SAN DIEGO — Two events are coming up this weekend to celebrate the holiday of Lag B’Omer — the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, when mourning restrictions are suspended for a single day between the holidays of Pesach and Shavuot.
–The Coastal Chabads will celebrate with a beach BBQ at Moonlight Beach on May 25 starting at 5:30 pm. To register, click here.
The JCC’s celebration on May 26 will start at 4:30 pm. This free event will have fire pits, smores, music, dancing, and food for purchase. Click here to register.
Lag B’Omer occurs on the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. The minor holiday is marked by attending bonfires which are said to symbolize bringing light into the world. The holiday also marks the death of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, who revealed the Zohar, a fundamental Kabbalistic work.
Aish.com reports that Rabbi Shimon had been convicted of capital crimes by the Romans and faced execution years before his time. But from his self-sacrifice of hiding in a cave for 12 years to study Torah and the miracles of a sprouting carob tree and a stream, he was able to live a happy and full life. In Israel and many Jewish communities around the world, tall towers reaching as high as 20 to 30 feet are gathered and burnt on Lag B’Omer.
On a personal note, prior to Lag B’Omer, I would start receiving invitations to weddings and upsherin (when a three-year-old boy receives his first haircut, allowed on Lag B’Omer). Families also plan picnics and outside gatherings as the weather has warmed up and enjoying a bonfire with smores makes the occasion more festive.
In May (also in November) my family and I camp at San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff by the Sea. One of my good friends, Barbara Sperling also camps there and calls it “heaven on earth.” I have been camping there since I was a kid and now camp there with my kids.
My husband and I stay inside a tent two to three nights on a blow-up mattress — about all the time we can endure. Sometimes we have had to fight the elements of weather and have had to pack up early. We have a nightly bonfire (not 20 to 30 feet tall) in the fire pit and always end the night with smores. I am not a big fan of smores, they are too sweet for me but my kids enjoy them. So, when Lag B’Omer comes up on the calendar, I am reminded of our camping trips and the stories told, jokes and laughter shared around the fire pit as we attempt to stay warm. We also make hot cocoa.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of San Diego Jewish World.