Lag BaOmer: Fire, Faith, and the Unity that Ignites Our National Mission

“Fire is never neutral. It warms, it cooks, it illuminates—or it destroys. The same flame can kindle Torah or consume our unity.”
—Inspired by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

As the sun sets over Israel, bonfires flicker to life across the country, signalling the arrival of Lag BaOmer—not with a whisper, but with flames, song, and an energy that binds us all together. This day, nestled between the solemn counting of the Omer and the anticipation of Shavuot, stirs up emotions, identities, and expressions of faith. But there’s something more—something powerful and binding that unites us, especially in the wake of Israel’s most challenging moments. Lag BaOmer is not only a day of celebration but a reminder of our unique mission in this world. It is this mission, above all else, that can light the way forward in a world filled with contradictions and moral inversions.

The Day That Speaks to Us All—In Our Own Way

Lag BaOmer is one of the few days on the Jewish calendar that resonates differently with each segment of Israeli society:

• For the Haredim, it’s a pilgrimage to Meron to honour Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the mystical sage and author of the Zohar, whose teachings spark profound spiritual reflection.
• For Chassidim, it’s an exuberant celebration of song, dance, and fire—a joyous expression of faith.
• For secular youth, it’s a fierce competition of bonfires and camaraderie, an iconic display of youthful defiance and celebration.
• For traditional families, it’s a time for barbecues and cherished moments spent outdoors.
• And for the fire brigade, it’s an annual challenge in logistics.

But what truly binds us together is the fire, the passion, the shared sense of belonging to something far greater than ourselves. Unity in diversity exemplifies the very essence of Israel’s mission—our shared journey and collective responsibility.

Rashbi’s Legacy: A Hero in the Cave, and Today

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s life was far from ordinary. He spent years hidden in a cave with his son, immersed in the depths of Torah, detached from the world around him. His return to society was marked by intense spiritual judgment. One might wonder: What would Rashbi make of the joy, bonfires, and chaos that envelop Lag BaOmer today? Would he embrace the celebration or recoil at its superficiality? This paradox challenges us every year, inviting us to reflect on whether we honour Rashbi’s Torah in the depth it deserves, or simply use his name as an excuse for a grand celebration.

Rashbi’s journey in the cave serves as a stark reminder that our mission is not one of passive celebration but active engagement with the world—a mission that requires constant reflection and introspection. It is not enough to simply celebrate our survival or our accomplishments. Our task is to align our actions with the deeper purpose of our existence as the Jewish people, carrying the torch of divine light to illuminate a world so often steeped in darkness.

The Fire of Torah, the Fire of Conflict

Lag BaOmer interrupts the mourning of the Omer, offering a break—a flash of joy. But what exactly are we celebrating? Torah learning? National rebellion? Mysticism? A pause in a devastating plague? The answer, as always, is layered and multifaceted. Lag BaOmer reminds us of the complexities we face as a people—complexities that call for both celebration and introspection.

The true fire of Lag BaOmer is not in the bonfire alone but in the mission it symbolises. We celebrate the enduring flame of Torah, which continues to guide us through tumultuous times. But we must also recognise that this flame is meant to shine outward, bringing moral clarity to a world that often finds itself adrift in confusion and contradiction.

Lag BaOmer as a Subconscious Yom Ha’atzmaut

For some, Lag BaOmer serves as a form of national expression that fills the gap left by the Haredi community’s reluctance to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut. When the state of Israel was born, expressions of joy within the Haredi community were muted by religious leaders who rejected the secular nature of the state. Lag BaOmer, however, provides an alternative—a chance for the Haredim to say, “We are here. We belong to this land. We burn with passion for it—even if we won’t wave flags.” It is their unspoken declaration of connection to the land and to the Jewish state.

This unifying declaration is not merely an act of national pride. It is a recognition of our deeper mission: to be a light unto the nations, to embody the ethical and spiritual principles that have guided us throughout history. This mission sets us apart in the world today and demands that we stand firm in our belief in justice, righteousness, and the sanctity of life—even when the world around us seems to be unravelling.

The Darker Flames: Internal Fires of Conflict

However, not all fires are symbolic of unity. In some dark corners of society, Israeli flags have been burned in Lag BaOmer bonfires—an act of defiance from certain Haredi groups that reject the secular state. While these extreme gestures don’t reflect the views of the broader Jewish population, they reveal the deep ideological rifts that continue to smoulder beneath the surface.

At the same time, there is another kind of extremism that threatens to divide us—one found in the realm of media and ideology. In certain secular circles, Israeli writers and outlets actively promote narratives that weaken the State of Israel. These voices, who may claim to represent the nation, often find themselves serving our enemies by distorting facts and promoting lies. They too stoke a fire—a fire of falsehood, divisiveness, and betrayal. This fire is no less dangerous than any physical flame, as it corrodes our unity and undermines our collective mission.

Our Holy Soldiers and Hostages: Flames of Sacrifice and Longing

While the rest of the country celebrates, we must not forget those who are not gathered around the bonfires—our holy soldiers and our hostages. These individuals are the true flame of Israel. Our soldiers face darkness, not in celebration, but in duty. They navigate perilous tunnels, defend borders, and protect the soul of our nation. Their fire is not one of joy, but one of purpose, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. They are our Rashbis today—burning with conviction, defending our land.

Similarly, our hostages, still held captive by evil forces, are absent from the celebrations. Their pain is not visible in the flames, but their suffering is felt deeply. As we light our bonfires, we must remember them—their captors have extinguished their fire, and until they return, our celebration remains incomplete. Our joy is broken without them, and the fire we light this year must burn with longing, prayer, and a collective determination to bring them home.

Unity for Victory: The Fire That Unites Us

This is where we must pause and recognise our unique mission as the Jewish people. We are not just another nation vying for power or control in a world full of competing forces. Our mission transcends national borders and political ideologies. We are the bearers of a divine mandate—one that calls us to uphold justice, lead with integrity, and be a moral compass for the world.

In a world where moral inversions abound and the lines between right and wrong are blurred, it is our responsibility to remain steadfast in our values. We must embrace the fact that we are different—that we are meant to be different. The Jewish people were chosen to carry the flame of divine truth, and this mission gives us strength, purpose, and direction.

The truth is often clouded by a world that refuses to acknowledge us. Many countries don’t seek normalisation with Israel because they genuinely respect us; they seek it on the condition that it is based on the false hope of a peaceful Palestinian state. But what kind of state would that be? Based on past evidence, it would not be a peaceful neighbour—it would be a state of terror, another stepping stone in the ongoing quest to push us into the sea. The history of violence speaks for itself: intifadas, shootings, bombs in cafés and buses, and most recently, the horrors of October 7th. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a decades-long pattern of aggression. The refusal to acknowledge the simplest truth—that the Jewish people have a right to their homeland-is evident in the failure to even say the words: “We recognise the right of Jews to Israel.” Just say it.

Israel’s fight is not about defending abstract values or ideologies; it is a fight for our land, the only Jewish state, our sacred homeland, which has been our birthright and connection to God for millennia. We are the only country in the world whose legitimacy is questioned. Not Russia. Not Syria. Not Lebanon. Not the fabricated state of Jordan.. Israel stands alone, targeted by those who wish to destroy us and refuse to recognise our right to exist.

Can there be peace in such a world? Yes, but true peace will only come when leaders, nations, and peoples understand and recognise that the Jewish people have returned legitimately to their ancestral homeland. Our mission isn’t just about defending our land; it’s about lighting the way first to ourselves—cultivating unity, respect, and strength within our own nation. Only when we are united in our purpose can we extend that light outward to the world.

A Nation of Contradictions—And That’s Okay

On a recent walk along the beach, I observed the contrasts: the Haredi swimming zone, the trendy gyms, and the beachside cafés. It struck me—we are a nation of contradictions. And that’s okay. Lag BaOmer teaches us to celebrate those contradictions. The all-night Torah study sessions, the all-night parties, and the bonfires that unite both worlds—they all belong. We don’t have to agree on everything to be one people. Our differences don’t make us weaker; they make us stronger, as long as we remember that we are all part of the same flame.

From Fire to Future: A Reflection on Unity and the Path Forward

After the horrors of October 7th, Israel has been irrevocably changed. But Lag BaOmer reminds us that we can find unity in our contradictions. The fires may burn differently for each of us, but they all burn with the same purpose: to light the way forward. The challenge is not to erase our differences but to make space for them, to channel our passions and convictions into a shared vision for the future.

If Lag BaOmer teaches us anything, it’s that fire can either destroy or unite. It can burn with falsehoods and hatred or with truth, faith, and a shared commitment to our national mission. Let us use this day to reflect on how we can channel our collective fire toward a future where our contradictions become the foundation of our unity, and our unity becomes the strength of the Jewish people.

We may be a nation of contradictions, but a singular, eternal flame unites us. A flame that will light the way forward in a world full of moral inversion, a world that desperately needs the light we alone can offer.

Footnote: Remembering the Victims of Tragedy
As we gather around our bonfires this Lag BaOmer, we must also remember the unfortunate victims of the Meron disaster, including the gentle soul Yohanton Hevroni (the son-in-law of good friends of ours), whose life was tragically cut short. The Meron tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the critical importance of health and safety in our celebrations and gatherings.