Jewish holiday Lag BaOmer lights up Israel with bonfires and song, in photos

News > National News

Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Children collect wood for a a bonfire during Lag BaOmer celebrations in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Children collect wood for a a bonfire during Lag BaOmer celebrations in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish children build bonfires in preparation for Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish children build bonfires in preparation for Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, at the Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, at the Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, on Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, on Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, at the Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, at the Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys prepare to light a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys prepare to light a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys are reflected in a window as they stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys are reflected in a window as they stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews are reflected in a window as they stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews are reflected in a window as they stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth stands next to bonfires during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth stands next to bonfires during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish children build bonfires in preparation for Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish children build bonfires in preparation for Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

4:40 PM on Monday, May 4

By Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Lag BaOmer is a festive day in the Jewish calendar that brings communities together in celebration and shared tradition. It falls on the 33rd day of a 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot, and marks a pause during a period of mourning. Across Israel, the holiday is most visible through bonfires that light up the night, as families and friends gather outdoors to sing, share food, and spend time together.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

This content is used here with permission. To view the original visit: https://apnews.com/article/lag-baomer-jewish-holiday-bonfire-483cb6ba440ed03f2912267fdd11e1c7
 

You might also be interested in:

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links

On Air & Up Next

  • The Joe Piscopo Show
    6:00AM - 10:00AM
     
    There is something about Joe that makes you feel at home. Wake up with Joe and   >>
     
  • The Mike Gallagher Show
    10:00AM - 12:00PM
     
    Mike Gallagher is one of the most listened-to radio talk show hosts in America.   >>
     
  • The Alex Marlow Show
    12:00PM - 1:00PM
     
    An Alternative Voice in a Time of Conformity
     
  • The Scott Jennings Show
    1:00PM - 3:00PM
     
    Jennings is battle-tested on cable news, a veteran of four presidential   >>
     
  • The Hugh Hewitt Show
    3:00PM - 4:00PM
     
    Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media   >>
     

See the Full Program Guide