A. During the period between Passover and Shavuot (or until Lag B’Omer) traditional Jews refrain from live music and weddings etc in commemoration of the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who died during this time, about 2,000 years ago. True, worse events have happened since in our long exile. But these deaths were attributed to the lack of respect and understanding amongst these scholars, and is therefore a symbol for the need for unity, love and mutual respect we Jews are supposed to feel for each other. This remains a problem down to our times, so it is still remembered.