Many tragic events occurred centuries later, which coincided with this time period. Between the second day of Pesach and the 34th day of the counting of the omer, 24,000 students of the great Talmudic sage Rabbi Akiva, suddenly died (2). Additionally, many massacres overlapped with this period, including the unsuccessful revolt of Bar Kochva against the Roman Empire, during which thousands of Jews lost their lives. It has therefore become the custom to mourn these tragic events during this perid, by refraining from certain joyous activities (3).

The 33rd day of the omer, known as “Lag Baomer” is a day of great celebration and festivity. On this day, the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying.   Additionally, this day marks the yarzeit (death anniversary) of Rabbi Akiva’s disciple, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, author of the Zohar.  Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai revealed many torah secrets to his students on the last day of his life.  The sun did not set until Rabbi Shimon was finished delivering the secrets of the Torah to his students; as soon as he was finished, the sun set, and he died.  The Zohar says that on the day Rabbi Shimon died, a great light of endless joy filled the day because of the secret wisdom he revealed.  A fire surrounded the house of Rabbi Shimon, preventing anybody but Rabbi Shimon’s students from entering the house.  It has therefore become a custom around the world to light bonfires on this day to commemorate this fire.  Additionally, Lag Baomer is a day of outings, picnics, and the singing of songs about Rabbi Shimon.  Jews in Israel have the custom of visiting the grave of Rabbi Shimon located on Mount Meron.