‘LAG B’OMER’, A SYMBOL OF NATIONAL FREEDOM 

Leviticus 23:15-16: “And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16 Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD.” 

 

On the 16th of May 2025, Jews all over the world will celebrate ‘Lag B’Omer’. ‘Lag B’Omer’ is Hebrew shorthand for the 33rd day of the ‘Omer’. ‘Lag’, or L"G are the Hebrew numerals for 33. It falls on the 33rd day of the counting of the ‘Omer’ (the amount of days as counted from the second day of ‘Pesach (Passover) until the holiday of ‘Shavuot’.) This corresponds to the 18th day of the Hebrew month of ‘Iyar’.

 

An ‘omer’ is a measure of barley which is equal to about 3.64 litres. However the Jewish Study Bible places the ‘omer’ at about 2.3 litres.

In Biblical times on the second day of Passover, it was a commandment to bring barley the size of an ‘omer’ to the Temple in Jerusalem. Then fifty days later, on ‘Shavuot’ (Pentecost), it was a commandment to bring the first offering of the wheat harvest.

 

The origins of the ‘Omer’ count are found in the Torah itself in Leviticus 23:15-16 which states that it is a commandment to count seven complete weeks from the day after ‘Pesach’ night ending with the festival of ‘Shavuot’ on the fiftieth day. The 49 days of the ‘Omer’ correspond both to the time between the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the giving of the ‘Torah’ at the foot of Mount Sinai on ‘Shavuot’, as well as to the time between the barley harvest and the wheat harvest in ancient Israel. There are a number of explanations for why the 33rd day is treated as a special holiday.

 

The ‘Talmud’, the collection of ancient Jewish writings that forms the basis of Jewish religious law, states that during the time of Rabbi Akiva, 24,000 of his students died from a divine-sent plague during the Counting of the ‘Omer’. The ‘Talmud’ then goes on to say that this was because they did not show proper respect to one another befitting their level; they begrudged each other the spiritual levels attained by their comrades. 

Jews celebrate Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day of the count, as the traditional day that this plague ended. 

 

After the death of Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students, he taught just five students, among them Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai who went on to become the greatest teacher of ‘Torah’ in his generation. The day of ‘Lag B’Omer’ is also celebrated as the ‘Yahrzeit’ (anniversary) of the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. 

Tens of thousands of Jews make a pilgrimage to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's tomb in Meron, which is a town in northern Israel. It is located on the slopes of Mount Meron in the Upper Galilee near Safed. They gather there to commemorate the anniversary of his death. 

 

Shimon bar Kochba was a Jewish military leader who led the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Roman Empire in 132 CE. Some say the holiday marks the temporary victory of Shimon bar Kochba’s men over the Romans. Bar Kochba, the commander of the revolt was acclaimed as a Messiah, a heroic figure who would restore Israel.  The revolt established an independent state of Israel over parts of Judea for over two years until a Roman army of twelve legions with auxiliaries finally crushed it.

Obviously Shimon Bar Kochba, although a great hero, is no Messiah.

 

‘Lag B’Omer’ became a symbol emphasizing the struggle for national liberation and freedom. 

Two popular customs take place during ‘Lag B’Omer’ to commemorate Bar Kochba’s revolt; bonfires are lit and archery games are played, when children go out to the fields with their teachers with bows and rubber-tipped arrows, and bats and balls. 

It is a time of dancing and singing and a day on which families go on picnics and outings.

 

One knows that ‘Lag B’Omer’ is drawing near when children begin collecting wood boards, old doors, and anything made from wood that can burn. This happens from one to two weeks before ‘Lag B’Omer’. 

 

In Israel, ‘Lag B’Omer’ is a school holiday. Youngsters and their parents light bonfires in open spaces in cities and towns throughout the country. Students Day is celebrated on the campuses of the various universities. Also, hundreds of weddings are held on ‘Lag B’Omer’ adding to the festive character of this holiday.

 

We at Emet Ministries wish Jewish people all over the world much joy and happiness on this joyous and very special day on the Jewish calendar.