Jews Celebrate Lag BaOmer

Jewish children roast marshmallows on the beach in the northern city of Netanya on 21 May 2008 during celebrations marking the holy day of Lag BaOmer, a Jewish festival which marks Bar Yochai's death.

Thousands of Jews light large bonfires all night long in many areas of the Jewish sector.

Bar Yochai was one of the most important sages in Jewish history some 1,800 years ago, during the Roman occupation in Palestine.

According to the Talmud, Rabbi Simeon bar Yohai criticized the Roman government and was forced to go into hiding with his son for many years in a cave.

He is noted for many Jewish works mainly in mysticism, among other phenomena, according to Jewish tradition.