The Spark of Lag B’Omer

Next week, we celebrate a unique and joyful day on the Jewish calendar—Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer count between Pesach and Shavuot. While the seven-week journey from redemption to revelation is generally marked with a sense of solemnity and reflection, Lag B’Omer arrives like a burst of light, lifting the heaviness with song, bonfires, and celebration.

So what is Lag B’Omer, and why do we celebrate it?

Historically, Lag B’Omer is associated with several important moments. Some say it marks the day that the deadly plague afflicting Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students came to an end—a plague, tradition says, was caused by a lack of respect among them. Others note that it is the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a mystic sage and student of Rabbi Akiva, who is credited with revealing the deepest layers of Torah through the teachings of Kabbalah. According to tradition, he instructed that his passing be remembered not with mourning, but with joy, light, and celebration.

In Israel and in Jewish communities around the world, Lag B’Omer is celebrated with bonfires, outdoor festivities, weddings, and community gatherings. It’s a day when the spiritual and the communal merge in beautiful harmony. Though with all the forest fires raging in Israel, I imagine the celebrations will be a bit more tempered this year.

What meaning can we draw from Lag B’Omer today, in our own lives?

Lag B’Omer reminds us that even in the middle of struggle, there are moments of hope and joy. The Omer is a period that teaches patience and preparation. Lag B’Omer teaches us that even the hardest journeys have sparks of light along the way. It reminds us that respect for one another, as emphasized in the story of Rabbi Akiva’s students, is not just a historical lesson—it is a timeless value that builds and sustains community. And in remembering Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, we are encouraged to look for the deeper meaning in our tradition and in our lives, even when it’s hidden beneath the surface.

To celebrate this uplifting day, we invite you and your family to our annual Lag B’Omer Picnic on Sunday, May 18 at 11:00 AM! Join us at Paseo Park – 1851 Paseo Verde Parkway - for a day of food, fun, games, and community spirit. There will be activities for all ages, and of course, a chance to enjoy being together in the fresh spring air. Bring a picnic blanket, your appetite, and your joyful heart!

Let Lag B’Omer be a spark that reignites our love for Jewish life, learning, and one another.

Click HERE to RSVP for the Picnic

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Bradley Tecktiel