LAG B’ 5769

Lag B’Omer is celebrated on the 18 th day of , corresponding this year to May 12, 2009. Lag B’Omer literally means, the 33 rd day of the omer. According to the (Lev. 23:15), we count the days from to Shavu'ot . This period is known as the Counting of the Omer, Sefirat haOmer . An omer is a unit of measure. On the second day of Passover, in the days of the Temple, an omer of was cut down and brought to the Temple as an offering. This grain offering was referred to as the omer. Every night, from the second night of Passover to the night before Shavu'ot, we recite a blessing and state the count of the omer in both weeks and days. The counting is intended to remind us of the link between Passover, which commemorates , and Shavu'ot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah. It reminds us that the redemption from slavery was not complete until we received the Torah.

This period is also a time of partial mourning in memory of a plague during the lifetime of Akiva, which was said to have killed thousands of his students. There are those who say that these students were killed in Bar Kochva’s revolt against the Romans, in which was a major figure. These two explanations of the origins of the holiday are reflected in our celebrations today. Bonfires are a Lag B’Omer tradition because they are an ancient symbol of war. The plague explanation is reflected in the choice of date because it represented a break in the plague, so mourning practices , such as refraining from celebrations, are lifted on that date.

Celebrating Lag B’Omer

Lag B’Omer is special in that the prohibitions of the omer period are suspended for the day. In , it is a time of dancing and singing. Families go on picnics and outings, play games, shoot bows and arrows, and have bonfires.

Here at PJA we will celebrate Lag B’Omer on Tuesday May 12. Teachers will be reading stories and learning about the holiday with their students. There will be a Lag B’Omer jog-a-thon during the morning, and some Lag B’Omer treats will be shared in different classrooms.

In addition to our school celebration, of Oregon hosts a community Lag B’Omer celebration at Alpenrose Dairy Tuesday evening, May 12 starting at 5:30 PM. Please join the community in celebrating this day.