Lag B'Omer is around the corner, and instead of the usual outdoor activities, most of our learning continues to occur indoors and online. Sefaria’s resources are designed to support you as you share the timeless lessons of Lag B'Omer, even in these unprecedented times.
Below are three suggestions for topics to explore with your students, communities, or families in the lead-up to the holiday:
Learn about Life in the Cave (and what happens when you come out)
The story of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son, Rabbi Elazar living in a cave for twelve years and then leaving the cave is related in the Talmud Masechet Shabbat.
This lesson, Leaving the Cave, looks at the experience of social distancing through the lens of the story of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
Plagues are a part of the story
During the period between Passover and Shavuot, 12,000 pairs of Rabbi Akiva’s students died from a plague. How did Rabbinic texts make sense of this tragedy? The discussion is found in Talmud Masechet Yevamot.
While the current pandemic is very different, it is a good opportunity to look to Jewish sources for some guidance. This sheet, Dealing with Anxiety, Dealing with Plague: Some Wisdom from Jewish Sources, addresses many of the issues our students might be thinking about.
Celebrate the happy moments
Lag B'Omer is a time of joy during a period of sadness. Celebrating the day reminds us to celebrate the happy moments when we can! Learn about the custom to use bows and arrows on Lag B’Omer, sing a song, or explore the idea behind choosing the 33rd day as a time to relax and rejoice.
Looking for more ideas? Search for Lag B'Omer or Omer using Sefaria’s new topics feature for even more texts and sheets to share with your community.