Today we count the 33 day of the Omer “Hod shebe Hod” (humility within humility). We also celebrate the very special day of Lag Baomer. Today we rejoice because Rabbi Akiva’s students stopped dying from a plague. 24,000 righteous individuals died because they didn’t respect and honor each other. In contrast, we also celebrate the passing of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai also known as Rashbi. He lived around 2000 years and when persecuted by the Roman Emperor he hid in a cave with his son Eliezer for 13 years surviving by eating carobs and drinking water. It was at this moment that the secrets of the hidden Torah were revealed to him and as such authored the Zohar and brought the knowledge of the Kabbalah to the world. In contrast with the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva, who we have been mourning their loss since Pesach till today, the Rashbi (a surviving student of Rabbi Akiva) many years later on the same day, asked that he not be mourned the day of his death. The reason? He felt that since he had achieved his mission in life, the day of his death had to be turned into a day of joy.
Imagine how much potential was lost from these 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who were all in the same level as the Rashbi. They all could of had brought so much more light to the world, just as the Rashbi did if they would of left their differences behind and would’ve concentrated on their potential.
The world hasn’t changed much, and sadly many people are more worried about their differences with others than bringing their strengths and potentials to light.
“Hod shebe Hod,” reminds us to not only recognize the goodness in others but also to look for the goodness within us.
Chag Baomer!!!
#lagbaomer #countingoftheomer #humility
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