Lag BaOmer Videos

Join this live broadcast of the grand Lag B’Omer parade at Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in New York, where thousands of Jewish children are gathering for this special event.

Join this live broadcast of the grand Lag B’Omer parade at Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in New York, where thousands of Jewish children are gathering for this special event.

The Rebbe participates in an early Lag B’omer Parade.

On Lag B’omer, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai proclaimed: “This is the day of my rejoicing!” What was it that made Rabbi Shimon so joyful?

Excerpts from a 1983 recording of the Lag B’Omer parade at Lubavitch World Headquarters, Brooklyn, New York.

Excerpts from a 1984 satellite feed from Lubavitch World Headquarters, Brooklyn, New York.

A look at the increasingly popular interest in the holiday of Lag BaOmer, which was instituted by the author of the Zohar, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, to commemorate the day of his passing.

We count the Omer in anticipation of the giving of the Torah on Shavuot. But on Lag BaOmer we celebrate the life of R’ Shimon bar Yochai, who revealed the esoteric dimension of Torah.

Learn all about the special day of Lag B’Omer and the many practical lessons to be applied in our daily lives. Discover the reasons behind the bow and arrow symbolism on this day, and how the behavior of Rabbi Akiva's students can teach us how help someone to stop smoking.

Traditions around the celebratory observance of the 33rd day of the Omer are atypical of the normative Yiddishkeit experience; especially the blazing bonfires that burn in Meron and across Israel. The remarkable volume of non-sectarian participation, and its widespread nature, beg clarification. Tracing the earliest known sources, we arrive at a surprising conclusion. Incredibly insightful and awe-inspiring teachings are woven to form a rich tapestry of wisdom, understanding and knowledge; clarifying what we’re celebrating and why we are all so fired up about it!

Join Rabbis Yehuda Shurpin and Menachem Posnerr as they discuss archane Lag BaOmer customs, coronavirus and other interesting stuff.

The Talmud tells us that 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died because “they did not treat one another with respect.” But the plague ended on Lag BaOmer, which means they had remedied their actions and began to treat each other with the appropriate level of esteem.

On Lag B’omer, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai proclaimed: “This is the day of my rejoicing!” He also requested every Jew to share in his joy, so his own delight is increased when he sees many Jews rejoicing together.

Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai taught: “G-d promises the Jewish people in exile: ‘I shall never reject them or abhor them to break My covenant with them.’ This is like a man whose bride lives in a leather tanners’ market, where everything reeks. Were she not there, he would never have entered. But because she is there, it smells to him like a spice market, the most beautiful scent in the world.”

Rabbi Avraham HaLevi, a disciple of the Arizal, had the custom of reciting Nachem, a prayer of mourning for Jerusalem, every single day.

The stories related in the Torah are more than historical events. They offer guidance and direction for the way we live our lives. When we find ourselves in a year of hakhel, it’s not enough to merely recall how it was marked in the Holy Temple, we must search for ways to make it relevant in our lives, today.

The Lag B’omer rallies and parades outside 770 drew thousands of Jews from all walks of life and backgrounds. The gatherings attest to the fact that despite all our differences in language and culture, there is a single unifying force that keeps all Jews together as one family. But what is that glue that binds us together, and how do we maintain it throughout the rest of the year as well?

Children gather to celebrate the holiday of Lag B’Omer. Excerpts from a 1983 recording of the grand parade with the Rebbe at Lubatvitch World Headquarters, Brooklyn, New York.

What attracts 2 million people yearly to this site?

How the greatest of Kabbalists teaches us to direct spiritual aspirations to transform the world. Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 17 Behar – Lag b’Omer)

Yishai Fleisher, an Israeli correspondent, goes to experience Lag BaOmer in Meron, the burial place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Joining the hundreds of thousands participating, he documents it all on camera so you can feel as if you are there in person.

The Talmud says that R' Shimon ben Yochai's "Torah study was his profession"? What does it mean to make Torah study your main occupation. Guest Expert: Rabbi Manis Friedman. (From “Messages”—Season 4, Episode 14)

The Talmud says that R' Shimon ben Yochai's "Torah study was his profession"? What does it mean to make Torah study your main occupation. Guest Expert: Rabbi Mendel Kaplan. (From “Messages”—Season 4, Episode 15)

Children gather to celebrate the holiday of Lag B’Omer. Excerpts from a 1984 satellite feed from Lubatvitch World Headquarters, Brooklyn, New York.

Lag B’omer celebrates the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, and is a time to draw inspiration from his life’s work. Rabbi Shimon’s Torah study was so great that it was his “occupation,” a level unattained even by his greatest peers. But how, then, is a young child to attempt to emulate him?

Torah instructs Jewish children: If you see another person who is in need, whether spiritually or physically, reach out to him with love and help him get free of his predicament. Then proceed together, growing from each other’s successes.

A grand Lag B’omer parade. After the crowds arrive and the 12 Pesukim are recited, the Rebbe addresses the children. The parade goes by the Rebbe with marching bands, U.S. soldiers, marvelous floats and happy children.

The Rebbe participates in a Lag B’omer parade.

The Rebbe participates in the 1976 Lag B’omer Parade.

A vintage film. Children gather at 770 for a Lag B’omer parade. The Rebbe addresses the children, and reviews and encourages their march up the road.

The Rebbe drives by the Lag B’omer fair and waves to the many joyous children.

"May it be Your will, L-rd our G-d and G-d of our fathers, that the Holy Temple be speedily rebuilt in our days, and grant us our portion in Your Torah."

Brief highlights from the 1984 Lag B’Omer parade and gathering with the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Watch talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Lag B’Omer and vintage footage of the Rebbe participating in the grand Lag B’Omer parades.

Children gather to celebrate the holiday of Lag B’Omer. Excerpts from a 1983 recording of the grand parade with the Rebbe at Lubatvitch World Headquarters, Brooklyn, New York.

The Talmud tells us that 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died because “they did not treat one another with respect.” But the plague ended on Lag BaOmer, which means they had remedied their actions and began to treat each other with the appropriate level of esteem.

Join this live broadcast of the grand Lag B’Omer parade at Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in New York, where thousands of Jewish children are gathering for this special event.

Join this live broadcast of the Lag B’Omer parade at Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters in New York, where thousands of Jewish children are gathering for this special event.

An address at the 1967 Lag BaOmer Parade, less than a week before the Six-Day War. G-d is protecting your brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, but you have the unique privilege to help them . . .

Vintage footage of the 1957 Lag B’omer Parade in front of 770.

A collage of interactions about Lag B’omer and Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

When the Jews were redeemed from Egypt, they eagerly counted down the days until the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Today as well, we count the days and weeks from Passover as we gear up to receive the Torah anew on Shavuos.

May the merit of Rabbi Shimon whose Yahrtzeit we celebrate on Lag B’Omer bring you success.

An exploration of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's halachik approach and how it mirrors his mystical outlook. Examples from the laws of Muktzah and intention in regards to work on Shabbos. Also exploring Aggadic passages of the Talmud about Rabbi Shimon.

Rabbi Shimon would say: Three who eat at one table and do not speak words of Torah, it is as if they have eaten of idolatrous sacrifices… But three who eat at one table and speak words of Torah, it is as if they have eaten at G d's table… (Ethics of Our Fathers 3:3)

Step seven is the verse that opens the Torah itself: “Bereishit (In the beginning) G-d created the heavens and the earth.” It certainly sounds very important and biblical, yet what exactly is the relevant message? And, perhaps more critically, how does the narration of creation serve as a key component in our shared Jewish journey; comprising the next level in 12 Steps to a Better Life? Discover how this Torah passage about the origins of the material universe, is actually a remarkably empowering Jewish mission statement. See just how it informs our destiny, ultimately serving as a guidepost for life!

Exploring the weekly reading from the Prophets, where we uncover the mystical characteristic of the Kohen by exploring Cain and Abel according to Kabbalah.

Insights from the weekly Torah portion on how to invest in your most important relationship.

This song and hymn praises the virtues of the great Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the author of the holy Zohar. This song is widely sung on Lag BaOmer when we celebrate his life and passing.