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ל״ג בָּעוֹמֶר
Lag B'Omer 5786
The 33rd Day of the Omer
Lag B'Omer is the 33rd day of the Omer count between Passover and Shavuot, celebrated on the 18th of Iyar. The Omer period is traditionally a time of semi-mourning, during which weddings, haircuts, and live music are avoided. Lag B'Omer breaks that mourning with joyous celebration. The day marks the yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the great Talmudic sage and mystic credited with authoring the Zohar, the central text of Kabbalah. According to tradition, Rabbi Shimon revealed the deepest secrets of the Torah on this day and instructed his students to celebrate rather than mourn. In Israel, hundreds of thousands gather at his tomb on Mount Meron for bonfires, music, and dancing. Around the world, communities light bonfires, hold outdoor celebrations, and give three-year-old boys their first haircut (upsherin) in a festive ceremony.
Lag B'Omer Traditions
How Jews observe Lag B'Omer around the world.
Lighting bonfires, the most iconic Lag B'Omer tradition, in honor of the spiritual light revealed by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
Pilgrimages to Mount Meron in Israel, the burial site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, where hundreds of thousands gather
Upsherin (chalakeh) ceremonies giving three-year-old boys their first haircut, often at Mount Meron
Outdoor celebrations, picnics, and family gatherings
Playing with bows and arrows, recalling the tradition that no rainbow appeared during Rabbi Shimon's lifetime (the rainbow being a sign of divine displeasure)
Weddings and celebrations resume after the semi-mourning restrictions of the Omer period
Parades and public events organized by Chabad communities worldwide
Lag B'Omer Food Guide
Traditional foods and where to find them.
BBQ and Grilled Meats
Grilling and barbecue are the most popular Lag B'Omer food traditions. Families gather around bonfires and grills for steaks, chicken, burgers, and kebabs.
Find nearbyBonfire-Roasted Foods
Marshmallows, roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, and other bonfire-friendly foods are staples of Lag B'Omer celebrations, especially for children.
Find nearbyOutdoor Picnic Fare
Salads, pita, hummus, grilled vegetables, and fresh fruit are popular at Lag B'Omer outdoor gatherings and picnics, reflecting the holiday's festive, open-air character.
Find nearbyCarob and Honey
Carob is associated with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who according to the Talmud survived on carob and spring water during 13 years of hiding in a cave. Some eat carob on Lag B'Omer to honor this tradition.
Find nearbyKashrut Notes for Lag B'Omer
Lag B'Omer has no special kosher restrictions beyond standard kashrut; it is a minor celebration with no work prohibitions
Grilled and barbecued meats must be kosher-certified and prepared following proper kosher procedures (separate meat and dairy, proper slaughter)
Hot dogs, burgers, and other BBQ staples are widely available in kosher versions from kosher butchers and supermarkets
When grilling, ensure the grill has been kashered or use separate grates for meat if the grill was previously used for non-kosher food
Find Kosher Food for Lag B'Omer
Browse certified kosher restaurants, bakeries, and caterers in your city.
Los Angeles
From Pico-Robertson to the Valley
New York City
The Kosher Capital of America
Miami
Sun, Sand, and Kosher Everything
Chicago
Deep Dish Meets Kosher Tradition
Brooklyn
The Heart of American Jewish Life
Lakewood
America's Fastest-Growing Kosher Hub
Teaneck
The Modern Orthodox Food Capital
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Star-K Country — A Proud Kosher City
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From Rittenhouse to the Main Line
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Texas-Sized Kosher Scene
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Southern Hospitality Meets Kosher Cuisine
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Kosher in the Heart of Texas
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Kosher by the Coast
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Mile-High Kosher Dining
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Desert Oasis for Kosher Food
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Where Tradition Meets Innovation
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Motor City's Kosher Scene
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Heartland Kosher at Its Best
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Pacific Northwest Kosher
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Gateway to Kosher
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Bay Area Kosher Culture
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The Nation's Kosher Capital
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Kosher Hits the Jackpot
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South Florida's Kosher Hub
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Lag B'Omer FAQs
Common questions about Lag B'Omer 5786.
When is Lag B'Omer 2026?
Lag B'Omer 2026 falls on Tuesday, May 12. The celebrations begin at nightfall on Monday, May 11, when bonfires are traditionally lit.
What is Lag B'Omer?
Lag B'Omer is the 33rd day of the Omer count, the 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot. 'Lag' represents the Hebrew letters lamed (30) and gimel (3), totaling 33. The day marks the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the great sage and mystic. It also commemorates the day when a plague that killed 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva ceased.
Why do we light bonfires on Lag B'Omer?
Bonfires on Lag B'Omer honor Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who revealed the deepest mystical secrets of the Torah (the 'inner light') on the day of his passing. The bonfires symbolize the spiritual illumination he brought to the world. In Israel, bonfires are lit across the country, with the largest gatherings at Mount Meron near his burial site in the Galilee.
What is the Omer period?
The Omer is the 49-day count between Passover and Shavuot, commanded in the Torah. During this period, Jewish tradition observes semi-mourning customs: no weddings, haircuts, or live music, in memory of a plague that killed students of Rabbi Akiva. Lag B'Omer, the 33rd day, is a break in this mourning when celebrations, weddings, and haircuts are permitted.
Can you have a wedding on Lag B'Omer?
Yes. Lag B'Omer is one of the most popular days for Jewish weddings because it is the break in the Omer mourning period. Weddings, haircuts, and live music, which are avoided during the Omer, are all permitted on Lag B'Omer. Many couples specifically choose this date for their wedding.
What is an upsherin?
An upsherin (also called chalakeh) is a ceremony in which a Jewish boy receives his first haircut at age three. Many families choose Lag B'Omer for this milestone, especially at Mount Meron. The tradition is rooted in the idea that, like a young tree whose fruit is not harvested for three years (orlah), a boy's hair is left uncut until age three, when he begins formal Jewish education.
Read more about Lag B'Omer
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