Israelis Were Asked to Limit Holiday Bonfires on Lag BaOmer Due to Hot Weather

Jerusalem, 21 May, 2024 (TPS) -- The Lag BaOmer holiday begins Saturday night. Seen here are people in Jerusalem last year lighting holiday bonfires.

It is a tradition in Israel for people, specifically youth, to light bonfires throughout the country during the night of the holiday. Some say this tradition dates back to the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who was a senior rabbi of the Talmud. His students are said to have lit bonfires after his death to symbolize the continuation of the “flame” of his teachings.

However, this year Israelis have been asked not to light many bonfires due to extreme heat and the chance they may cause forest fires. Israel’s Fire Department prohibited lighting them in public areas including parks and nature sites.

Jerusalem, May 8 2023
Photo by Yoav Dudkevitch/TPS