Lag B'Omer

Lag B'Omer
State Medal, 1992 5752

Lag B'Omer is the 33rd day of the Omer, the 49 day period of counting which begins the second night of Pesach and ends with Shavuot. The holiday is day upon which the Tana Rabbi Simeon Bar Yochai died. According to tradition, this day, upon which his soul was lifted to the highest spiritual level, and the Book of the Zohar was written, is one of great joy. It is marked with bonfires, celebration, song and dance, and prayer that Bar Yochai's soul protect all the people of Israel. On the night of Lag B'Omer, the land is filled with the light of bonfires. Children play with bows and arrows, weddings and other celebrations are resumed and haircutting and shaving, prohibited during the Counting of the Omer, are permitted.

Obverse: A stylized bonfire crowned by seven fames signifying the seven weeks of the Counting of the Omer. Below, a wedding ring, and along the circumference, the words "LAG B'OMER" in Hebrew and Latin letters.

Reverse: The hall of the tomb of Rabbi Simeon Bar Yochai. To the left, the flames of a bonfire. Above, in Hebrew, the inscription "celebration of R. Simeon Bar Yochai".

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL' in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left and serial number. Bronze/tombac medal - "BRONZE" in Hebrew and English; Silver medal - "Silver 935" in Hebrew and English; gold medal - milled.

Serialization: Bronze/tombac and silver medals are numbered.

Designer:
Obverse - Ehud Shafrir.
Reverse - Ruben Nutels.

Engraving: Kretschmer.

Mint:
Bronze/tombac and gold - Kretschmer.
Silver - The Government Mint.