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Shimon bar Yochai
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)
May 20, 2019, 7:05 pm
Ahead of heat wave, Israelis urged to hold their fire on Lag B’Omer
Fearful of forest fires, authorities issue restrictions on bonfires during this week’s holiday
By Melanie Lidman
Uri Berger, an archaeologist in the Upper Eastern Galilee, filed a complaint with the police for the vandalism at the Mt. Meron Nature Reserve on March 4, 2019. (Nadia Azar/Israel Antiquities Authority)
March 4, 2019, 4:43 pm
Graffiti spray-painted on 1,800-year-old synagogue on Galilee’s Mount Meron
For the second time in four years, the 3rd-century house of prayer is vandalized by religious extremists near the tomb of the Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood on May 2, 2018, during celebrations for the Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer. (AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANA)
May 3, 2018, 11:20 am
Hundreds of thousands flock to Galilee tomb for Lag B’Omer celebrations
Annual bonfire holiday draws over 250,000 largely ultra-Orthodox Jews to burial site of ancient sage; celebrations marred by honor accorded to convicted sex offender
By Tamar Pileggi
Ultra-Orthodox Jews at a big bonfire during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer in the Mea Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem on May 14, 2017. (Flash90)
May 14, 2017, 10:15 am
Hundreds of thousands flock to Galilee mountain for Lag B’Omer festival
Huge crowds defy state rabbinate’s delay of holiday to celebrate the ancient sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai near his tomb on Mount Meron
By TOI staff
Ultra-Orthodox Jews seen near a big bonfire, during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer in the neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem on May 25, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
May 26, 2016, 1:13 am
Thousands at Mt. Meron as Lag B’Omer bonfires lit throughout Israel
Health and fire authorities on alert to treat injuries and blazes during annual celebration
By Daniel Stieglitz
Lag B'Omer celebrations on Mt. Meron in 2013. (photo credit: Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
May 6, 2015, 1:06 pm
Throngs to mob tomb, set country on fire for holiday
Hundreds of thousands expected at Meron burial site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, as others mark Lag B’Omer with bonfires
By Rahel Jaskow
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)
May 18, 2014, 1:25 pm
300 treated at Mount Meron during Lag B’Omer celebrations
100,000 people converge on site for Jewish holiday marking kabbalist sage’s death
By TOI staff
An ultra-Orthodox man watches a bonfire celebrating the Lag B'Omer holiday in May 2013. (photo credit: Photo by Flash90)
May 17, 2014, 10:32 pm
300,000 head to Mount Meron for Lag B’Omer celebrations
50 people treated so far for injuries suffered during festivities
By TOI staff
A Lag BaOmer bonfire in the Ultra orthodox neighborhood of Meah Shearim, Jerusalem, April 25, 2013 (photo credit: by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
April 27, 2013, 10:29 pm
Thousands gather at Meron for Lag B’Omer celebrations
Police, firefighters and medical teams dispersed throughout site
By Adiv Sterman
Jerusalem pine tree, Masrek (photo credit: Shmuel Bar-Am)
February 23, 2013, 2:13 pm
Israeli history: it’s all about roots
The oldest of our ancient trees have lived through wars, religious upheavals, conquests and defeats; the youngest have seen the return of the Jews to their ancient homeland
By Aviva and Shmuel Bar-Am
Madonna performs in Tel Aviv during her Sticky and Sweet Tour in September 2009. (Amir Meiri/Flash90)
May 24, 2012, 4:20 pm
Spiritual girl Madonna heads to ‘the center of world energy’
Pop queen due in Israel Friday; will visit holy sites before launching her world tour in Ramat Gan
By Aaron Kalman
Revelers on Mount Meron for Lag Ba'omer Wednesday. (photo credit:Serge Attal/Flash90)
May 10, 2012, 2:16 pm
Fire, rain and a rocket accompany Lag Ba’omer festivities across country
Hundreds of thousands celebrate with bonfires and visits to Mount Meron; about 150 require medical treatment
By Asher Zeiger
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