Our recent Lag BaOmer reports noted that the day commemorates three occasions: Bar Kokhba's revolt against the Romans, the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai, and the end of a period of mourning for thousands of students of Rabbi Akiva, who died in a plague at this time of year.
Several readers asked for the source regarding the Bar Kokhba rebellion. Several contemporary rabbis have written of the Lag BaOmer-Bar Kokhba connection, including Rabbi Adin Steinzaltz in his commentary to the Talmud (Yevamot 62b). Dr. Nachum Wahrman, in his work Chagei Yisrael U'Moadav, writes:
"[The cessation of Rabbi Akiva's students' deaths on Lag BaOmer] is connected with Bar Kokhba's war with the Romans, because according to a tradition that took root in the nation from ancient days, Rabbi Akiva's students were the main force of Bar Kokhba's army. Similarly, it is accepted in the nation that on the 18th day of Iyar (Lag BaOmer), an important turnabout took place in the battles in favor of Bar Kokhba's rebels. Coins found from those days, on one side of which was written 'Shimon' and on the other, 'For the Freedom of Jerusalem,' are witness to the fact that Bar Kokhba apparently succeeded in conquering Jerusalem, for a time, and there are those who estimate that this victory took place on Lag Baomer."
Israel's Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger, in his work B'Maagalei HaChayim, notes that the custom of playing with bows and arrows on this day is "apparently because tradition tied this date with the Bar Kokhba rebellion."
See also a learned article on the subject by Rabbi Pinchas Stolper.
Several readers asked for the source regarding the Bar Kokhba rebellion. Several contemporary rabbis have written of the Lag BaOmer-Bar Kokhba connection, including Rabbi Adin Steinzaltz in his commentary to the Talmud (Yevamot 62b). Dr. Nachum Wahrman, in his work Chagei Yisrael U'Moadav, writes:
"[The cessation of Rabbi Akiva's students' deaths on Lag BaOmer] is connected with Bar Kokhba's war with the Romans, because according to a tradition that took root in the nation from ancient days, Rabbi Akiva's students were the main force of Bar Kokhba's army. Similarly, it is accepted in the nation that on the 18th day of Iyar (Lag BaOmer), an important turnabout took place in the battles in favor of Bar Kokhba's rebels. Coins found from those days, on one side of which was written 'Shimon' and on the other, 'For the Freedom of Jerusalem,' are witness to the fact that Bar Kokhba apparently succeeded in conquering Jerusalem, for a time, and there are those who estimate that this victory took place on Lag Baomer."
Israel's Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger, in his work B'Maagalei HaChayim, notes that the custom of playing with bows and arrows on this day is "apparently because tradition tied this date with the Bar Kokhba rebellion."
See also a learned article on the subject by Rabbi Pinchas Stolper.