Lag b'Omer

In the secular calendar for the year 2011, the holiday of Lag b'Omer fell on May 22. In the Hebrew calendar, Lag b'Omer always falls on 18 Iyar.

Torah teaches us we are obligated to count the days between Passover and Shavu'ot. This period of time is known as Counting the Omer. An Omer is a unit of agriculture measure. Every night from the second night of Passover to the night before Shavu'ot, we say a special blessing and count the omer in both weeks and days. The counting reminds of the link between Passover (the Exodus from Egypt) and Shavu'ot (when we were given the Torah).

The period between Passover and Shavu'ot is a time of mourning. Weddings and parties are not permitted. Men also forego cutting their hair. The holiday of Lag b'Omer is provides a brief respite from the mourning practices.

Lag b'Omer occurs on the 33rd day of the counting of the omer. The word Lag actually means 33, hence the name of the holiday.