Omer

Celebrating Lag Ba’omer, a heroic chapter in Jewish history - opinion

During Bar Kochba’s revolt against the Romans, a terrible epidemic struck Rabbi Akiva’s students, and 24,000 men lost their lives. The epidemic suddenly stopped on Lag Ba’omer.

|ByDVORA WAYSMAN
The real festivities begin when a huge bonfire is lit at midnight on Lag Ba'omer.
An illustration signifying the importance of smaller steps as you climb a figurative ladder.

Lag Ba'Omer 2025 will act as vehicle to express prayers for hostages, soldiers, all Jews - opinion

Beyond the Headlines: A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news

|BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR
During his rebellion, Bar Kochba reinstituted the practice of using bonfires to signal the new lunar month

Lag Ba’omer celebrates life with carob, haircuts, and bonfires - opinion

The Lag Ba’omer tradition of children playing with bows and arrows is associated with the Bar Kochba revolt. Rabbi Akiva’s students likely died fighting the Romans, not from the plague.

|ByRONALD EISENBERG
HARVESTING WHEAT in a field near Rehovot.

Counting the Omer: A journey from Passover to Shavuot

The pilgrimage festival of Shavuot at the conclusion of the Omer period was in thanksgiving for God’s blessing and protection of the land and its produce.

|ByRONALD EISENBERG

How my shingles reminded me every day counts

This is Israel, so everyone is willing to share their interesting life stories with someone like me who is always interested.

MAY 6, 2021ByBARBARA SOFER
ANOTHER PERK of living in Israel: All the hospital food is kosher

The Omer: The 49 steps to enlightenment

Just as the world of nature in this spring season is coming into bloom, so does the Omer provide a framework for rebirth.

APRIL 22, 2021ByMORDECHAI BECK
Memorial Tablet and Omer Calendar (Google Art Project.jpg) by Baruch Zvi Ring (circa 1872 -1927)

Dance of the Omer: How to improve your life by counting the Omer

“Each day has a teaching and exercise to help ground the teaching and propel one along the path of transformation and growth. It is a very experiential book."

APRIL 15, 2021ByRIVKAH LAMBERT ADLER
HARVESTING WHEAT in a field near Rehovot.

Omer app offers religious Jews an easy way to count during coronavirus

APRIL 15, 2020ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Omer counter

Counting the Omer: Obsession or longing?

Counting the Omer is not about obsessing over not missing a night - it's about anticipating the festival of Shavuot.

JUNE 6, 2019ByLEVI COOPER
GRAVESITE OF the Rema.