­­ B”H iiToward a Meaningful lag B’oMer A Personal and Spiritual Guide to Lag B’Omer Making Lag B’Omer Relevant EXCLUSIVE FOR SHLUCHIM By Simon Jacobson Author of Toward A Meaningful Life , A Spiritual Guide to Counting the Omer and 60 Days: A Spiritual Guide to the High Holidays g g What is Lag B’Omer? Page 2 g Passing of Rashbi Page 2 g R’ Akiva’s Students Ceased Dying Page 4 g Lag B’Omer Laws & Customs Page 5 g The Rebbe’s Lag B’Omer Directives Page 7 g Special Role of Children Page 7 g Inner Meaning and Personal Relevance of Lag B’Omer Page 9 g Lessons from Rashbi’s Life and Teachings Page 14 222222222222 Hints for Lag B’Omer BefORe hIS PASSInG – LIGhT Torah with his chavraya at the in the Torah: הגל­הזה­גו‘­עד ­• - On Lag B’Omer Rashbi time... and in him was radiat גלעד(­ויצא­לא­,מח) reached the peak and pinna - ing a reflection of the light of“ “ha’gal hazeh..ad cle of all his levels… and this is Moshiach” (Siddur im dach, Shaar gilad” (vayetzei 31:48) – the significance of his learning ha’Lag B’Omer) Siddur im dach 304c גל­עיני­ואביטה­נפלאות • ­­מתורתך­(תהלים ק יט ,יח) – “ Gal aynei v’abitah g BIOGRAPhy g neflaois m’torescho” (Tehillim 119:18) – Chayav Odom L ’vo rech 5638 ch. 25 RABBI ShIMOn BAR yOChAI (Sichas Lag B’Omer 5710) (Rashbi) – 80 -160 Ce ashbi is a Mishnaic Tanah and the author of the classic * Kabbalistic work, the holy Zohar (Book of Splendor ), R first published in 1558. Transcribed by his student STORy R' Abba, the Zohar lays out the foundations and core Rashbi upset that R’ Avrohom halevi, principles of mysticism and contains, often in cryptic form, student of the Arizal, the cosmic secrets. An extraordinary scholar and miracle was sad on his “day of rejoicing” worker, Rabbi Shimon was renowned for his mastery of R’ Avraham halevi both the revealed and the hidden dimensions of Torah. related, that in the aforementioned year [the first year], he too h I G h L I G h T S • Due to persecution against went [with the Arizal to Meron on Lag B’Omer]. Jews led by the Roman It was R’ Avaraham • 80Ce: Born in Israel shortly emperor hadrian, halevi’s custom to recite after the destruction of the R’ Shimon is sentenced to nachem every day when Second Temple (67Ce). saying the Tishkon death for defying the prayer. And he recited it • As a young boy studies in government. forced to flee, on [Lag B’Omer] in Meron as well. When he the great academy of the he hides in a cave for thirteen years together finished the prayer, the scholars of yavneh, founded Arizal told him that he by Rabbi yochanan ben with his son, R’ elazar, saw the Rashbi awake, standing on his burial Zakkai. where they study Torah day and nig ht. A carob tree and spot, and told him: tell this person, Avaraham • his principal teacher is a spring of fresh water halevi, why does he Rabbi Akiva, whose academy miraculously spring up at recite nachem [a conso - is in B’nei Brak. Rabbi Akiva the entrance to the desert lation prayer] on the day of our rejoicing? calls him “my son.” cave and they are sustained (Shar hakavanot, Sefirat Cont’d ha’Omer, Drush 12) 222222222222 PAGE 3 222222222222 L A G B ’ O M e R C u S TO M S upsherinish – Cutting a three- We do not say Tachnun, mourn 1. year-old boys hair for the 3. or fast (Tur Shulchan Aruch, Orach first time. Chayim 493:1-2). harav yosef Sarug testified to me, that Weddings and music – one year before I knew him, the Arizal 4. Throughout the Omer we do went to Meron to cut his sons hair not celebrate festive events, with festive feast and rejoicing (Pri etz such as weddings or musical affairs. On Chaim, Shar Sefirat haomer Perek 7) Lag B’Omer, the Omer mourning prac - tices are suspended: many people get Lighting Bonfires on Lag B’Omer married and there are concerts, 2. eve – These commemorate the dancing and singing. immense light that the Rashbi introduced into the world via his food – In some circles it is mystical teachings. This was especially 5. customary to eat carobs on Lag true on the day of his passing, when he B’Omer. This commemorates a revealed to his disciples secrets of the lifesaving miracle that Rabbi Shimon Torah, whose profundity and intensity experienced. for a period of thirteen the world had yet to experience (Zohar years, Rabbi Shimon and his son were III pp. 287b-296b). The Zohar also relates fugitives from the Roman regime, in that, on the day of Rashbi’s passing, hiding in a cave in northern Israel. the house was filled with fire and Miraculously a carob tree grew at the intense light, to the point that the entrance of the cave, providing nour - assembled could not approach or even ishments for its two holy occupants. look at the Rashbi. (for more customs see Bayn Pesach L’Shavuot Chapter 18) Day of Miracles he did partake of mashkeh (strong drink), which he was not allowed to do for health reasons. * Lag Ba'Omer was one of the Mitteler Rebbe's Many wonders were seen at that time, most of particularly noteworthy festivals. he and the them involving the blessing of children for child - Chassidim would go out to the fields that day, less couples – and all year long people waited for and although he did not wash and break bread, Lag Ba'Omer. hayom yom, 18 Iyar 222222222222 PAGE 6 222222222222 The ReBBe’S LAG B’OMeR DIReCTIveS hidden) of the Torah. And doing so with g respect and love for others, including the Wherever possi - responsibility to encourage friends to ble organize Lag grow in all matters of Judaism. Children B’Omer parades lead the way – and have the power to in - and outings to spire their parents and educators as well celebrate the – toward the geulah. (see below for more on “day of my – the special role of children) Rashbi’s – rejoic - g ing,” and the end of the terrible plague every Lag B’Omer parade or celebration that killed so many of Rabbi Akiva’ should include all three pillars upon students due to their disrespect to one which the world stands: Words of Torah, another. g prayer and good deeds – giving the children candies and gifts, as well as These events should focus on children, money to distribute to charity. It would celebrating Jewish unity and pride, and also be worthwhile publishing albums of inspiring them to embrace our heritage, these events, with pictures etc. (Sichas through loving devotion to Torah and Shabbos Parshas emor 5740) Mitzvot. especially in the spirit of Rashbi – uniting both parts (the revealed and SPeCIAL ROLe Of ChILDRen rom days of yore the custom on Lag Reasons for Lag B’Omer’s special connection with children: B’Omer has been to preoccupy Fourselves with children, taking them 1 Children, who are provided for and free of worries, are in a state where out to the field, organizing for them a “Torah is their full preoccupation” – parade or a party, to honor and celebrate similar to Rashbi (Shabbos 11a). Rashbi’s day of rejoicing (Sichas Lag B’Omer 5746) Children are connected with the Inner 2 Torah (the special role of Rashbi): “As 222222222222 PAGE 7.