Lag Ba'omer

The new plan for Lag Ba'omer on Mount Meron

Following Home Front Command's updated guidelines, Israel moves to create new plan for central Lag Ba'omer celebrations on Mount Meron.

Home Front Command restricts gatherings in northern Israel

Ahead of the Lag Ba'omer holiday, the Home Front Command releases new guidelines reducing the number of participants at open-air gatherings in northern Israel.

Meron on Lag Ba'omer: Up to 1,500 people in each area

New plan limits Meron Lag Ba'omer gatherings to capped groups with timed entry, aiming to preserve tradition while ensuring safety under current security restrictions.

Appeal to bar sex offender Rabbi from Lag B'Omer ceremony

The Movement for Quality Government has demanded that Rabbi Eliezer Berland and the Shuvu Banim community be barred from participating in the Lag BaOmer bonfire lightings in Meron.

Nationwide ban on Lag Ba'omer bonfires amid fire risk

Nationwide restrictions take effect ahead of Lag Ba'omer, allowing fires only in designated areas as authorities deploy forces to prevent wildfires.

Mass-casualty concerns

Netanyahu cancels Lag Ba’Omer Meron celebrations

The decision follows security assessments and updated Home Front Command restrictions limiting gatherings in the Meron area and nearby communities close to the Lebanese border.

Lag B'Omer celebrations in Meron due to be cancelled

Government ministries have been instructed to pause preparations for the mass Lag B'Omer celebrations at Meron due to fears of renewed fighting. Ticket sales have been halted.

The Meron pilgrimage crisis has been resolved

The crisis surrounding the Meron pilgrimage has been resolved after the state committed to covering any payment or fine imposed on the Committee of Five in connection with the upcoming Lag BaOmer event.

Meron pilgrimage at risk?

The Israel Police announced that, at this stage, no approval will be given for holding the annual pilgrimage on Lag BaOmer due to serious delays in safety work at the Tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

Djerba pilgrimage to welcome more worshippers

Organizers announce that this year’s Jewish pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue on Tunisia’s Djerba island will be open to everyone after two years of scaled-down events due to safety fears.

New 'Meron Law' aims to save lives of Meron pilgrims

The law aims to regulate the mass Lag BaOmer celebrations in Meron, while imposing restrictions and safety guidelines to protect the tens of thousands of worshippers who visit the site each year.

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.

From Lebanon to Gaza:

Haredi soldiers celebrate Lag B'Omer

Netzach Yehuda haredi soldiers celebrate Lag B'Omer in honor of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai near the Gaza border, 'warriors with a great soul.'

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,"

Lag Ba'omer: When the soul is bound to G-d

It is taught that on the day of his passing, Rabbi Shimon taught secrets of the Torah that had never been heard before.

Debris from Houthi missile falls in Alon Shvut

Arrow 3 system intercepts missile launched from Yemen in attack on the night of Lag Ba'Omer.

Watch live:

Thousands celebrate Lag Ba'Omer in Meron

Lag B'Omer festivities kick off with the bonfire lighting by the Boyaner Rebbe at the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron, northern Israel.

The unique light of Lag Ba'Omer

This ability, to see the good even in something that appears faulty, is what God demanded of Moses before he could redeem Israel, and likewise of Isaiah. When Rachel saw this trait in Akiva, she chose to marry him.

For Lag Ba'Omer:

Self-Sacrifice in our generation

Not only Rashbi, but all those who follow in his path throughout the generations, especially in our generation, the generation of revival and the ingathering of exiles - whether they are aware of it or not - are sustained by the merit of his and their self-sacrifice.

Meron prepares for Lag B’Omer with enhanced safety measures

Lag B'Omer celebrations in Meron begin Thursday evening with major safety reforms in place, key lessons learned from 2021 tragedy.

Days Before Lag B'Omer:

Missing person cases spike in Meron region

As throngs of pilgrims ascend to Meron for Lag B'Omer, the Israel Dog Unit has been rushing to locate missing persons in the woods around the city.

For Lag Ba'Omer

Reminiscences and reflections on Lag Ba’Omer and its lessons

The pernicious disease of disrespect continues to infect our times. Disdain of others can also lead to demonization and baseless hatred of the sort that led to the destruction of the Second Temple. Let us overcome it.

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 B'Omer

MDA issues safety guide for pilgrimage at Meron

Following the 2021 Meron Disaster, MDA urges the public to adhere to safety precautions.

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.

Lag B'Omer:

Visitors to be allowed only five hours in Meron

The Ministry of Transport clarified today that in order to ensure the safety of the thousands of worshippers in Meron, visitors will be allowed to stay in the Meron compound on Lag BaOmer for up to 5 hours.

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.

Rabbi injured in Meron:

'The policeman pushed me forcefully and I fell on my face'

"My entire face hurt and they gave me stitches in the hospital," Rabbi Avraham Kroizer recounted. When asked if he would forgive the policeman, he responded: "If he repents, then by all means."

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.

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.

Police force hundreds out of Meron

Police have stopped buses full of passengers trying to reach Meron and forced dozens of worshipers out of Meron after they began destroying police barricades.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.