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Thursday, Iyar 18, 5782 (33rd day of the Omer)/ May 19, 2022

 

Today, the eighteenth day in Iyar, is Lag B’Omer - the day in which two special events occurred about 2,000 years ago.

 

1) A plague, which took the lives of Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students, stopped on this day. 

 

2) It is the day of passing of the Talmudic sage and mystic, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Rashbi). He is buried, together with his son, Rabbi Elazar, in Miron, Israel. Tens of thousands come every year on this day to visit, pray, sing and dance at Rabbi Shimon’s burial site. Rabbi Shimon told his disciples that the day when he returns his soul to his maker should be a very joyous day. Unfortunately, last year 45 people perished due to a stampede at the gravesite. May their souls rest in peace.

 

Q.   Why the name Lag B’Omer?

 

A.   Between Pesach and Shavuot (next upcoming holiday) we count the Omer for a total of 49 days. “Lag” is a combination of two Hebrew letters, Lamed & Gimel which spell Lag.  Each Hebrew letter has a numerical value; Lamed is, 30; Gimel is 3.  Together they add up to 33. Lag B’Omer means the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer.

 

Q.   Why are bonfires lit at Rabbi Shimon’s gravesite and throughout Israel in his honor on this day?

 

A.   The Zohar says that on the day Rabbi Shimon passed away, a great light of endless joy filled the day because of the Torah secrets he revealed to his students. The sun did not set until Rabbi Shimon had revealed all that he was allowed to.  As soon as he was done, the sun set and he passed away.  A fire, miraculously surrounded the house, preventing anyone, but his closest students from approaching.  This is the basis for the custom of lighting bonfires on Lag B'Omer.

 

Q.   What are some of the teachings of these two sages, Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Shimon?

 

A.   Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai gives the following parable to explain how we are all responsible for each other.  A boat filled with people was sailing on the open seas, when one of the passengers took a sharp tool and began to bore a hole under his seat. 

 

"What are you doing?  Stop!" The other people on the boat shouted hysterically. The man replied, "What business is it of yours? I paid for my seat. I’m 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 all will drown?! Similarly, every act we do affects not only us but the entire world!"

 

One of Rabbi Akiva’s famous teachings, “Love your fellow as yourself is the basis for the entire Torah and mitzvot.” It is not just another mitzvah, but the foundation of everything.” May their memories on this special day be a blessing to us all. Amen.

 

HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL AND WONDERFUL DAY