By: Yehuda Shurpin

There is a Jewish custom in some communities that on the 33rd day of the Omer count, known as Lag BaOmer, children go out into the fields and play with bows and arrows.

A Rainbow Was Not Seen

The reason usually given for this custom is that this day marks the passing of one of the greatest sages of the Mishnah, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. In addition to being one of the greatest Taanaic sages, he is also known as the author of the sacred kabbalistic work the Zohar (“Brilliance”), which contains the mystical interpretations of the Torah.

The sages proclaimed that no rainbow appeared in the sky during the lifetime of Rabbi Shimon.1 What’s so great about that?

After the Great Flood in the days of Noah, a rainbow appeared in the sky—a symbol from G‑d that He would never again destroy the world by flood. The appearance of a rainbow is therefore a sign that the world, or portions of it, are deserving of punishment. Thus, the sages were proclaiming that during his lifetime, Rabbi Shimon’s merit protected the entire generation and there was no need for a rainbow to appear.

The Hebrew word for “rainbow,” keshet, refers to both the rainbow as well as the bow used in archery (in fact, the rainbow is called G‑d’s “bow”2). To demonstrate that after Rabbi Shimon’s passing there is now a need for the sign of the (rain)bow, many have the custom to play with bows and arrows on this day.3

The Rainbow of Moshiach

The Lubavitcher Rebbe points out that there must be a more positive reason for this custom as well, because the above reason draws attention to the fact that we unfortunately no longer have Rabbi Shimon’s merit and we therefore need the sign of the bow.4

The Zohar tells us that before the coming of the Moshiach, an especially bright rainbow will appear in the sky, heralding the coming redemption. The Zohar explain that at present the rainbow appears in dull colors since it is only designed as a reminder that there shall be no return of the flood as there was in the days of Noah. At the time of the redemption, however, it will appear in its full panoply of colors as a reflection of the everlasting covenant G‑d made with His people.5

Since Lag BaOmer marks the passing of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who began revealing the inner dimensions and secrets of the Torah, it is the custom to play with the bow, symbolizing the especially bright (rain)bow that will appear to herald the final redemption.6

Why Especially the Students?

In addition to the passing of Rabbi Shimon, Lag BaOmer also marks the day that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying. The Talmud relates that during the weeks between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot, a plague raged among the disciples of the great sage Rabbi Akiva (teacher of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai) “because they did not act respectfully toward each other.” These weeks are therefore observed as a period of mourning. On Lag BaOmer, the deaths ceased; thus, Lag BaOmer also carries the theme of love and respect.

As the Lubavitcher Rebbe explains, this gives us a deeper understanding as to why specifically young students take time off from their studies to go out into the field to play with bows and arrows.

(Chabad.org)