Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai lived in the immediate aftermath of the Second Temple. It is at Har Meron on Lag B’Omer where the “Yahrtzeit,” or the anniversary of the death of this great scholar is commemorated. Here lie the remains of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a disciple of Rabbi Akivah and his son, Rabbi Elazar b’Rabbi Shimon. Tens of thousands gather at Har Meron (Mt. You’ll see them in their sleeping bags scattered on the beaches. Older teens incorporate a sleep-over with their ‘kumzits’. Everyone sits together, be it on the floor or on chairs, and sing spiritually moving songs. The word is used to describe an evening gathering that Jews partake in. The word ‘kumzits’ is derived from the Yiddish words קום (come) and זיץ (sit). Teens get together, sometimes on the beach, light their fires and celebrate with a “kum-zits” long into the night. They get together with their classmates, light huge bonfires, roast potatoes in the fire, sing songs and play games. Lag B’Omer is a fun time for school children in Israel. When Lag B’Omer commences on a Saturday night the Rabbinate ask the public to postpone their bonfires until Sunday night so that the Sabbath will not be desecrated in any way.

It was also the time between the barley harvest and the wheat harvest in ancient Israel. The 49 days of the Omer correspond both to the time between the physical exodus from Egypt and the spiritual liberation of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai on Shavuot. There is a biblical mandate to count the Omer and it is a mitzvah to count seven complete weeks from the day after Passover (Pesach) night ending with the festival of Shavuot on the fiftieth day. Lag B’Omer refers to the thirty-third day of the Counting of the Omer (Sfirat Ha’Omer) and the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. Last Updated on OctoLag B’Omer tales, traditions and tips.

Lag b omer 2021