How can one day remind us of Judaism’s links to Kabbalah? Be a time to dance surrounded by a time to mourn? And also be the time for an Israeli pilgrimage that is reminiscent of Woodstock? Lag b’Omer is all of those things. The seven-week period between Passover and Shavuot is a time of semi-mourning, but on the 33rd day, Lag b’Omer, weddings are permitted and the day is celebrated with bonfires and parties. This year, Lag b’Omer falls on Sunday, May 2.

If Lag b’Omer is identified with one person, then it must be Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Rabbi Shimon was a student of Rabbi Akiva whose 24,000 students perished during the Roman conquest of Jerusalem 1,900 years ago because, as the Talmud tells us, “they did not show proper respect for each other.” [bit.ly/omer18]

Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was one of the very few scholars to survive. The Aish Hatorah website explains how he and his son sought refuge and studied Torah in a cave for 12 years. Rabbi Shimon is believed to have died on Lag b’Omer but just before his death, he revealed to his students the Zohar, Judaism’s great kabbalistic work. bit.ly/omer19

And the bonfires that mark the day? Ohr Somayach explains that “on the day of Rabbi Shimon’s passing, a great light was revealed to his students when he uncovered many of the hidden secrets of the Torah. This was written down in the Zohar (lit. “shining”). The bonfires symbolize the light of the hidden wisdom that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai revealed on Lag b’Omer.” [bit.l0y/omer20]

Some of the biggest bonfires take place in Meron, a small town in northern Israel. Meron is also believed to be the burial place of Rabbi Shimon; so every year, it becomes the focus of a mass pilgrimage. Here’s how Judith Fein describes her visit. “Was this Meron or Woodstock?… The town was like an Orthodox carnival. From makeshift booths, vendors sold crafts, religious objects, clothes, books, dates, nuts and soft drinks. Families camped out in tents. Men with long beards asked for charity or offered blessings. According to tradition, if a couple cannot conceive a child, on Lag b’Omer, the man distributes drinks until he has served 18 bottles of wine to cure the barrenness. In the street, young men pressed glasses of wine on us. We drank, of course. It would be rude not to honour their desire for children.” [bit.ly/omer21]

As you ponder how to mark the day, you can peek in to dozens of videos of Lag b’Omer bonfires and celebrations, too. [bit.ly/omer23] The Jewish Theological Seminary’s Lag b’Omer site focuses on kids. In addition to the history of the day, there are rabbinic tales and essays to spark discussions. [bit.ly/omer28] Over at Orthodox Union, there are links to a Lag b’Omer poem and an explanation why the day is associated with playing bows and arrows. [bit.ly/omer25]

For many Israelis, Lag b’Omer is a great day to get out, have a picnic and throw a few potatoes on the fire. Joni Schockett’s menu is a bit more exotic. It includes Stuffed Grape Leaves and Focaccia with Tomatoes, Feta and Garlic. [bit.ly/omer29] Daniel Rogov’s picnic boasts Spinach Salad with Honey and Oranges followed by Chicken and Artichoke Salad topped off by Arak Cookies. [bit.ly/omer30] And then there’s a Mediterranean Lag b’Omer menu with Sangria, Chilled Almond Soup with Grapes, Broiled Chicken with Garlic Sauce and more. [bit.ly/omer31]

While you’re feasting at your picnic, why not break into a rendition of a traditional tune? Lag b’Omer songs may not be as famous as Pesach or Purim melodies but they do exist. So, if you really want to impress the folks over at the next bonfire, brush up on holiday songs from Tunisia, Greece, Iraq and Galicia. [bit.ly/omer32]

Mark Mietkiewicz is a Toronto-based Internet producer who writes, lectures and teaches about the Jewish Internet. He can be reached at [email protected].