Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Tonight begins a day of rejoicing, and we need it. While the Omer period was meant to be a joyous anticipation from Pesach to Shavuot, historical tragedy entered this season. The Hadrianic persecutions, Crusades, Yom Hashoah and other sad chapters of suffering took place at this time of year. While customs vary, most Jews mourn for either thirty two days or almost all forty nine days of the Omer.

The thirty third day of the Omer stands out as a day of rejoicing. The Talmud describes the deaths of Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students coming to an end on Lag Ba'Omer, the thirty third day of the Omer. This teaching may be a euphemism for the deaths which took place during the Hadrianic period of the Roman Empire.

Another tradition identifies Lag Ba'Omer as the Hilula, celebration, on the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. A student of Rabbi Akiva, he inspired the early stages of Kabbalistic teachings in rabbinic Judaism. Bonfires are lit to honor his memory.

As a day school student, regular classes were paused on Lag B'Omer. Instead, we participated in outdoor  sporting events, symbolically referring to Jews coming out from caves of hiding on this day during Roman oppression.

During the sadness surrounding Covid, we especially need a day of rejoicing right now. So, find some time to do something fun and meaningful on Lag Ba'Omer. In preparation, my class today at noon will focus on the history, ritual, and customs. Tonight after Maariv, Rabbi Grundland will lead a virtual bonfire kumzits.

I wish everyone a Lag Ba'Omer Sameach.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison