Whether you are looking for videos, crafts, explanations, or more, jkidphilly is your one-stop-shop for all things Lag B’Omer.
Come for the bonfire;
stay for the fun opportunity to be active outdoors!
About Lag B’Omer
Lag B’Omer is a playful Jewish holiday that takes place in the springtime. Using gematria, a system of associating each Hebrew letter with a number, the letters of “Lag” add up to 33. “B’Omer” means “of the Omer,” the Omer being the forty-nine day period between Passover and Shavuot. Thus, Lag B’Omer is the thirty-third day of this period.
Lag B’Omer is traditionally celebrated with festive picnics and bonfires. It’s also a time for weddings and first haircuts. The Talmud, an ancient source of Jewish law and custom, says Lag B’Omer celebrates the halt of a plague that took the lives of thousands of students of the great teacher Rabbi Akiva. Other sources say Lag B’Omer celebrates a victory for the armies of the Jewish leader Bar Kochba. Some associate Lag B’Omer with stories about Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a student of Rabbi Akiva and writer of an important Jewish text.
Lag B’Omer is sometimes called the scholars’ holiday in honor of the sages who braved harsh Roman punishment to teach Torah. Stories tell us that eager students pretended to go on outings or go hunting in order to find hidden learning places. Bows and arrows are therefore part of many celebrations.
Everything you wanted to know about Lag B’Omer — and more!
- Get the lowdown on Lag B’Omer.
- Read these stories to learn about Lag B’Omer centuries ago and today!
- Learn about counting the omer and make your own omer counter, or use this one.
Crafts and games for a super fun Lag B’Omer
- Check out the jkidphilly calendar to see upcoming Lag B’Omer events.
- Make a bonfire out of modeling clay, paper, paint, or pompoms!
- Craft your own bow and arrows (great for older kids).
Celebrate Lag B’Omer with your stomach!
- Make an edible Lag B’Omer bonfire
- Use these recipes to learn about the history and meaning of Lag B’Omer
- Make s’mores 5 ways!
Videos for all ages
- Sit around the campfire with jkidphilly!
- Learn about Rabbi Akiva and his connection to Lag B’Omer
- How do you celebrate Lag B’Omer? Watch and find out!
Looking for more ways to celebrate? Here are some ideas from Jewish Learning Venture staff!
When Elana was a kid, she celebrated Lag Ba’Omer at her school or with friends with a day of silly outside games and relay races (like carrying an egg on a spoon across a field). And the day always ended with s’mores.
char loves getting together with friends around a bonfire, studying the many stories associated with Lag B’Omer, and making lots of jokes about laser vision.
Julia didn’t begin celebrating Lag B’Omer until she had kids: her kids loved s’mores-making and running around with their friends at shul!
Robin first learned about Lag B’Omer when she started working for jkidphilly; these days she always celebrates it with Drag Storytime and S’mores over tiny bonfires with jkidpride and jkidphilly families!
Robyn likes to celebrate L’ag B’Omer with her synagogue with a barbeque and family fun activities!
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