Why do we celebrate, after the 24,000 Talmidim stopped dying?
Why do we celebrate, after the 24,000 Talmidim stopped dying?
The Pri Chodosh ( O Ch. 493 ) asked this question and answered that the Simcha is, for the five new talmidim (after the death of the 24,000) who didn’t die. (קצת דוחק -אמבצי)
Perhaps we can say, in Shas Bavli & Yerushalmi there is no mention of Lag Baomer. The first ones to mention L.B. are some Rishonim in the name of the Gaonim. The Rishonim, Tur, and Mechaber who do mention Lag Baomer don’t mention or consider L. B. as a day of Simcha. All they say is that there is no Aveilus on L. B., (weddings, haircuts etc. permitted) because they stopped dying. There is no mention of a Yom Tov on L. B.
It is only the Rema in the name of the Maharil who writes that on L. B. we are “מרבים בו קצת שמחה*.” (increase a little Simcha)
The Rema does not give any reason why the Simcha. It definitely is not because they stopped dying, but for other reasons.
The Chasam Sofer (Y.D. 233) gives two reasons why we increase with Simcha on L. B.
1) הוד שבהוד (Kabalistic)
2) According to the Midrash, the מן (Manna) came down the first time on L. B.
The Chasam Sofer continues and says that To establish Lag Baomer. as a Yom of Simcha and make a fire at this specific place (Meron) and have the masses come there, He is not sure if this may be done. No נס happened on that day and no mention of it in the Gemoro or Poskim as Yom Tov. The extent of Simcha is only, no fasting and no hesped.
Because they stopped dying we stop our Aveilus but this is not the reason why we rejoice. We rejoice because of הוד שבהוד or because of the מן etc.
* seems less Simcha than Mishnichnas Adar Marbin B’Simcha (no Ketzas).