Lag B’Omer Celebration
What is Lag B’ Omer?
Lag B’Omer is the 33rd day of counting the Omer, the 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot. “Lag” in Hebrew is the number 33. The Omer is a time of semi-mourning when weddings and other celebrations are forbidden, and as a sign of grief, observant Jews do not cut their hair.
We learn in the Talmud that during this season, a plague killed thousands of Rabbi Akiva’s students because they did not treat each other respectfully. Rabbi Akiva was one of our greatest sages. The mourning behavior is presumably in memory of those students and their punishment. According to a medieval tradition, the plague ceased on Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer. As a result, Lag B’Omer became a happy day, interrupting the sadness of the Omer period for 24 hours. We listen to music and enjoy the season by celebrating outdoors.
We will gather for a celebration on Thursday May 15th at 6:00 pm.