Lag Ba'Omer

Haredi editorial declares: 'Secularism will not survive'

Hamevaser frames Meron pilgrimage as symbol of enduring Torah tradition amid rising tensions over national identity and yeshiva draft debate.

Jerusalem thoroughfare transformed by joyful Lag Ba'omer parade

Over 1,000 children and their parents join colorful procession led by Chabad’s Rabbi Yisrael Goldberg, replacing protests with Torah, unity, and celebration in honor of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

For Lag Ba'Omer:

Life Is a Wedding: The finite as a portal to the infinite

Why Reb Shimon ben Yoachai's passing came to be known as a "Wedding,"

For Lag Ba'Omer:

Eretz Yisrael and the Secrets of Torah: Introduction to the Zohar

The Talmud teaches that it is impossible to come to the Land of Israel without difficulties and suffering. Learning the secrets of Torah is the remedy. Read

Ahead of Lag Ba'omer:

Jerusalem teen indicted for sabotaging safety infrastructure

19-year-old accused of extensive vandalism to security and emergency systems meant to protect Lag Ba'omer pilgrims arrested after hiding in Tzfat warehouse.

Tunisia:

Jewish man attacked with axe days before El-Ghriba pilgrimage

Jewish jeweler wounded in an axe attack on Tunisia’s Djerba Island just days ahead of the Lag Ba’Omer pilgrimage to the ancient El-Ghriba synagogue. Motive remains unclear.

Due to risk of fires:

Israel bans bonfires - including on Lag Ba'omer

Israel Fire and Rescue Authority bans bonfires nationwide due to extreme weather conditions.

Committee appoints Meir Porush to head Meron Lag Ba'omer prep

Following declaration of Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, committee elects Jerusalem Minister Meir Porush to lead preparations for the Lag Ba'omer celebrations in Meron.

Tunisia:

US, French diplomats pay tribute to victims of Djerba attack

Diplomats from the United States and France visit Ghriba synagogue on Tunisia's Djerba island to commemorate a deadly attack there during Lag Ba'Omer celebrations last year.

Watch:

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.

Difficult to watch:

Police violence in Meron: Elderly man thrown on the floor

Footage released Sunday evening shows police officers pushing elderly individual, throwing him to the ground.

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.

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.

Watch:

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: 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: 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.'

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.

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.

From the Zohar to the Geula

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

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.

Watch:

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.

Watch:

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.

Live: Thousands at Lag Ba'Omer celebration in Meron

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

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.

United Hatzalah: 47 people treated so far in Meron

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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?

'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.

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.

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.'