Today is the 30th Day of the Omer.
The omer represents a period of anticipation, including our physical anticipation of the coming harvest and the first fruits, as well as our spiritual anticipation of revelation, both celebrated on Shavuot.
However, the omer also represents a period of mourning. According to the Talmud, we mourn for the death of Rabbi Akiba’s 24,000 students, who suffered from a plague for failing to treat one another with respect. Historians suggest that the period of mourning may be associated with those who died during the unsuccessful Bar Kochba revolt.
However, tradition holds that on the 33rd day of the omer, Lag B’Omer, the Jews enjoyed a respite from their distress. As such, the days of mourning are suspended, and many Ashkenazi Jews engage in celebrations, including parties, weddings, picnics, bonfires, and more. Sephardic Jews wait for the 34th day to celebrate.
The most well-known custom is the lighting of bonfires. Kabbalists associate this tradition with the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, credited as the author of the Zohar. By lighting the fires, kabbalists commemorate the spiritual illumination the Rabbi brought into the world. Others connect the bonfires to the Bar Kochba rebellion, suggesting that they represent the signal fires used by Jewish sentries.
However, the lighting of fire can also serve as an entreaty to consider: What light can we bring into the world in this moment?
— Rabbi Josh Knobel