Israel, Lag B´Omer is widely celebrated with pilgrimages to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s tomb at Mount Meron. The large gatherings and joyful atmosphere have made the holiday one of the most vibrant on the Jewish calendar.

Lag BaOmer is a fun and meaningful Jewish holiday that happens on the 33rd day of a special counting time between Passover and Shavuot, called the “Counting of the Omer.”

Why Do We Celebrate?
A long time ago, there was a great teacher named Rabbi Akiva. Many of his students got sick during a terrible plague—but on the 33rd day of the Omer, the sickness suddenly stopped. That’s one reason people celebrate.

Another reason is to honor a wise man named Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who taught deep Jewish ideas. He passed away on this day, and many people believe he brought light and wisdom to the world.

Is It a Holiday from School?
In some Jewish schools, yes! Kids might have the day off, or get to do something fun. But it’s not a public holiday in most places.

What Do People Do?

• Bonfires: Kids and families gather around big fires at night. It’s like a Jewish campfire party! The fire reminds people of the “light” Rabbi Shimon brought to the world.

• Bows and Arrows: Kids play with toy bows and arrows. This is a fun way to remember peace and hope—like the rainbow (or “keshet” in Hebrew) God sent after the flood in Noah’s story.

• Haircuts: In some Jewish communities, little boys who just turned three get their very first haircut on Lag BaOmer. It’s called an upsherin and is a big celebration with snacks and hugs.

Where Is It Big?
In Israel, especially near Rabbi Shimon’s tomb in Meron, there are huge parties with singing, dancing, and bonfires. In other countries, people celebrate in parks, schools, or synagogues.

What’s the Big Idea?
Lag BaOmer is about hope, learning, light, and joy—even when times are tough. It’s a break in a quiet time, and a chance to come together and celebrate Jewish life.