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Oded Balilty / AP
Ultra-Orthodox Jews stand next to bonfires during Lag Ba'omer celebrations to commemorate the end of a plague said to have decimated Jews in Roman times, in Bnei Brak, Israel, on May 9, 2012.
Reuters reports — Lag Ba'omer marks the end of a plague that killed thousands of Jewish scholars in ancient times, as well as the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who had rebelled against Roman rule and is believed to be the author of the Zohar, the core text of Kabbalah mysticism. Holiday traditions include lighting bonfires and cutting the hair of three-year-old boys for the first time.
Previously on PhotoBlog:
Mike Segar / Reuters
A young boy watches a bonfire burn as Orthodox Jews of the Satmar Hassidim dance and celebrate the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'omer in the village of Kiryas Joel, Orange County, New York, on May 9, 2012.
Ammar Awad / Reuters
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys sit in front of girls and women as they look at a bonfire lit on the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'omer in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood on May 9, 2012.
Ariel Schalit / AP
A man cuts a boy's hair next to the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai during Lag Ba'omer celebrations at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, on May 10, 2012.
Mike Segar / Reuters
Men of the Orthodox Jewish Satmar Hassidim crowd the steps of a synagogue (backround) as women of the sect stand in a separate area (front) as they celebrate Lag Ba'omer in the village of Kiryas Joel, New York, on May 9, 2012.
Nir Elias / Reuters
An ultra-Orthodox woman prays during traditional festivities for Lag Ba'omer near the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Mount Meron in northern Israel on May 10, 2012.
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why would anyone care what happened to a few people centuries ago, and a party that has nothing to do with our country.
What party originated in YOUR country? X-mas, originated in the Holy Land. Easter, in pagan summer solstice rites. Thanksgiving, a holiday originated by British subjects. In fact, YOUR country is less than 250 years old, and founded by IMMIGRANTS from Europe whose descendants still celebrate IMPORTED holidays. We live in an interrelated world, this is the 21st Century, and we should all celebrate events that bring happiness regardless of where they originate.
Thank you!
To: Roger Bowen - Many more care than you realize. You might want to consider doing a little studying on the subject, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised at how fascinating and relevant the Jewish history is to ALL of us -- it has been for centuries and continues to be today :)
Very interesting. Thanks, cnn, for some coverage of a people that in fact HAS contributed greatly in a very positive way to the history and culture of the entire world. I am speaking of the Jewish people in general.
The above commenter asks why would anyone care about this? Excuse me, sir, these people are part of our nation and of Israel, just as many other smaller people groups are that have been reported upon by cnn. Aren't we subjected to frequent islam-conditioning by the press? I resent THAT, and am disgusted by it, considering the serious trauma islam has inflicted on large portions of the world- and how it continues to terrify millions the world over, many of whom flee their native lands mostly because of total islamic control of those homelands.
I for one care very much about Jewish and Christian history and events, far more so than islamic events ,and I always will care far more for Judaism+Chrisitianity information and coverage. Judaism and Christianity have contributed enormously important and positive ideas to the entire world. They have given the world far more in the way of decency and constructive ideas than islam ever will.
Chill out Bonnie, get your medical smokes out and calm down. There are a lot of phoney religions in the world and they all worship different Gods. Who says who is right and who is wrong, certainly not you Bonnie. We all understand your Jewish believes, we just don't agree with you.
Hooray for you. Finally some one who understands what it's all about!!!
Gary, too bad you are an anti-Semite!
Interesting--and to add that once the counting of the omer is completed on the fiftieth day, the Jews celebrate Shavuoth- the day Moses received the law on Mount Sinai and for the Christians--Pentacost--the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the faithful.
repeat, emphasis added
Sounds like another religious cult has to try and convince non believers they are the ones. People of jewish faith need to talk to members of the mormon faith to see who has the strongest spiritural leaders and if they believe in the same God. This would be a good job for Mitt.
We all believe in the same G-d. We just have different ways of showing it. Take your prejudices some place else. Judaism is not a 'cult'. Never has been. Never will be.
You are an ignorant bigot! People like you are not even worth the time I spent writing this post. You should use what little brain you have to learn about other religions. You may find them very interesting. But since you are so small minded, you won't. Try getting a life!
People due tend to get overactive on these comments. Islamic scholars, Jewish scholars, Roman scholars, Asian scholars have all contributed to our collective knowledge. Its ignorant to exclude any group because a few tend to skew a perception of a group. That being said, who really cares? How many religious festivals occur that don't get a photo spread?
You have a lot to learn, my friend. We would not be in America if it wasn't for people immigrating here from Europe and all over the world. Is it better to see people happy or watch the horrific atrocities in the Middle East?