Lag Ba'omer

In the shadow of tragedy:

New plan for Lag Ba'omer in Meron unveiled

Number of visitors limited to 20,000 instead of a half-million, private vehicles will be barred from site.

'Maintain just one bonfire on Mount Meron'

'Every year the gathering grows, the mountain has become too small to hold that number of people,' police superintendent says in testimony.

Rabbi: 'Lag Ba'omer bonfires at Meron are idolatry'

Rabbi Eliyahu Abergel, leading Jerusalem rabbi, says Lag Ba'omer bonfires 'have no benefit, the sages of the world opposed it.'

Tragedies and humanity

Tragedies occur on a regular basis in all human societies, and they have done so since the beginning of recorded human history. Op-ed.

This is how Jewish day schools balanced Lag Ba'omer with tragedy

At Jewish day schools, principals struggle with how to celebrate Lag b’Omer and commemorate the tragedy at Meron.

Who was Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai whose grave is in Meron?

What made Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's grave the pilgrimage site for hundreds of thousands on Lag Ba'Omer?

44 people killed in huge crowd crush in Meron

At least 44 killed, dozens more injured in mass crowd crush during Lag Ba'Omer celebrations in Meron.

Watch: Lag Ba'Omer in Djerba

Jewish community in Tunisia celebrates Lag Ba'Omer with a special prayer in the Djerba synagogue.

Lag Ba'Omer & the hidden Torah of the Hebrew mission

How does the Jewish people's national story help human history attain its goal?

'One of Israel's worst disasters. People were crushed to death'

Dov Maisel, Director of Operations at United Hatzalah, on Meron tragedy: One of Israel’s worst disasters, I have no words.

Documentation of disaster in Meron

Watch: Moment of tragedy during Lag Ba'Omer celebrations in Meron.

'We all pray for the healing of the victims'

Israeli leaders respond to the tragedy during Lag Ba’Omer celebrations in Meron, in which 50 people were injured.

Arabs and Jews celebrate Lag Ba'Omer, Ramadan together in Dubai

Arabs from the United Arab Emirates and Israeli Jews celebrated Ramadan and Lag Ba'Omer together at a special ceremony in Dubai

Man in critical condition after collapsing at Meron

Man in his 60s collapses at Rashbi's grave in Meron ahead of Lag B'Omer.

Watch Live:

Hundreds of thousands at Meron for Lag Ba'omer

Clashes between visitors to Meron and security forces ahead of mass Lag Ba'omer celebrations; two are arrested.

Watch historic event: Gulf ambassadors join Jewish communities

Ambassadors from three countries hold first joint Lag Ba'omer/ Iftar celebration with Jewish communities in the Gulf.

The spirit of Israel is the spirit of Rabbi Akiva and Rashbi

Oz Torah: The paradoxes of Lag Ba'Omer, the story of a Jewish Pope and the Torah's view of cosmetic surgery.

Participate in the Hillullah of the Rashbi

And anyone who was there . . . his soul and his entire being were enthralled in the experience and yearn to once again see this great sight.

Rabbi Edelstein: 'We do not travel to Meron'

Leading Lithuanian-haredi rabbi calls on followers not to travel to Meron on Lag Ba'omer. 'We do not travel; we sit and learn.'

Lag Ba'Omer 5781

This semi-holiday is utterly unique in the calendar of the Jewish people.because it commemmorates a passive event.

Chief rabbi urges: Come to Meron early, leave for home early

Rabbi David Lau, Chief Rabbi of Israel, calls on public to leave Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's gravesite early on Friday.

Rabbi Akiva and Lag Ba'Omer

Who were the students of Rabbi Akiva that we should mourn their deaths so many centuries later?

Rabbis: 'Traveling to Meron? Not on Friday'

Rabbinic council calls on Lag Ba'omer pilgrims to arrive in Meron Thursday evening, leave early Friday morning, to avoid Shabbat descration.

R. Yehuda Bar Elai's celebrations return after more than a year

Staff at the holy site commemorating R. Yehuda Bar Elai are preparing to broadcast his memorial celebration to Jews around the world.

Haredi MK: 'I have no complaints against Religious Zionism'

Dep. Ed. Min. Porush says Religious Zionism made 'a commitment to voters' not to join Arab-supported gov't. 'I have no complaints.'

Ahead of Lag Ba'omer, PM Netanyahu meets haredi MKs

Police have not yet been issued updates on restrictions on gatherings in Meron over Lag Ba'omer, UTJ MKs say.

United Hatzalah completes emergency preparations for Lag Ba'omer

United Hatzalah completes preparations for safeguarding Lag Ba'omer event at Meron.

Interior Minister: 'No limits on Lag Ba'omer pilgrimage'

'Infection rates are low, no reason to limit number of people in an open area,' Interior Min. Deri says.

A virtual tour in heritage sites for American students

Live broadcast offering virtual tour of Israel's historic sites 'meant the world' to quarantined students, Manhattan teacher says.

Hundreds of extremists break into Meron after Lag B'Omer

Extremists wait for police presence at Rashbi's tomb to begin to be reduced to break into holy site at end of Lag B'Omer.

Rashbi - The special power to look deeply inside yourself

The power of Rashbi to see the pure essence of any Jewish soul is probably the main reason that millions of Jews visit his grave every year

Drone show over the skies of Ramat Gan

36 drones create shapes over the city of Ramat Gan in honor of the holiday of Lag B'Omer.

Large crowds gather at bonfires contrary to guidelines

Netanyahu orders that crowds around Lag B'Omer bonfires in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh be dispersed.

Free Prayers in Meron through Yad L'Achim on Lag B'Omer

Have your names submitted for tefillah in Meron on the holy day of Lag B’Omer.

Secret of the Zohar

Author Tzvi Fishman insists Torah learning is greatest light there is and offers his new book, Secret of the Zohar, as a free download.

Live:

Lag Ba'Omer festivities in Meron commence

Lag Ba'omer events take place this year subject to Health Ministry directives.

Watch: Police block roads to Meron

Police begin extensive enforcement operation to prevent banned gathering at Rashbi tomb in Meron during pandemic.

MDA forces deployed in Meron

Magen David Adom teams will arrive with two buses, ambulances, intensive care vehicles, command vehicles and other emergency vehicles.

'Those who do not value Meron should not preach morality'

UTJ MK criticizes fellow party member for calling for MKs not to visit Meron on Lag B'Omer this year.

Lag Ba'Omer in Meron:

Religious Zionism completes bonfire preparations

This year due to pandemic there will be limited number of bonfires with only 50 participants; Lighting to be broadcast live on Arutz Sheva.

Reclaiming Lag Ba'Omer

There is no halakhic significance to lighting bonfires, but there are strong halakhic injunctions to protect the environment.

Fines, checkpoints and arrests on road to Meron

2,000 police officers deployed to prevent mass Lag B'Omer gathering at Meron amid coronavirus concerns. Only 3 bonfires to be allowed.

Meron residents ask government to permit Lag Ba'omer rentals

Residents of northern town where Lag Ba'omer celebrations are traditionally held ask government to cancel COVID-19 restrictions on rentals.

Jerusalem preschools to open on Lag Ba'omer

Beit Shemesh Mayor Aliza Bloch calls on government to decide whether preschools should open on Lag Ba'omer, says parent pressure is 'wrong.'

MDA preparing for this year's limited Lag BaOmer events at Meron

Amid coronavirus pandemic, medical teams preparing for scaled-down festivities at Meron in northern Israel.

Government approves restrictions for Lag B'Omer

The lighting of bonfires will be prohibited from tomorrow until after Lag B'Omer. Renting out guest houses will be prohibited at Meron.

Time Is Running Out!

Can't make it to Meron this year? Send Alei Siach your names

Every year thousands come from all over the world to Meron. This year however is different. Alei Siach will pray on your behalf

Government considering full closure on Lag B'Omer

National Security Council recommends full closure on Lag B'Omer holiday to prevent coronavirus outbreak during festivities.

Strict Lag B'Omer restrictions

By Health Ministry and NSC recommendation, bonfires across country, except for three major centers, is banned.

Lag B'Omer and the holiday's mystical secrets

The Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer celebrates Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. He revealed the Zohar - the book of Kabbalah - during Roman times.

Watch: Lag Ba'omer celebrations at Beit El yeshiva

Yeshiva Head Rabbi Zalman Melamed opens celebrations with traditional torch-lighting, after which students and locals commence dancing.

Lag Ba'Omer: The secrets of the bonfire

Judy Simon delves into Lag Ba'Omer and the bonfires. Gather round, Secrets revealed.

Lag Ba’omer vs. Eurovision: The blessings and the curses

The rise of anti-Semitism and the curse of Exile.

Watch: Lag Ba'omer celebrations in Meron

Tens of thousands arrive at burial place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for Lag Ba'omer torch-lighting and celebration.

Jerusalem municipality begins dismantling bonfires

Dozens of would-be bonfires dismantled by Jerusalem municipality due to weather-induced safety concerns.

Chief rabbis: 'Reduce the number of Lag Ba'omer bonfires'

'Obey the instructions of rescue forces and avoid lighting fires in dangerous places,' chief rabbis say, ahead of expected heat wave.

Extreme heat wave towards end of week

On Lag Ba'omer, bonfire holiday, temperatures expected to hit 104F prompt general bonfire ban.

Lag Ba'Omer and weddings

Will the Fire and Rescue Authority ban all Lag Ba'omer bonfires?

Heat wave may force Fire and Rescue Authority to ban all bonfires, due to the risk of flames spreading out of control.

No fires in public parks on Lag B'Omer due to heat wave

Lag B'Omer, a day when Israelis and Jews worldwide traditionally light bonfires, is on Wednesday night and Thursday of this week.