Today a particular holiday is celebrated in Israel – Lag B’Omer, when Jews remember the two great sages Rabbi Akiva and Shimon bar Yochai, and fearless warrior Bar Kokhba.

Lag B’Omer is the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, which starts after Passover. At Lag B’Omer ended a deadly epidemic that raged among the students of Rabbi Akiva and claimed 24 thousand lives. Shimon bar Yochai was one of the few students who remained alive after the epidemic. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai is one of the founders of the Kabbalistic teaching, the author of the Zohar book. Many years later Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai died at the same day. Therefore, on this day the believers visit his grave at the Meron.

Bar Kokhba is the famous leader of the Jews, who managed to organize the people and raise a serious revolt against the Romans in 130 CE. In this struggle for the independence hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed, many people, including Rabbi Akiva, were executed and crucified.

Interesting traditions are connected with this day. The main custom of this holiday is the lighting of bonfires starting from sunset and going on almost until dawn. People dance and sing songs all night long, because Shimon bar Yochai asked his disciples to be joyful, not sad this day. The tradition of lighting bonfires originates from a legend, according to which, after the death of Rabbi Akiva, his house was filled with spiritual light as a sign of his deep knowledge of the Torah.

After Passover children arrange real competition in collecting twigs and brushwood for bonfires. On the eve of the holiday children parades are held everywhere, a bow and arrows are bought for children, so they can play soldiers of Bar Kochba’s troop.

Children who are 3 years old have traditional haircutting (Upsherin) at the Meron. On this day, the mourning for the students of Rabbi Akiva stops and the weddings are arranged for those who have planned to marry since Passover.

I congratulate Israeli and wish everybody a merry holiday!