B"H
Wednesday, Iyar 17, 5776 / May 25, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR
Tonight, (Wednesday night)and Thursday is Lag B'Omer – A dayassociated with two of the greatest sages and leaders of their generation; Rabbi Akiva, and his student, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
Lag B’Omer is related to Rabbi Akiva because a plague which claimed the lives of thousands (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 weddings are not performed during most of the Sefirah days, yet, on Lag B’Omer, because it is such a joyous day, weddings are performed.
Rabbi Akivalived about 2,000 years ago, at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple, when the land of Israel was occupied by the Romans. Rabbi Akiva was one of the "Ten Martyrs." He was brutally murdered by the Romans for teaching Torah.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, or as he is commonly called by the acronym of his name, “Rashbi,” passed away on Lag B’Omer. He and his son, Rabbi Elazar, are buried in Meron, Israel. Hundreds of thousands of Jews visit Rabbi Shimon’s gravesite on Lag B’Omer. Bonfires are lit in Meron and throughout Israel on Lag B’Omer, in honor of Rabbi Shimon.
Q.Why is the day of Rabbi Shimon’s passing a joyous day?
A.On the day of his passing, Rabbi Shimon revealed to his disciples the deepest secrets of the Torah and mystical teachings of Kaballah. On his last day he accomplished the greatest level of holiness a human can accomplish. Rabbi Shimon instructed his disciples to mark this day a day of joy.
Q. Why are bonfires lit in honor of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai?
A. The Zohar says that on the day Rabbi Shimon died, a great light of endless joy filled the day because of the Torah secrets he revealed 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.
Q.Why is the day called Lag B’Omer?
A. “Lag” is a combination of two Hebrew letters, Lamed & Gimmel which spell Lag. Each Hebrew letter has a numerical value; “Lamed” = 30 & “Gimel” = 3. Together they add up to 33. Lag B’Omer is on the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer.
Rabbi Shimon said: “There are three crowns: the crown of the Torah, the crown of priesthood, and the crown of royalty; but the crown of a good name excels above them all.”
He told his students: “One should rather jump into a fiery furnace than offend someone in public.” May their memories be a blessing to all. Amen
HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL AND WONDERFUL DAY