Lag BaOmer

Culture of origin: Jewish · Cultural

Holiday sources: Iran · Israel · Judaism

Lag BaOmer, 'the 33rd day of the Omer', falls on 18 Iyar. By medieval rabbinic tradition the plague that killed 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva's students ended that day, so for some communities the Omer's mourning period ends with it. It is also the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, whose tomb at Meron draws pilgrims, and it recalls the Bar Kokhba revolt against Rome.