Why we celebrate Lag Baomer/Did Rashbi pass away on Lag Baomer?

A. The recorded reasons for celebration:

The discussion in Poskim for why we rejoice on Lag Baomer: It is accustomed to increase slightly in joy on Lag BaOmer.[1] For this reason, all Jewry omit Tachanun[2], and Ashkenazim even rescind the mourning customs on this day.[3] The reason for this joy, however, remained a mystery and was the subject of discussion for many generations of Poskim. In search for an explanation behind this mysterious holiday, the Poskim offered various alternatives of events that happened on this day thus explaining why it is a day of celebration.[4] Some Poskim[5], however, simply gave up there quest, stating that there is no satisfactory reason to defend the exorbitant joy expressed on Lag BaOmer, and thus in their eyes, the celebration of Lag Baomer remains a mystery. The following is a list of the classic reasons offered by the Poskim:

1. The classic reason recorded in Poskim[6] is that on this day, Lag BaOmer, the last of the 24,000 students died. This explanation, however, is not agreed upon by all opinions. Some Poskim[7] hold that in truth the students of Rebbe Akiva did not stop dying on Lag BaOmer and hence the increase in joy is due to some other unknown reason.[8]
2. Others[9] write the reason is because on this day Rebbe Akiva gave Semicha to Rashbi and his other four remaining students.[10]
3. Some[11] write the reason for celebration is because on this day the Mun began to fall for the Jewish people in the desert.[12]
4. Others[13] write it is because on this day we have reached the Sefira of Hod Shebehod, which contains mystical significance.

All the above however, even if accepted as true, only explains why we omit Tachanun on this day, it however does not explain the exorbitant joy expressed on Lag BaOmer, with the various customs associated with it, hence turning Lag BaOmer to a day almost equal to other Holidays.[14]

The Kabalistic reason-Celebrating the day of Rashbi: Often in Jewish literature, when a sufficient explanation for a certain law or custom has not been uncovered we turn to the works of Kabbalah to perhaps uncover the mystery, and here is no different. The classic Sefarim of Kabbalah, which include the Shaar Hakavanos, Peri Eitz Chaim and Mishnas Chassidim state that on Lag Baomer one is to rejoice the joy of Rashbi. The Shaar Hakavanos[15] and Peri Eitz Chaim[16], a work of Rav Chaim Vital based on the teachings of his famed master the Arizal, writes that people go to the grave of Rashbi on Lag Baomer to celebrate and that so was the custom of the Arizal. Rav Chaim Vital continues and adds that in fact the Arizal conveyed a message to one of his students from the Rashbi himself. What did Rashbi tell the Arizal to convey? He told him to ask his student “Why he said Nacheim on the day of his joy, and as a result of doing so he will soon enter into mourning.” Thus, we see that Lag Baomer is a day celebrating the joy of Rashbi, as quoted from Rashbi himself, and that everyone is meant to celebrate on this day and it is dangerous to ignore it.[17] An additional source for this is also found in the Mishnas Chassidim[18], which is a major work of Kabalah written faithful to the teachings of the Arizal. There he states that on Lag BaOmer “It is a Mitzvah to celebrate the Simcha of Rashbi.” This reason which is sourced in Kabalah found its way into the classic works of the famed Posek, the Chida, who writes “And it is known that his desire is for us to celebrate on this day, as was revealed regarding the story with Rav Avraham Halevi.”[19] It is likewise recorded in many later Achronim in their Halachic works as the reason for celebrating Lag Baomer.[20] Thus, in conclusion, that which was clouded in mystery to the Poskim of earlier generations has become revealed to the later generations through the teachings of Kabala, that on Lag Baomer we celebrate because Rashbi himself instructed us to do so. The only question that remains is what is this joy all about? What happened to Rashbi on this day that he has instructed us to rejoice with him? This is what leads to our next discussion of did Rahsbi pass away on Lag Baomer.

Why Rashbi told us to celebrate: While the teachings of Kabalah uncovered for us the mystery behind the celebration on Lag Baomer, it has opened for us a new mystery regarding why Rashbi instructed us to celebrate. The Shaar Hakavanos and Mishnas Chassidim ibid write the reason one is to celebrate is because the Rashbi was one of the remaining students of Rebbe Akiva who was responsible for the continuity of the oral tradition of the Torah.[21] The Shaar Hakavanos ibid explains based on Kabbalah why this celebration of the continuity of Rebbe Akliva and his teachings is connected specifically to Lag Baomer. Some[22] suggest, as stated above, that Rashbi actually received Semicha on this day, and thus instructed us to celebrate. The most common explanation, however, is that this is the day that Rashbi passed away and he instructed us to celebrate on his Yom Hilula, the day of his passing. The only problem is, what is the source for this statement? The Shaar Hakavnos and Mishnas Chassidim, which are quite reputable sources, make no mention of it. So, in truth the answer lies in the Peri Eitz Chaim itself. Rav Chaim Vital in Peri Eitz Chaim ibid, writes in his conclusion of the above discussion [of Rashbi’s instruction to celebrate this day] “The reason that Rashbi died on Lag Baomer is because he was from the [24000] known students of Rebbe Akiva who died on Lag Baomer.” Thus, a clear source from Rav Chaim Vital himself that this is the day of Rashbi’s passing. The only problem, however, is that this statement is blatantly inaccurate. It is clear from the Talmud[23] and other sources that Rashbi was not part of the 24000 students who died in the plague and Rashbi passed away many years later.[24] Thus, some Poskim[25] conclude that this entire statement in the Peri Eitz Chaim must be a misprint, and so falls our source. Nonetheless, despite the above question on wording of the Peri Eitz Chaim, many Poskim[26] record this tradition and write that Lag Baomer is the day of the passing of Rebbe Shimon. The earliest undisputed source is from the Alter Rebbe who writes in several Chassidic discourses of the passing of Rashbi on Lag Baomer, and discusses its celebration within his discourse.[27] The Rebbe also concludes in his letters that this is the true reason for the celebration of Lag Baomer, as on this day Rebbe Shimon passed away.[28] Furthermore, even the Divrei Nechmia[29] who is one of the Poskim who questioned and invalidated the Nusach of the Peri Eitz Chaim concludes “Despite the invalidation of the source in Peri Eitz Chaim, certainly the concept is true that Rashbi passed away on Lag Baomer, as has already been publicized in the entire world for many generations the Hillula of the Rashbi on Lag BaOmer.” Last, but not least, in truth the wording of the Peri Eitz Chaim has been recently discovered to be authentic although with a slight change of wording. A careful study of the original manuscripts of the Peri Eitz Chaim found in multiple famed libraries [i.e. Oxford]  show that although he did not write the above quoted wording which was questioned and invalidated by Poskim, he did write “The reason for Rashbi’s Simcha on Lag Baomer is because he was from the students of Rebbe Akiva, who is the one who died on Lag Baomer.”[30] Thus, the last of the mysteries has been solved. Rashbi instructed us to celebrate on Lag Baomer because this is the day of his passing, as corroborated by the true manuscripts of Rav Chaim Vital, many Poskim, and the tradition of world Jewry.  

Why the day of the Rashbi’s passing is a reason for celebration: A final and last step in the mysterious puzzle of the Lag Baomer celebration is understanding why the established reason of Rashbi passing away should be a source of joy or celebration. In fact, some Poskim who accept the tradition that this is the day of his passing, still question as why this should be a source of joy. The Rebbe[31] suggests that since Rebbe Shimon requested that the day of his death be celebrated, it is thus a Mitzvah to fulfill the request of the deceased and celebrate on this day.[32] Another reason brought down is that in truth the day of a Tzaddik’s passing is a great day of celebration above, as all the Tzaddik’s Torah and Avoda of his lifetime receives revelation on that day.[33] This was stated by the Rashbi himself who coined the day of his Yartzite as a Yom Hilula.[34] Alternatively, the day of the Rashbi’s passing a great treasure of the inner dimensions of Torah became revealed and thus we celebrate our access to his teachings in these later generations.[35] Due to all the above, as writes the Alter Rebbe, “One is to rejoice with all his heart and soul and make a day of feasting and joy on the 18th of Iyar, and sing praise to Hashem from the book of Tehillim, however he is not to enter into drunkenness and frivolity, Heaven forbid.”[36]

Summary: One is to celebrate and rejoice on Lag Baomer due to the various reasons mentioned above, of which the main reason is that on this day the Rashbi passed away and he instructed for us to celebrate on this day, to the effect that lack of celebration can bring negative consequences. The fact that Rashbi instructed us to celebrate on this day is undisputable in, and a careful research of the original manuscripts of the Peri Eitz Chaim show that the reason for this is due to the passing of Rashbi on this day, and so is accepted in the Poskim, amongst the Chabad Rabbeim, as well as the tradition of world Jewry.

Old manuscripts of Peri Eitz Chaim read as follows: Manuscript from 1641 “וטעם שמח/ רשב”י ביום ל”ג לעומר כי הוא מתלמידי רבי עקיבא שהוא שמת ל”ג לעומר”.   Oxford 1760 “וטעם שמחת רשב”י ביו/ ל”ג בעומר כי הוא הי/ מתלמידי ר”ע והו/ שמת בל”ג בעומר”.   Oxford 1700 “וטעם שמ/ רשב”י ביום ל”ג לעומר כי הוא מתלמידי ר”ע שהוא שמ/ ל”ג לעומר”

Summary of the reasons for celebration: The last of the 24,000 students died on Lag BaOmer. The five remaining students of Rebbe Akiva, including Rashbi, received Semicha on this day. Unknown reason. The Mun began to fall for the Jewish people in the dessert. On this day we have reached the Sefira of Hod Shebehod, which contains mystical significance. On this day, the 33rd day of the Omer which is the 18th of Iyar, the author of the Zohar, Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochaiy, passed away. Before his passing, Rebbe Shimon requested that the day of his death be celebrated.   The Oxymoron:[37] Why do we celebrate the end of the death of the students of Rebbe Akiva and at the same time celebrate the death of Rebbe Shimon who was one of the 5 surviving students of Rebbe Akiva? It seems that the two explanations behind the celebration are self-contradictory. If we are joyful that Rebbe Akiva’s students ceased to die then why celebrate the fact that Rashbi, which was amongst his five remaining students, passed away? The explanation is that the celebration in Rashbi’s death is not in the fact that he passed away, but in the fact that on the day of his passing all of his work that he accomplished throughout his life becomes spiritually revealed within the worlds. Rebbe Akiva’s students died as a result of their lack of Ahavas Yisrael, and hence the end of their deaths on Lag BaOmer represents also a Tikkun for this sin, thus causing celebration. At the same time, Rashbi outlived the other students being that he did not partake in this sin of the 24,000 students and on the contrary led a life of the epitome of Ahavas Yisrael. Rashbi passed away with a fulfilled life of Ahavas Yisrael. Now, since on this day all of the Rashbis work and accomplishments becomes revealed throughout the worlds, therefore we celebrate the lifework of Rashbi which represented the exact opposite of that of the 24,000 students that deceased.   Does Lag BaOmer have any relation to the Bar Kochba revolt?[38] No. This is an unfortunate [and sometimes deliberate] revision of history to try to secularize the event of Lag BaOmer, and bring it more to the hearts of the secular public. There is no source, neither in historical or religious Jewish texts, which attest to such relations of events with Lag BaOmer. The tradition of generation from generation never knew of such an assertion. The relation of the revolt of Bar Kochba to Lag BaOmer is the invention of creative imagination of the Maskilim [Jewish intellectuals of the 18th century] who later formed the reformed movement, which have an excellence in revisionism.

The greatness of Lag BaOmer Purim and Lag BaOmer: The weekday that Lag BaOmer is celebrated is always the same weekday that Purim was celebrated that year.[39]  This emphasizes the happiness and joy that one must have on Lag BaOmer.   Ray of Moshiach:[40] In Rebbe Shimon shined the light of Moshiach. On Lag BaOmer this ray of Moshiach shines, just as it did on the day the Rashbi passed away.   Lag BaOmer is Gematria of Moshe: The words Lag BaOmer have the same Gematria as Moshe.[41] This is because the Rashbi was a spark of Moshe, and he had received from the same level of Divine light that Moshe received when he received the 2nd Luchos.[42]     Lag Baomer is Hod Shebhod from below to above and is Tiferes Shebitiferes from above to below:[43] There are two ways of counting the corresponding Sefiros of the days, one is from above to below and the second is from below to above. The Rebbe Rayatz[44] stated that the day of Lag Baomer when counting below to above, from Pesach to Shavuos, is Hod Shebihod, however when counting from above to below, from Shavuos to Pesach, it is Tiferes Shebitiferes.

Lag Baomer in Lubavitch by the Mittler Rebbe:[45] In the first year that the Mittler Rebbe set his dwelling place in Lubavitch [i.e. 5514] he established the custom of celebrating the day of Lag Ba’omer in the field outside of the city. He would have a light meal with drinking of Lechayim, eating cooked eggs, singing and dancing. In middle, or towards the end of the meal, the Mittler Rebbe would say a Hasidic discourse and would ask the elderly Hasidim to retell over their Lag Ba’omer experiences of previous years. After the Mittler Rebbe left, the Hasidim would rejoice and celebrate until the evening. [Many miracles occurred that day regarding women giving birth and having male children.[46]]

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[1] Admur 493:5; Rama 493:2; Maharil 157

[2] Admur 493:5; Siddur Admur; Rama 493:2

[3] Admur 493:5 [according to all opinions mentioned there]; Rama 493:2

Other opinions-Custom of Sefaradim: The above ruling is only in accordance to the ruling of the Rama ibid that the last of the students stopped dying on the 33^rd day of the Omer. However according to the Michaber 493:2 the mourning custom fully apply up until the morning of the 34^th day of the Omer as in his opinion the last of the students died on the 34^th day of the Omer. This is the custom of the Sefaradim, and they hence do not get married or cut hair, or cease any of the mourning customs until the morning of the 34th day of the Omer. [Michaber 493:2; Peri Chadash 493:1; Mamar Mordechai 493:3; Kaf Hachaim 493:25; Yabia Omer 3:26; Minchas Yitzchak 4:84 that so is the Sefardi custom]

[4] See sources listed in coming footnotes, and Maaras Hayin of Chida in Likkutim; Shem Aryeh 14; Sdei Chemed Asifas Dinim 6

[5] P”M 493 M”Z 1; Peri Chadash 493:2; Chasam Sofer ibid

[6] Rama 493:2; Admur 493:5; Biur Halacha 493 “Yeish”

[7] Michaber 493:2 as explained in M”B 493:7; Tosafus brought in M”A 493:5; P”M 493 M”Z 1

[8] P”M 493 M”Z 1

[9] Implication of Shaar Hakavanos Shaar Sefiras Haomer p.87a, as explained in Kaf Hachaim 493:26; Chida in Maaras Ayin Likkutim 7:8, brought in Sdei Chemed and Kaf Hachaim ibid; See also Peri Chadash 493, brought in Kaf Hachaim 493:26

[10] These were Rebbe Yehuda, Rebbe Elazar Ben Shamua, Rebbe Meir and Rebbe Nechemia. On this day there was a special spiritual revelation which allowed these students to receive Semicha. [Shaar Hakavanos ibid, brought in Kaf Hachaim ibid]

[11] Chasam Sofer Y.D. 233; However, see also Chasam Sofer O.C. 163

[12] This follows the opinion of the Midrash, however according to the Gemara Shabbos 87b the Mun began falling on Shabbos the 15^th of Iyar, and according to Tosafus there it began falling on Sunday the 9^th of Iyar, which is before the 18^th of Iyar. So is also apparent from Kiddushin 38a that the Mun lasted for 40 years minus 30 days, and the Mun ceased on the 16^th of Nissan, hence proving it began falling before the 18^th of Iyar. See Igros Kodesh 29:157

[13] Siddur Yaavetz, recorded in Chasam Sofer Y.D. 233

[14] So questions Peri Chadash 493:2; Chasam Sofer ibid

[15] Shaar Hakavanos Shaar Sefiras Haomer p.87a

[16] Peri Eitz Chaim Sefiras HaOmer 7

[17] See Ateres Zekeinim 493 that after bringing the story of Reb Avraham Halevi and the Arizal [recorded above] he concludes “We thus see one is not to say Tachanun on this day”

[18] Mishnas Chassidim Iyar 1:6

[19] Birkeiy Yosef 493:2 and Morah Bietzba 8:123

[20] Bnei Yissachar Mamar Lag BaOmer 3:3; Sdei Chemed Eretz Yisrael 6; Minchas Elazar 1:60; Divrei Nechemia 34-7; Chayeh Adam 131:11; Aruch Hashulchan 493:5; Kaf Hachaim 493:27

[21] See also Peri Chadash 493, brought in Kaf Hachaim 493:26

[22] Chida in Maaras Ayin Likkutim 7:8 and Kaf Hachaim 493:26 in tehri understanding of Shaar Hakavanos Shaar Sefiras Haomer p.87a

[23] Yevamos 62b

[24] See Divrei Nechemia 34-7

[25] Divrei Nechemia ibid; Chida in Maras Ayin Likkutim 7, recorded in Sdei Chemed ibid, clarifies his earlier statement from Birkeiy Yosef ibid and states the Peri Eitz Chaim is filled with printing errors and the fact that Shaar Hakavnos omits Rashbi’s death on this day shows it is a misprint;

[26] Chida in Birkeiy Yosef 493:2 and Morah Bietzba 8:123 “Lag Baomer is the Yom Hilula of Rashbi, and it is known that his desire is for us to celebrate on this day, as was revealed regarding the story with Rav Avraham Halevi”; Chasam Sofer 233 “Lag Baomer Yoma Hilula Derashbi”; Bnei Yissachar Mamar Lag BaOmer 3:3; Sdei Chemed Eretz Yisrael 6; Minchas Elazar 1:60; Divrei Nechemia 34-7 “Despite the invaliudation of the source in Peri Eitz Chaim, certainly the concept is true that Rahsbo passed away on Lag Baomer, as has already been publicized in the entire world for many generations the Hillula of the Rashbi on Lag BaOmer.”; Chayeh Adam 131:11; Aruch Hashulchan 493:7 “It is customarily called Hilula Derashbi, and they say he passed away on this day and left the cave on this day”; Kaf Hachaim 493:27 accepts the version of Peri Eitz Chaim and says that both concepts are true 

[27] Admur in Siddur Im Dach; Igros Kodesh Admur Hazaken p. 117 “The 18^th of Iyar the Yom Hillula of the Rashbi”; Sefer Hamamarim 5564 p. 101 “To understand the Hillula of Rashbi”

[28] Igros Kodesh 4:275: “Many reasons have been recorded regarding the festival of Lag BaOmer. We only have the reason written in the Kisvei Arizal and brought in Dach that this day is the day of passing of Rashbi-the Yom Hilula of Rashbi”

[29] Divrei Nechemia 34-7

[30] See here for an analysis of the original manuscripts and the above stated conclusion http://www.shturem.net/index.php?section=news&id=62737

[31] Likkutei Sichos 3:1002; 32:256

[32] See Shach Y.D. 344:9 in name of Rav Yaakov Viyal [Mahariv]

[33] See Tanya Igeres Hakodesh 28

[34] See Zohar Vayechi  p. 218a; Haazinu end of Idra Zuta p. 286; Divrei Nechemia ibid; Kaf Hachaim ibid

[35] See Divrei Nichemia bid

[36] Igros Kodesh Admur Hazaken p. 117;

[37] Likkutei Sichos 22:138 [printed in Shaareiy Hamoadim 284]

[38] See Igros Kodesh 9:64 “To say that Lag BaOmer is connected with Bar Kochba runs contrary to the Talmud, even though this statement is found in a number of books written by the Maskilim”  

[39] Michaber 428:1

[40] Siddur Shaar Lag BaOmer; Igros Kodesh 4:276-7

[41] Shaar Yissachar Tishreiy; Kodesh Hilulim p. 38; Likkutei Sichos 7:337

[42] Emek Hamelech 2:4

[43] See Toras Menachem 5710 p. 38 and p. 59

[44] Kuntrus Lag Baomer 5701

[45] See Likkutei Dibburim p. 1045; Otzer Minhagei Chabad 52; Toras Menachem 5710 p. 60

[46] Toras Menachem 5710 p. 60

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