Tragedy in Israel: How is Lag Bahomer, the holiday in which at least 45 people died

At least 45 people, among them a young Argentinian, dead after stampede that happened last night during an Orthodox Jewish pilgrimage to the north of the country, the most massive event since the start of the pandemic.

The Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer takes place in the town of Meron, around the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yojai, a 2nd century Talmudist who is credited with writing the Zohar, a central work of Jewish mysticism. It is a joyous holiday commemorating the end of a devastating epidemic among students at a Talmudic school as 24,000 students died.

On the other hand, during this feast, the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yojai himself, who, before dying, asked his students to make this day a happy celebration.

During yesterday’s pilgrimage, the authorities authorized the presence of 10,000 people in the grave grounds, but organizers say more than 650 buses have been chartered across the country, representing at least 30,000 people. However, the local press estimated the participation of 100,000 people. It was the largest organized event in the country since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Lag Baomer occurs on the 33rd according to Omer’s count, a calculation made between the Jewish holidays of Passover and Shavuot. During this date, thousands of people have celebrated since ancient times by going into the woods with bows and arrows, making big bonfires.

Bonfires are lit at the Lag b’Omer party to represent the spiritual light that can be found in the mystical teachings of the Torah. The holiday is also linked in Jewish tradition to Bar Kokhba’s revolt against the Romans in the 1st century AD.

Although the festival is celebrated by devotees all over the world, pilgrims to Mount Meron do. in the hope of receiving the blessings of the rabbi on the anniversary of his death.

THE NATION