From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Ahead of Lag B’Omer, chief rabbi says he’ll issue warning against bonfires if asked by firefighters
Rossella Tercatin is The Times of Israel's archaeology and religions reporter.
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber does not plan to issue a warning against bonfires ahead of the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, unless “the firefighters asked him to do it,” a spokesperson tells The Times of Israel.
A spokesperson for the Sephardi Chief Rabbi David Yosef tells The Times of Israel he does not plan to take a position on the issue.
Lighting bonfires is a tradition during Lag B’Omer, which this year falls on Thursday night and Friday. However, Israel has in recent weeks been battling wildfires, particularly during extreme weather conditions. A new heatwave is set to hit Israel on Friday and Saturday.
On May 1, a fire in the area between Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh burned 20,000 dunams (5,000 acres), forcing several communities to evacuate and closing the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and other roads for hours.
On Tuesday, the Fire and Rescue Authority issued an appeal to local authorities asking to ban bonfires in open areas between May 9 and May 18.
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