Lag B’Omer 2022 – The 33rd Day of the Omer

Lag B’Omer 2022 – The 33rd Day of the Omer

Two significant events occurred on Lag B’Omer (This year beginning at sundown on Wednesday, May 18, 2022), and though separated by many years, they both contribute to its special status. On the thirty third day of the counting of the Omer, Rabbi Akivah’s students stopped dying. Because the epidemic lasted thirty three days, the common…

Believing In Ourselves

Believing In Ourselves

This week is Parshat Va’etchanan, but the Shabbat is actually known as “Shabbat Nachamu,” which means the “Sabbath of Comfort.” It is because we had previously three weeks of mourning for the destruction of the Temple, the exile, and all the subsequent tragedies due to that exile, culminating in the most intense mourning on the…

Absolutely!

Absolutely!

There is a popular misconception that “Judaism is not a religion of dogma” and that it makes no demands on belief.  However, it is clear from the Torah itself that there are obligations of the intellect as well as obligations of action. I am the Lord your God, Who has taken you out of the…

Simplicity

Simplicity

During the months of summer, I often find myself thinking of some of our memorable vacations. One comes to mind as especially enjoyable.  Our family attended a Shabbaton at Kesher Israel congregation in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where I was scholar in residence.  The Rabbi, the synagogue and the community were all wonderful, warm, fantastic and incredibly…

Moving the Mountain

Moving the Mountain

The Jewish people experienced a unique event at Mt. Sinai.  Hashem spoke to an entire people and elevated every member of the nation, at least momentarily, to the level of prophecy.  How could the Jewish people preserve, to the greatest possible degree, that connection to Hashem and the clear perception of His presence for all…