Lag Ba'omer

Religious Zionist Rabbis light dawn bonfire at Meron

The fire was lit by the Rabbi of the 51st battalion at a ceremony including some of the most notable figures in the Religious Zionist community.

Two pairs of 12,000

It was not 24,000 students but two non-cohesive groups of 12,000 each. An analysis of the meaning of this presentation.

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Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu's Lag Ba'Omer message

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu with a message from Lag Ba'Omer celebrations in Meron: The nation of Israel needs to bring the light and justice to the entire world.

Lag Ba’Omer with the “Jewish Amazons” at the Pyramids

For Rabbi Louis Rabinowitz, it would be the most remarkable Lag Ba'Omer he would ever experience, that is Lag Ba'Omer 1942.

Watch: Central Lag Ba'omer bonfire-lighting in Hebron

Due to the security tensions in northern Israel, it was decided that Religious Zionism's central Lag Ba'omer celebrations will be held this year at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Watch.

Watch: Hundreds celebrate Lag Ba'omer at the Western Wall

Hundreds are currently participating in the traditional Lag B'Omer bonfire at the Western Wall Plaza, in the presence of the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, in honor of the holy Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.

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Lag Ba'Omer celebrations at Shimon Hatzaddik's gravesite

Crowds arrive to celebrate Lag Ba'Omer at the gravesite of Shimon Hatzaddik, a righteous man, in Jerusalem. The site is one of the alternate locations replacing Meron this year, due to the tensions in northern Israel.

Watch: Riots in Meron

Hundreds arrive in Meron, clashing with police and violating the 'closed military zone' order issued for the site.

Police announce:

Meron closed until after Lag Baomer

Police warned that unlawfully entering the area constitutes a criminal offense and those doing so will be forcefully removed by officers.

Ahead of Lag Ba'Omer:

Mount Meron declared a closed military area

The order went into effect at 11:00 p.m., and it will be in effect until Monday of next week at 12:00 p.m.

Lag Ba'omer in Meron: Three bonfires with 10 people each

If police and security forces approve the new plan for Lag Ba'omer celebrations in Meron, a total of thirty people will be allowed at the site, and no crowds.

Knesset to pass law limiting Meron celebrations

Minister Meir Porush: 'We cannot and should not deny the centuries-old tradition of Lag Ba'omer, even in a restricted format.'

Religious Services Ministry to fund alternate Lag Ba'Omer fires

In the coming days, a national tender is expected to be issued, within which religious councils across the country will have the opportunity to submit requests for funding Lag BaOmer events.

IDF cancels Lag Ba'Omer events in Meron

IDF stresses that the security situation does not allow the annual Hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai to be held, and as such it was decided to cancel it this year.

IDF recommends: Cancel Lag Ba'omer events in Meron

Due to security concerns in northern Israel, IDF recommends canceling annual Lag Ba'omer celebration in Meron.

Due to Gaza war:

Lag Ba'Omer pilgrimage to Tunisia cancelled

Popular annual Jewish pilgrimage to Tunisia's Djerba synagogue and celebration cancelled this year, only a very small number of celebrants expected to arrive from France.

Meron Disaster:

Justice has come to light, better late than never

'This disaster occurred because of the 'careless' and 'trust me' attitude that exists in Israel,' says brother of Meron disaster victim.

London shul criticized for holding indoor Lag Ba'Omer bonfire

Golders Green synagogue holds dangerous bonfire indoors after it rains, witnesses report children crowding around flames.

'Meron plan proved itself, we'll improve it next year'

'The plan proved itself, over 100,000 people visited Meron on Lag Ba'omer,' Jerusalem Min. Porush says.

Report:

IDF changed interception protocols due to Jewish holiday

Due to Lag BaOmer bonfires in open areas, IDF changed its policy that states not to intercept missiles in such areas.

Gush Etzion celebrates Lag Ba'omer, honoring founding fathers

Thousands of Gush Etzion residents & Bnei Akiva members attend spectacular closing ceremony of Gush Etzion’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

From the Zohar to the Geula

A look back at Lag Ba'Omer leads to contemplating the connection between Redemption and the kabbalistic Zohar.

Pictures:

Religious Zionist torchlighting ceremony in Meron

Thousands attend Lag B'Omer torchlighting ceremony at the Bnei Akiva compound in Meron.

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Central Lag Ba'Omer celebration of Religious Zionism in Meron

Bonfire lighting with Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi David Dudkevich and Yehoshua Weitzman, together with yeshiva leaders.

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Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed lights bonfire at Beit El Yeshiva

Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed, head of the Beit El Yeshiva, leads bonfire lighting at the Yeshiva with hundreds of students and residents.

Appeal for public assistance locating missing persons in Meron

Three people have gone missing in the Meron area, and never been found. The public celebrating Lag B'Omer there is asked to help find them.

Live: Thousands at Lag Ba'Omer celebration in Meron

Annual celebration held at tomb of Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

Op-Ed:

The incredible wonder of Lag Ba'Omer in Israel

Lag Ba’Omer bonfires show us that the inner light of the Torah can never be extinguished in the depths of our Nation’s soul. Op-ed.

They shall inherit the land forever

What are we raising high to heaven with the flames which flicker determinedly, steadfastly, in an upward direction?

Will there be rain on Lag Ba'omer?

Meteorologists predict colder temperatures, light rainfall, for weekend and eve of Lag Ba'omer.

Lag Ba'omer: Mount Meron capacity expanded to 50,000

United Hatzalah announces completion of preparations for Lag BaOmer festivities in Meron, as police expand site's capacity to 50,000.

Itamar Ben-Gvir: 'Last year I saw suffering in Meron'

Police commend efforts to prepare for Lag Ba'omer in Meron, say staff took 'full responsibility' for the event.

Lag B'omer celebrations transferred to Ministry of Jerusalem

A ministerial meeting saw the responsibilities for the annual celebration in Meron formally moved to the Ministry of Jerusalem.

Hundreds of extremists destroy safety infrastructure at Meron

Police rescue women and children from Rashbi Tomb after extremists break into site, destroy partitions and fences and endanger lives.

United Hatzalah: 47 people treated so far in Meron

United Hatzalah EMS volunteers treat 47 people in Meron, mostly for minor injuries.

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Over 20 thousand at Lag Ba'omer celebrations in Beit Shemesh

Huge crowd led by R' Meilech Biderman dwarfs this year's gathering in Meron.

Lag BaOmer in Meron:

'They kept us there for hours without bathroom facilities'

Travelers to Meron recount horrendous journey with multiple forced "rest stops" in empty fields.

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Rebbe of Boyan opens Lag Ba'omer celebrations

The Rebbe of Boyan lights Meron bonfire as Lag Ba'omer celebration kicks off.

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Firefighters put out improvised bonfire in Meron

Firefighters called to extinguish bonfire that was illegally lit at Lag Ba'omer celebrations in Meron.

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Lighting candles in memory of Meron victims

45 candles lit on Mount Meron in memory of victims of last year's tragedy during Lag Ba'omer celebrations.

Hundreds flock to Africa's oldest synagogue for Lag Ba'omer

Annual pilgrimage to Ghriba synagogue in Djerba resumes after two-year hiatus due to COVID.

Watch: Thousands at Lag Ba'omer celebrations in Meron

Celebrations held under shadow of last year's tragedy in which 45 people were killed.

Australia kicks off Lag Ba'omer celebrations

Australia becomes first in the world to begin Lag Ba'omer celebrations this year - with a tribute to last year's disaster victims in Israel.

Insurance companies won't cover Lag Ba'omer events

Following disaster last year, insurance companies in Israel & abroad refuse to cover Lag Ba'omer events at Mount Meron and other locations.

'The People shall rise up like Lions'-Lag Ba'Omer and Rav Kook

The incredible wonder of Lag Ba’Omer in Israel, where the revival of the Jewish Nation in Israel is a wonder that is impossible to explain.

Lag Ba'Omer and Tikun Olam

What is the best way to make the world a better place. Revolution or Evolution? What was Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's misconception?

Lag B'Omer

Bennett: Follow the rules and stay safe at Meron

Prime Minister Bennett offers holiday greeting ahead of Lag B'Omer, urges visitors to Meron to follow the rules after last year's disaster.

Extremists arrested for seeking to sabotage Meron celebration

Members of extremist haredi sect arrested with tools meant to sabotage communications infrastructure at large Lag B'Omer celebration.

Twenty rabbis beg: Follow instructions

Ahead of Lag Ba'omer holiday, twenty haredi rabbis urge public to avoid conflicts, follow rules set by Meron organizers.

Chief Rabbi: Obey instructions at Meron

Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau says following last year's deadly disaster, visitors to Meron should obey all security instructions.

Emor + Lag BaOmer

Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai will not give up on anything and it is impossible for him to compromise and wait for things to unfold.

'Tickets for Lag Ba'omer event are nearly sold out'

'Not everyone who wants to will be able to come,' Lag Ba'omer project manager Zvika Tesler says.

On Mount Meron, the last of 63 illegal structures is demolished

Over the past year, authorities have worked to demolish 63 dangerous and illegal structures spread across Mount Meron.

Karlin hasidim fighting to increase presence on Mount Meron

Hasidic sect brings engineer in effort to pressure authorities into increasing number of people allowed to participate in Lag Ba'omer event.

Leading rabbi: Don't visit Meron on Lag Ba'omer

'We knowthe government has no help from Heaven, I am very very afraid of what will happen on Lag Ba'omer,' Rabbi David Yosef says.

Police official on Lag Ba'omer: 'We're stretched to the limit'

'We'll know about every bus that leaves & comes, we'll prevent those who shouldn't be there from reaching Mt. Meron,' police official says.

Entry to Meron on Lag Ba'omer to be by travel ticket only

Those wishing to visit Meron on Lag Ba'omer will need to pre-register, limit time spent at the site.

In Meron, hope for things to turn out differently this year

Less than two months to Lag Ba'omer: Mount Meron looks completely different; the structures were demolished & the area has been cleared out.

Buildings at gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai demolished

Following court ruling, State demolishes illegal buildings at site of mass casualty stampede.

Will Lag Ba'omer pilgrims be required to receive special permit?

Legal memorandum will allow Religious Affairs Minister to permit only one bonfire at gravesite of Rashbi on Mount Meron, report says.