Why Lag BaOmer Is a Day of Celebration

Lag BaOmer, observed on the 33rd day of the Omer count (18th of Iyar), is an annual day of celebration deeply tied to the life and teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Rashbi). Unlike most yahrzeit observances, which are marked by mourning, this day is filled with music, bonfires, dancing, and pilgrimage to Mount Meron, where Rashbi is buried. The reason: Rabbi Shimon requested that the day of his death be celebrated, as it marked the completion of his spiritual mission on earth—the revelation of the Zohar, the foundational text of Kabbalah.

Revealing the Zohar in Hiding

Rabbi Shimon lived under Roman persecution and was condemned for teaching Torah. Forced into hiding, he and his son spent twelve years in a cave, surviving only on water and carobs. In that time, Rashbi reached extraordinary spiritual levels and composed the Zohar, unveiling mystical layers of the Torah that had remained hidden since the time of the prophets. According to tradition, this work will ultimately contribute to the redemption from exile, a process that begins when the inner dimension of Torah spreads throughout the world—a teaching later emphasized by the Baal Shem Tov.

Mysticism Rooted in Torah and Love

The speaker emphasizes that authentic Kabbalah must be studied within the framework of Torah and tradition. Its purpose is not escapism, but deeper awareness: to see divine meaning beneath the surface of life, and to recognize the soul within each person. The connection to Rabbi Akiva’s students, whose plague ceased on this day, reinforces the ethical foundation of both revealed and hidden Torah: “Love your fellow as yourself.” Lag BaOmer becomes a moment to reaffirm both mystical insight and interpersonal responsibility—bringing the world closer to spiritual completion.

The above is a summary of the original teaching video available on the YouTube channel.