Lag BaOmer 2002

Halachic Framework

Lag BaOmer is a customary observance rather than a full festival: there are no work restrictions or special prayer obligations, and Tachanun is generally omitted for the day. The customs below developed through practice and are widely, though not universally, observed.

Customs & Observances

• Lighting bonfires
• Pilgrimage to the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron
• Celebration — lifting the mourning customs of the Omer period
• Children playing with bows and arrows

Greetings & Blessings for Lag BaOmer

Traditional greetings used before, during, and after Lag BaOmer:

• Lag BaOmer Sameach — "A joyous Lag BaOmer"
• Chag Sameach — "A joyous holiday"

בעברית:

• ל"ג בעומר שמח
• חג שמח

About Lag BaOmer

Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the Omer counting (18 Iyar), is a day of celebration marking the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. It is the one day during the Omer period when mourning customs are lifted.

Also known as: Lag B'Omer

Jewish holidays begin at sunset on the evening before the date shown and conclude at nightfall (when three medium stars are visible) on the final day. In the Diaspora, major Torah festivals are observed for two days (Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), while in Israel they are observed for one day.