Stampede at the Jewish festival Lag B’Omer in Israel
- More than 44 people have died, and around 50 have been injured in the recent stampede on the occasion of the Lag B’Omer festival (Jewish festival) in Meron, Israel.
- Some people slipped down the stairs during the event at Mount Meron. Due to which a stampede ensued and people got crushed in an attempt to get out.
- All of these people gathered at Shimon Bar Yochai, an iconic mausoleum to celebrate the Lag B’Omer festival.
- The Lag B’Omer is an annual Jewish festival. It is celebrated in the Iyar month of the Hebrew calendar. This festival is celebrated on the thirty third day of Omar.
- People of the Jewish community arrive in Maron every year to celebrate the Lag B’Omer festival. In this festival people burn fire and pray and pray around the fire.
Lag B’Omer
- The day of Lag B’Omer is important for Jews, because in the 49 days of Omar, only the Lag B’Omer is celebrated. Jewish people schedule weddings on Lag B’Omer. Young boys reaching the age of 30 are brought here (maroon) for their first haircut.
Hebrew or Jewish calendar
- The Hebrew calendar is a calendar used primarily for the Jewish religions. In Israel it is used for religious purposes.
What are the two incidents that are related to La B’Omer?
- Lag B’Omer festival recounts two historical events of Jewish history. They are – the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and the death anniversary of Akiva Ben Yosef’s 24,000 students. Actually, these students were killed by the plague. Akiva ben Yosef is another rabbi, who lived in the time of Simon Bar. Yochai himself had instructed to commemorate the death anniversary of Yosef’s 24,000 students during Lag B’Omer.
Rabbi:
- The rabbi is a Jewish teacher or scholar. He primarily teaches Jewish law. They are commonly called Mishnaic sage.
Mishnah
- The Mishnah is a written collection of Jewish oral traditions. It is also called Oral Torah. Mishnah is one of the earliest compositions of Jews. It was written in the third century.
Source – Indian Express
