Dear friends,
This is an exciting week coming up, and let me tell you why.
As a child, I remember Lag BaOmer was always a special holiday. And now, as an adult, it’s even more meaningful. The message behind it is deeply relevant—perhaps more now than ever.
This coming Thursday is a special day on the Jewish calendar. It marks the passing of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the Talmudic sage who introduced the study of Jewish mysticism to the masses.
It also marks the day when the plague stopped among the students of Rabbi Akiva.
And here is the powerful message:
When Rabbi Akiva lost 24,000 students, he didn’t become hopeless. He didn’t give up or give in. When the last funeral concluded, when the last shiva was observed, on Lag BaOmer he found five new students and started again.
Lag BaOmer is the celebration of never becoming hopeless or despondent. It is a day of tenacity, resilience, and a commitment to carry on and to continue our magnificent heritage and sacred mission in this world. The message is clear: keep the fire burning. Keep the passion, energy, and enthusiasm going. Live the legacy of Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, and the holy souls we’ve lost since October 7.
Let’s shine their light forward. We carry their mission. And we must never allow that light to dim.
Especially now, with everything going on in the world, it’s easy to feel drained. Sometimes it can feel like our inner flame is fading. But this is precisely when we need to dig deeper. To keep the fire of our neshama alive and glowing. To stay connected. To stay inspired. Because the world needs our light more than ever. Every mitzvah, every act of kindness, every moment of Jewish pride adds fuel to that flame. We don’t burn out. We burn brighter.
As we pray for ourselves and our families, let’s also pray for all those who will spend this Shabbos without their loved ones. Pray for the hostages and for the holy land of Israel, the Jewish people, and the world over—for light, love, and peace.
Lag BaOmer is a special day of unity. When God looks down and sees His children united, He opens the heavens and showers blessings upon us all.
Let’s come together this Thursday at 6 PM for a special community Lag BaOmer barbecue. The greatest blessing is when we stand united as a community. “How good and how pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together.” It will be a beautiful time to reconnect, to celebrate, and to uplift one another. Please RSVP by clicking here. We can’t wait to see you there.
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos