The very concept of 'Counting the Omer' is baffling. What are we counting, and why? Mrs. Juravel shows how these days offer a systematic program for rounding us out as individuals and for helping us track down annoying blind spots in our character.
Rabbi Akiva's late start in life at 40, plus his unpleasant execution have always been captivating stories. What drove this towering Torah giant to persistently teach Torah during very dangerous times, knowing full well that after his release from prison he would be arrested again for teaching the truth - and publicly martyred?
Why do people celebrate with such exuberant simcha two curious death related events that happened on Lag B'Omer? The first was the day Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai passed away (author of the Zohar). The second was that after the month long mass wave of deaths (Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students) they suddenly stopped. Rabbi Leff fills in the historical and spiritual details of these significant events.
A: Before discussing the month of Iyar and how it prepares us to accept the Torah, Rabbi Orlowek explains the way to hear a Kabbalistic source, and how one is emotional capacity and intrinsically connected to learning Torah on the deepest level.
B: The month of Iyar was created with the 'Vav,' the sixth letter of the Alef-Beis. The continuity of this letter and the stability within it connects to the essence of our work this month. An esoteric class on Iyar as the bridge from Pesach and Shavuos, which underscores ones individuality.
E: We esteem different categories of people, including the elderly, the wise, our parents, and those in positions of authority. What is the underlying reason for giving honor to others? Rabbi Orlowek̢s response helps us understand the behavior of Rabbi Akiva̢s students, and upon contemplation, gives a very profound appreciation for those we deal with and ourselves.
F: Torah SheBa̢al Peh, which is celebrated on Lag Ba̢Omer, has a unique quality. Rabbi Akiva was the primary disseminator of the Oral Torah, and was passed on through his students. What is the internal quality of this vast body of wisdom, and how did Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai̢s death bring about even more of this knowledge?
G: Those who represented the Oral Torah were also disseminators of unity and peace, not coincidentally. Rabbi Orlowek proves that in order to access this vast body of Torah, there must be a capacity to connect with others. Listen in for a fascinating exposition on how this reaching out must begin with a love of self in order to branch out in a healthy procession.
H: Rabbi Orlowek examines part of davening to help us remember some of the most basic fundamentals in regard to Torah. From understanding the natural path of the world to how the angels work in harmony, we follow a path of how to be successful in learning the word of Hashem.
Lag B'Omer is the holiday that commemorates the oral Torah. This day is the best time to plead for greater success in learning Torah, for you and your loved ones. The lives of Aaron HaCohen and Rebbe Akiva, pillars of the oral Torah, are presented as beautiful examples of striving souls reaching out for this treasure of treasures.
The Omer period of seven weeks leading up to kabalat HaTorah also includes the death of Rabbi Akiva's students. Rabbi Tauber ties these three together and how self-respect fully connects you to the word of God, and pinpoints where his students fell short on understanding this message. Hear also how Rabbi Akiva was the example par excellence of realizing his greatest potential - despite his background and late start in life.
We learn that the 24,000 students of Rebbe Akiva died during the Omer period because they did not respect one another. Why is it so imperative for Torah students to treat each other with heightened deference? Rabbi Weisz describes how one of Rebbe Akiva’s student passed this test with flying colors and so many Kabbalistic aspects of Torah opened wide for him.