The “omer” is a mysterious Jewish practice when we move beyond the perfectly clear biblical imperatives: first, to count 49 days between the second day of Passover and Shavuot; second, not to eat newly grown grains until the omer offering is brought on the second day of Passover. How did we jump from these to bonfires and restrictions on weddings and haircuts?
Historically, the 49-day period of the omer saw the tragic death of Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 disciples. (That any teacher could have that many disciples is itself a source of wonderment.) To commemorate that tragedy — actually, to remember its cause, namely, intra-Jewish hostility — Jewish law has required a diminution of common pleasures, such as weddings, haircuts and music. Also historically, the plague that felled all those disciples miraculously interrupted itself on the 33rd day of the omer count (“Lag b’Omer”). Hence, the celebrations on this date.
Also on the 33rd day of the omer, the founder of Jewish mysticism, Rabbi Simeon bar Yochai, passed away. His ascent to the next world from an unimaginably high, mystical place in this world has lent Lag b’Omer an ethereal quality. A time to mark not just the yahrzeit of Rabbi bar Yochai but to stand in awe of all that he stood for: other-worldly spiritual pursuits, asceticism, study of Torah and study of the secrets of the universe.
Meanwhile, all this translates for children to a roaring good time around bonfires and barbecues, and, yes haircuts and weddings and music. This Sunday is Lag b’Omer. See the IJN calendar for picnics and other events around the city and the region.
Meanwhile, the count to Shavuot continues next Monday as we remember the origin of the count — the liberation celebrated on Passover — and the culmination of the count — the receipt of the Torah. Funny, this Torah. It’s a book. Words. And yet, its study provides the highest spiritual rewards. The omer count takes us there.
Copyright © 2013 by the Intermountain Jewish News
