All over Israel, children go on field trips, hike through the countryside and play outdoor sports.
Families get together for picnics and barbecues or in the evening for coffee and cake.
The holiday is celebrated because, according to the Talmud, a plague that had struck down thousands of Rabbi Akiba's students finally ended on Lag B'Omer, also known as Scholars' Day. Another explanation is that under the Roman rule of Judea, teaching Torah had been banned. It is said that for 13 years he lived on the fruit of the carob tree that grew outside his cave. A more romantic custom is for weddings to take place on Lag B'Omer, the only day that marriages may be performed during the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot. If you're planning a holiday picnic, foods should be easy to carry and eaten out of hand.