Saturday, June 14th 2025   |

Lag B’Omer

Celebrate!

By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER

During the “Sefirah” period between Passover and Shavuot (especially until Lag B’Omer, celebrated this Sunday), it is customary to eschew joyful celebrations… in particular, those that include live music. Most notably, we avoid scheduling weddings...

Tunisia’s Jewish pilgrimage and Tuesday’s shooting, explained

By BEN SALES

(JTA) — When a security official opened fire outside a Tunisian synagogue during a pilgrimage on Tuesday night, killing two Jewish pilgrims and two security guards, he shattered what was meant to be a day of sacred...

5 killed, including 2 Jewish pilgrims, in shooting attack on historic Tunisian synagogue

By RON KAMPEAS

(JTA) — A gunman killed five people in an attack on an ancient synagogue in Tunisia, during an annual pilgrimage that attracts thousands of Jews and is seen as a rare instance of Jewish partnership with an...

New security measures greet masses arriving at Meron for Lag B’Omer

– Hundreds of thousands of Jewish worshippers were expected to ascend Mount Meron in the Upper Galilee on Monday night for the Lag B’Omer holiday, where new security measures are in place two years after 45 people died in...

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

By BEN SALES

(JTA) — After months of distanced learning, Sharon Levin was excited for her school to celebrate Lag B’Omer together on Friday with a day of outdoor activities.

The spring holiday, which is popular among students at Jack...

Lag

By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER

Lag B’Omer (that is, the 33rd day of the Omer), observed today, is a minor festival… and a cheerful break from the mournful, 49-day “Sefirah” period between Passover and Shavuot.

Some identify the holiday’s origins...

Netanyahu declares national day of mourning as tragedy strikes during Lag B’Omer in Meron

(JNS) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a national day of mourning for Sunday over the disaster that took place at a massive Lag B’Omer gathering at the foot of Mount Meron on Friday morning.

Dozens of people were...

What is Israel’s Mount Meron and why were so many Orthodox Jews gathered there for the Lag B’Omer holiday?

By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ

(JTA) — “If you haven’t seen the joy of Lag B’Omer on the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, you haven’t seen joy at all,” wrote the author Shmuel Yosef Agnon, Israel’s first Nobel Prize laureate.

That...

President Rivlin spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah, others after Meron tragedy

(JERUSALEM) – President Reuven “Ruvi” Rivlin spoke on the telephone today with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, who called to express his condolences on behalf of the Jordanian people following the massive loss of life and injuries sustained...

UPDATE: At least 44 Israelis reported dead and 150 wounded in likely stampede at mass Lag b’Omer holiday celebration

By BEN SALES

(JTA) — Over 44 Israelis were declared dead and 150 were wounded, six critically and 18 in serious condition, following a stampede and possible roof collapse at a mass haredi Orthodox celebration for the Jewish holiday of...