There's never a dull moment in Israel; there's always something special going on! Last week we had the consecutive-day observances of Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha'atzama'ut (Independence Day) keeping us busy. This week, once Shabbat had ended, I noticed bonfires being lit every evening, all over Ashqelon. What's the occasion? The minor holiday of Lag Ba'omer will be this coming Sunday, and apparently many of the locals don't wish to wait.
(I call Lag Ba'omer a 'minor holiday' not to say it isn't important. That designation refers to there being no prohibitions on work on that day, as there are on the 'major' holidays.)
Lag Ba'omer refers to the 33rd day of the Omer. The latter is a counting of the days from the second day of Pesach, through the day before Shavu'ot: 49 days total, or a 'week' of weeks. Strictly speaking, the Omer originated in a daily grain offering brought to the temple during the seven weeks leading up to the festival of Shavu'ot (which name means 'weeks.') Since we don't have a Temple to which to bring offerings today, we remember the practice with the 'offering' of counting the days. Many contemporary spiritual leaders use the Counting of the Omer as an opportunity to offer daily lessons for spiritual growth for their followers. In the last two years, I responded to a challenge from a member of my congregation in Australia, to post a daily challenging thought for the period of the Omer; you can find the postings on my old blog, rabbidoninoz.blogspot.com. Since I'm in retirement (or at least, a semi-retirement) I decided not to continue the practice this year.
Another aspect of the period of the Counting of the Omer, is that it is a period of semi-mourning. In antiquity, 24,000 of the students of the great sage, Rabbi Akiva, died of a plague during the first 32 days of the Omer. The plague ceased on the 33rd day, leaving Akiva with five surviving students. One of those was Shim'on Bar Yochai, who in traditional circles is credited as the author of the Zohar, the most important book of Jewish mysticism. Lag Ba'omer (Lamed Gimel is the equivalent of 33 in Jewish Gematria) was ultimately the Hilula (Yahrzeit, or death-day) of Bar Yochai. In Jewish tradition, the death-day of great figures is actually celebrated after a time: a celebration of that person's contributions. Since Bar Yochai is credited with the Zohar, you can understand why his Yahrzeit is a particularly joyous occasion. Anyway, many traditionalist Jews observe the various customs of mourning during the Counting of the Omer. For example, they will not play joyous music, dance, shave, cut their hair, or get married. But on Lag Ba'omer, a big party is called for and all mourning is stopped. But why are bonfires lit? Because Bar Yochai's legacy left a great light to illuminate the path of righteousness for Jews throughout eternity.
Contemporary Israelis are as impatient as any other people! Therefore, bonfires are popping up all over, in advance of the holiday. Perhaps they're for my benefit, since I won't be here in Israel on Sunday. Hey, you never know!
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