The Mystery of Lag B'omer

Jewish World Review ^ | 5/23/'08 | Rabbi Pinchas Stolper

[Zionist Conspirator]

Thirty-three days following the first day of Passover, Jews celebrate a "minor" holiday called Lag B'Omer, the thirty-third day of the Omer. It is an oasis of joy in the midst of the sad Sefirah period that passes almost unnoticed by most contemporary Jews. Yet it contains historic lessons of such gravity that our generation must attempt to unravel its mystery. We may well discover that our own fate is wrapped in the crevices of its secrets.

The seven weeks between Passover and Shavuos are the days of the "Counting of the Omer," the harvest festivities which were observed in the Land of Israel when the Temple stood on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. This fifty-day period should have been a time of joyful anticipation. After experiencing the Exodus from Egypt on Pesach, Jews literally "counts the days" until they can relive Mattan Torah — the Revelation of Torah at Mount Sinai which took place on Shavuos, exactly fifty days after the Exodus.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Excellent examination into the hidden truths of La"G Ba`Omer.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Ping.

[antceecee]

Great read.

[babble-on]

wow, I didn’t know that

[Mugwump]

Interesting tidbit: Mel Blanc, of Bugs Bunny fame, was married on Lag B’omer. I read it in his autobiography

[Diego1618]

Good piece of history. Thanks for posting.

[kitchen]

From the article:

Bar Kochba's army achieved many initial victories and the rebellion raged for six years. Many non-Jews joined Bar Kochba's army as well. It is reported that it grew to 400,000 men - larger than the Roman Army. Bar Kochba was so successful that Hadrian called in all of his best troops from England and Gaul. Rome felt threatened as never before. On Lag B'Omer, it is believed by some, Bar Kochba's army reconquered Jerusalem, and we celebrate that great event today. Jewish independence was restored for four years. Many believe that Bar Kochba actually began to rebuild the Beis Hamikdash, the Holy Temple.

One writer — Rabbi Leibel Resnick in "The Mystery of Bar Kokhba" (Jason Aaronson, 1996) believes that he completed the building of the Third Temple.

There were two Roman legions in the country when the uprising began, one in Jerusalem and one near Megiddo. Both were decimated by Bar Kochba's men. Reinforcements were dispatched from what are today Jordan, Syria and Egypt but these, too, were mauled. Legion 22, sent from Egypt, disappeared from the listings of military units published in Rome. Scholars speculate that it was so badly beaten (most likely in the area of Lachish) that it ceased to exist as an organized force. [emphasis added] The Jews apparently employed guerilla tactics, utilizing underground lairs, ambushing convoys and striking at night.

In desperation, Hadrian sent for his best commander, Julius Severus, who was then engaged in battle in far off Wales. Severus imported legions from Britain, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria. The Romans were hurt so badly in the bruising campaign against the Jews, that upon returning to report to the Senate in Rome, Severus omitted the customary formula, "I and my army are well."

[SunkenCiv]

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	Gods Graves Glyphs	Thanks kitchen. The Romans would have been better served by allying with the Jews, as a way of maintaining a docile "soft" frontier with Parthia, and strengthening communication and trade. Instead, the butt-pirate Hadrian was offended by circumcision, which he considered mutiliation. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. GGG managers are Blam, StayAt HomeMother, and Ernest_at_the_Beach
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[Zionist Conspirator]

Good piece of history. Thanks for posting.

You're welcome.

Apparently the Bar Kokhba' revolt marked the demarcation between the Jews as sovereign warriors and as armless exiled scholars.

[Question_Assumptions]

Reading through that, I find it difficult to see Rabbi Akiva as a hero. It says that Rabbi Akiva withdrew his support from Bar Kochba after Bar Kochba accused his cousing Rabbi Elazarof revealing the secret entrances Betar tot he Romans and killed him. So here we have, according to this article a Rabbi who decided that Bar Kochba is Messianic material, which puts the whole rebellion into motion and then at a crucial moment, decides that maybe he isn't Messianic material, after all, contributing to the whole thing falling apart. It's not that difficult to point the finger of blame in a different direction.

[CholeraJoe]

Hadrian was a butt pirate? That would explain that pesky wall built to keep real men out of Britain.

[Religion Moderator]

Do not use potty language on the Religion Forum

[CholeraJoe]

Sorry. Didn’t notice it was the Religion forum.

[SunkenCiv]

My apologies!

[Zionist Conspirator]

Today is La”G Ba`Omer. Here is an excellent article from last year. Hope it’s still accessible.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Ping.

[Diego1618]

Thanks again, ZC.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

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With thanks to ZC for posting

[Wuli]

Not to make light of this great story, of Rabbi Akiva, or of anyone else, but many find the same element - “love they neighbor as thyself” - as core in the teachings of Yeshua, whom Christians accepted as Messiah.

If only it were also true that Christians followed Rabbi Akiva’s advice concerning the necessity of the application of that teaching to the study and teaching of scripture.

I believe the advice, and the necessity for it, comes from the fact that G-d is divine, perfect and the Inspiration given from G-d is divine, perfect but the human mind and heart are not divine, perfect and thus as receptors of that inspiration we are not able, not capable of divine, perfect transmission, translation to others the inspiration we have received. If we have love and respect for our fellow believers then we must accept that our differences are due to our own imperfections and not G-d’s inspiration.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Thanks again, ZC.

You're welcome.