Rabbi Howard Morrison

On Friday, we will celebrate Lag B'Omer, the 33rd day in the counting period between Pesach and Shavuot. The day is considered one of semi-rejoicing on the Jewish Calendar. According to Jewish tradition, a plague which had killed 12,000 pairs of Rabbi Akiva's students ended or paused on Lag B'Omer. As a result, one celebrates the day and honors Jewish teachers and students. Scholars point out that the euphemistic explanation in the Talmud refers to the slaughter brought upon the Jewish people who tried to fight back against the Hadrianic Roman persecution of our people in the 130's CE, in the aftermath of the Second Temple period.

Despite the failure of the Bar Kochba revolt, the Jewish people demonstrated resilience against the Roman Empire in trying to fight back. Even more noteworthy in the aftermath of the Temple's destruction in 70CE and the failed revolt in 135CE is the spiritual resilience which followed. Without the ritual of the holy Temple, our ancestors rejuvenated and reinvigorated Judaism by emphasizing study, prayer, and acts of kindness. In a short period of time, the Mishna, the foundation of Judaism's oral tradition, was codified by the early 200's CE. Even more than the Bible itself, the Mishna and Talmud which followed became the foundations for Judaism from antiquity to this very day.

For four thousand years, resilience has been a watchword of the Jewish people. How else did we survive Pharaoh? Amalek? Haman? the Syrian-Greeks? the Romans? the Crusaders? the Nazis? Hamas? and many others? in the past year and a half, resilience has enabled our people to not only survive but to thrive as well. While mourning our losses, we continue to celebrate our heritage, mark lifecycle milestones, and stand proud as Jews in front of Jew-hatred coming at us from every direction.

Take some time on Lag B'Omer to reflect on a nation that stands up for itself, fights back when necessary, and keeps on going strong.

Lab B'Omer Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison