Parashat Emor contains the instruction to count seven weeks from the day after Pesah to Shavuot, Sefirat HaOmer.  Over the centuries, this period has been associated with a number of significant moments in Jewish history leading to the accretion of many customs and practices unrelated to the biblical counting.  Although most of these practices—like not getting married or getting one’s hair cut—have to do with mourning, there is a strange interruption (or cessation) of the mourning that occurs on the 33rd day of the count, Lag BaOmer.  In addition to the pausing of these mournful practices, there are a number of interesting customs associated with the day of Lag BaOmer itself.  One in particular, though waning in popularity, is worth noting- the custom for children to play with bows and arrows on this day.  What is the connection between this strange and somewhat violent custom and Lag BaOmer?  And what might it teach us about the entire period of counting the Omer itself?