Lag B’Omer is a joyful Jewish holiday that takes place in the springtime. The meaning of “Lag” is “thirty-three,” derived from gematria, a system of associating each Hebrew letter with a number. “B’Omer” means “of the Omer,” the Omer being the forty-nine day period between Passover and Shavuot. Thus, Lag B’Omer is the thirty-third day of this period. Today, the Omer serves as a countdown (or count-up) to Shavuot in anticipation of the earth-shaking day when the Ten Commandments were given at Mount Sinai.
Discuss:
Long ago, Jewish people weren’t allowed to listen to Torah stories. How would you feel if you were not allowed to do something that is special to you?
If you were planning a Lag B’Omer celebration, what activities would you include? Why?
What do you think it would be like to live in a cave, the way Rabbi Shimon did? What would you like about it? What might be difficult?
More
How to Celebrate Lag B'Omer
How to Count The Omer
Who Was Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai
May 1, 2024