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. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD.”

On the 16th 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 is 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’.

During the months of April and May 2025 this year, three very important days are commemorated by Jews both in Israel and throughout the world. The three days are ‘Yom Ha'shoah’, ‘Yom Hazikaron’, and ‘Yom Ha’atzmaut’.

Each of these days is very significant for Jewish people throughout the world. One specific day, however, has worldwide significance – that day is ‘Yom Ha’atzmaut’.

On the evening of the 12^th April, corresponding with the 14^th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, Jewish people all over the world will begin celebrating ‘Pesach’ (Passover) to remember the miraculous events of G-d taking the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt into freedom.

‘Pesach’ is a joyous festival and it is usually celebrated by the entire family (uncles, aunts, cousins etc).

On the 13^th March 2025, Jewish people all over the world will be partaking in the ‘Fast of Esther’ that precedes the celebration of the holiday of ‘Purim’.

‘Purim’, which this year begins on the evening of the 13^th March, corresponding to the 13^th day of the Hebrew month of ‘Adar’, could be called the happiest holiday of the year for Jewish people. It is a time for giving to the poor, exchanging gifts with family and friends, dressing up in fancy dress, and generally a time for rejoicing.