ל"ג בעומר
Lag BaOmer 2016
Find the exact dates for Lag BaOmer 2016 (5776), including when it begins and ends.
When is Lag BaOmer 2016?
Observed on
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Lag BaOmer is observed on the 18th of Iyar, the 33rd day of the Omer counting period, typically falling in May.
Significance
Lag BaOmer celebrates the end of the plague among Rabbi Akiva's students and the mystical teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lag BaOmer
Bonfires on Lag BaOmer symbolize the spiritual light brought by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai through his mystical teachings in the Zohar. Before his death on this date, he revealed the deepest secrets of the Torah, filling the day with great spiritual light.
The semi-mourning restrictions of the Omer period (no weddings, haircuts, or live music) are lifted on Lag BaOmer because it marks the day the plague among Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students ceased. Three-year-old boys traditionally receive their first haircut (upsherin) on this day.
About Lag BaOmer in 2016
Lag BaOmer (ל"ג בעומר) dates change each year because Jewish holidays follow the Hebrew lunisolar calendar.
For more about Lag BaOmer including its history, customs, and traditions, see our comprehensive guide. Learn more about Lag BaOmer