Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather around the bonfire during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, outside of Tel Aviv, on May 17, 2014. (photo credit: Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
Hundreds of thousands of people lit bonfires and gathered around the grave of second-century kabbalist sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Mount Meron in northern Israel Saturday night and Sunday to mark the holiday commemorating his death.
Police estimated Sunday some 100,000 pilgrims were at the site, near the Upper Galilee city of Safed, to celebrate Lag B’Omer, which is traditionally marked by the lighting of fires, music and prayer. That number was markedly lower than in previous years.
Paramedics treated some 300 people at the site for a variety of light injuries, including dehydration, the Magen David Adom rescue association reported.
About a thousand police were on hand to guard the festivities, which began Saturday night and continued into Sunday.
Lag B’Omer celebrations on Mt. Meron in 2013 (photo credit: Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
Schools and official institutions around the country will mark the holiday Sunday night and Monday with community bonfires and other activities.
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