Today is Lag B'Omer. Israel Limits Bonfires and Celebrations but Chasidim Find a Way

Today is Lag B'Omer, the the 33rd day of the period of counting days between Passover and Shavuot. In Israel it's traditionally a big day of celebration, with large bonfires throughout the country, and especially on Mount Meron in the north. 

It's the burial site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, known as Rashbi. Hundreds of thousands of Charedi Jews make a pilgrimage each year to sing and dance on the mountain.

This year the Israeli government decided to close roads leading to Meron, to prevent large crowds amid exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah in the Galilee and Southern Lebanon.

The checkpoint is one of 11 roadblocks set up around Meron in an effort involving hundreds of police officers to enforce the ban following concerns that some pilgrims would defy it.

The events at Meron are limited this Lag B'Omer to three ceremonial bonfire lighting ceremonies attended by no more than 30 people at any given time. But celebrants are finding ways to observe the day in other locations around Israel.

Last night tens of thousands gathered in Beit Shemesh, a Jerusalem suburb, to celebrate.

Enjoy, and Happy Lag B'Omer!

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