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by Gila Stern
Herut North America, Herut Candidate Delegate.
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Lag Ba’Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer count, is a Jewish holiday that pulses with spiritual depth, historical resonance, and a fierce spirit of resilience. Celebrated on the 18th of Iyar—falling on May 16, 2025, this year—it is a day of joy marked by bonfires, outings, and a break from the mourning customs of the Omer period. Traditionally, it commemorates the cessation of a plague that killed Rabbi Akiva’s disciples and honors the mystical legacy of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. Yet, in the modern era, Lag ba’Omer has also become a powerful symbol of Jewish strength, resistance, and national pride, particularly through its association with the Bar Kokhba Revolt. This vibrant holiday finds a profound echo in the mission of Herut North America, an organization that champions unapologetic Zionism, igniting the same fiery spirit of Jewish sovereignty and identity in today’s world.
Historically, Lag Ba’Omer’s connection to the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–136 CE) was amplified by the early Zionist movement, which sought to reclaim Jewish agency and honor. Shimon Bar Kokhba, a second-century Jewish warrior, led a rebellion against Roman oppression, embodying the “muscle Jew” idealized by Zionist thinker Max Nordau—a stark contrast to the passive, persecuted Diaspora Jew. Early Zionists reinterpreted Lag Ba’Omer’s bonfires as signals lit by Bar Kokhba’s rebels, symbolizing defiance and the fight for freedom. As Tuvia Book notes, “The nascent Zionist movement wanted to reemphasize the connection with the Jews and their land, and indeed our warrior past.” This reinterpretation transformed Lag ba’Omer into a celebration of Jewish power and self-determination, a narrative that resonates deeply with Herut North America’s ethos.
Herut North America, describing itself as “The Unapologetic Zionists,” embodies this same bold, defiant spirit. Founded on the principles of Ze’ev Jabotinsky’s Revisionist Zionism, Herut is dedicated to fostering Jewish pride, educating youth, and advocating for Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign Jewish state. Its mission aligns seamlessly with the Zionist reimagining of Lag Ba’Omer: both reject passivity and embrace action. Just as Bar Kokhba’s rebels lit signal fires to coordinate their resistance, Herut lights metaphorical fires of education and activism, rallying Jews—especially young people—to stand tall in their identity. As David Simon, a supporter, declared, “At a time like this, unapologetically Zionists is exactly what we need!”
Lag Ba’Omer’s dual significance—spiritual and martial—mirrors the multifaceted approach of Herut. On one hand, the holiday celebrates Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s mystical revelations, which illuminated the esoteric soul of the Torah. Bonfires, a central custom, symbolize the radiant light of his teachings, as noted by Chabad: “The fiery spirit of the mystical teachings… is celebrated today.” On the other hand, the Zionist lens casts these flames as embers of rebellion, honoring Bar Kokhba’s fight for Jewish independence. Herut similarly balances spiritual and practical dimensions: it nurtures Jewish souls through education while fiercely defending Israel’s physical and political existence. This duality is evident in Herut’s work, from helping olim like Sarah Martynov navigate the Aliyah process to organizing campus events that embolden Jewish students to counter anti-Zionist narratives.
In modern Israel, Lag Ba’Omer is a “symbol for the fighting Jewish spirit,” with the establishment of the Palmach in 1941 and the Israel Defense Forces in 1948 symbolically tied to this date. Herut North America channels this spirit across the Diaspora, urging Jews to embrace their heritage without apology. In an era when Jewish students face exclusion on campuses—sometimes subjected to a “good Jew test” that demands renouncing Zionism—Herut’s call to be “unapologetically Jewish and Zionist” is a clarion call for courage. Ysabella Hazan, a young activist, describes this exclusion as “traditional anti-Semitism… socially normalized,” emphasizing that Zionism is about Jewish pride, not negation of others. Herut’s events, like its successful May 2024 kick-off, empower youth to resist such pressures, much like Bar Kokhba resisted Roman tyranny.
The holiday’s customs—bonfires, bows and arrows, and communal gatherings—evoke unity and strength, themes central to Herut’s vision. In Israel, children play with bows and arrows, recalling Bar Kokhba’s warriors, while bonfires foster camaraderie and shared purpose. Herut’s initiatives, such as its planned 2025 campus events, create similar spaces for Jewish unity, encouraging dialogue and solidarity. By participating in the World Zionist Congress elections, Herut ensures Jewish voices shape Israel’s future, echoing Lag Ba’Omer’s message that redemption comes through action, not passive prayer.
Yet, Lag Ba’Omer also invites reflection on unity’s challenges. The plague that killed Rabbi Akiva’s disciples is attributed to their lack of mutual respect, a lesson for today’s Jewish community. Mark Wildes asks, “Can the different parts of the Jewish community, secular but proud Zionists… work together with those motivated by religious passion?” Herut answers affirmatively, bridging diverse Jewish identities under the banner of Zionism. Its inclusive approach—supporting Jews “irrespective of location or background”—mirrors Lag Ba’Omer’s call for harmony amidst diversity.
As we approach Lag Ba’Omer 2025, the holiday’s flames illuminate a path forward. They remind us of Bar Kokhba’s audacity, Rabbi Shimon’s wisdom, and the Zionist dream that transformed an obscure holiday into a celebration of Jewish resilience. Herut North America carries this torch, inspiring Jews to be unapologetic in their Zionism and unwavering in their commitment to Israel. In a world where Jewish identity is often challenged, Herut’s work is a bonfire of hope, kindling pride and purpose. Let us celebrate Lag Ba’Omer not just with fires and festivities but with a renewed resolve to stand tall, united, and unapologetically Zionist—ensuring that the Jewish spirit burns brightly for generations to come.
