"And
you shall count for yourselves from the day after the day of rest
on which you brought the Omer, seven full weeks."
For
many Jews, the Omer is a sad time, recalling the thousands of students
of Rabbi Akiva who died during the Jewish Revolt against the Romans
(132-135C.E.). Some Jews will not get married during the Omer or even
listen to music or have a haircut. According to this tradition, Lag
Ba'Omer marks the day when the students stopped dying. Many people
get married on this day and many have haircuts, to show that the period
of mourning is over.
For
many Jews, the Omer is a sad time, recalling the thousands of students
of Rabbi Akiva who died during the Jewish Revolt against the Romans
(132-135C.E.). Some Jews will not get married during the Omer or even
listen to music or have a haircut. According to this tradition, Lag
Ba'Omer marks the day when the students stopped dying. Many people
get married on this day and many have haircuts, to show that the period
of mourning is over.