Thursday, Iyar 18, 5779 / May 23, 2019 (33rd day of the Omer)

Today, (Thursday) isLag B'Omer – A dayassociated with two of the greatest Talmudic sages and leaders of the Jewish people; Rabbi Akiva and his student Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. 

On Lag B’Omer we celebrate two significant historical events: 1) A plague, which took the lives of Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students, stopped on this day.  2) Lag B’Omer is the day of passing (known as "Hillula") of the Talmudic sage and mystic, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai - commonly called by the acronym of his name; Rashbi.  He is buried, together with his son, Rabbi Elazar, in Miron, Israel. 

In Israel, tens of thousands of people visit Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s burial place on Lag B’Omer and rejoice there with lighting bonfires, singing and dancing.

Q. Why is this day called Lag B’Omer?

A. Each Hebrew letter has a numerical value; Lag is a combination of two letters, Lamed & Gimel, which together add up to 33 – the 33rd day in the Omer.

A plague which claimed the lives of 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva’s students, miraculously stopped on Lag B’Omer. As a result, this day is celebrated with great joy and has special significance for children and students. Although we don’t perform weddings during Sefirah, it is permitted on Lag B’Omer.

Rabbi Akiva lived at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple, when Israel was occupied by the Romans.  Rabbi Akiva was one of the "Ten Martyrs." He was brutally murdered by the Romans.

Q.  Why are bonfires lit in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai?

A. On the day Rabbi Shimon died, he revealed the greatest Torah secrets to his students. A fire surrounded the house, preventing anyone, but his closest students, from approaching. In commemoration, bonfires are lit on Lag B'Omer.

The following parable by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai is worth remembering.  A boat filled with people was sailing.  One of the passengers took a sharp tool and began to bore a hole under his seat.  The others started shouting, "What are you doing?  Stop!"

The man replied, "What business is it of yours? I am boring a hole under my seat!"

The other passengers replied, "Fool!  Don't you realize that by boring a hole under your seat, you will flood the boat and we will all drown! Similarly," says Rabbi Shimon, "one must remember that every act we do affects not only us but the entire world!"   May their memories be a blessing to us all.  Amen.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & HAPPY LAG B’OMER