Special Message from Rabbi Berrnstein "Death of 45 People in Israel on Lag Ba'Omer"
Today marks the 33rd day of the Omer, as well as a deeply upsetting tragedy in Israel. As is custom for many Hasidim, a group of over 50,000 gathered at the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on Mt. Meron on the eve of Lag Ba'omer. A stampede ensued as a result of many falling on a slippery walkway leading to panic. Forty-five people died and many were injured.
The tradition tells us that Lag Ba'omer is a day of celebrating because there had been a terrible plague that took the lives of 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva's students and the plague lifted on the 33rd day of the Omer. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai, thought to have written the mystical book the Zohar, survived. In this instance, the celebration now leads to mourning.
Our hearts cry for the mourners and the children still separated from their parents. So many are now lost.
There is a verse in Psalms (30:11): "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy." The opposite is true today. Our dancing turned into mourning and our robes of joy are now sackcloths as we mourn these 45 souls
From Cantor Joshua Diamond Friday, April 30, 2021
Dear CBO Family,
Our Parsha this week states, “You shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified in the midst of the Israelite people-I the Lord who sanctify you, I who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your G-d, I the Lord.” (Vayikra, Parshat Emor 22:32-33) What is so significant about this quote from our Torah portion that is filled with laws and procedures that seem to mostly pertain to the Kohanim?
When a Mitzvah (Commandment) is performed in public it not only benefits the individual who is performing it, it also effects those who witness it. There is a name in Hebrew for this act, it is called Kiddush Hashem-Sanctifying G-d’s name. There are many examples of this, however one of the most moving and powerful takes place during Minyan. When a member of our community loses a loved one as many of us have in the past year, they say Kaddish in the presence of a Minyan-ten Jews.
What does Kaddish mean? Essentially, it is a prayer praising G-d. At this point in a person’s life, it can be difficult to want to praise G-d when the only thing they might want to do is the opposite of praising G-d. However when an individual says Kaddish and praises G-d they send a powerful message to the community. It strengthens the faith of the community, seeing this newly bereaved individual praise G-d. “The Talmud states that there is no greater achievement for a Jew than acting in a way that causes others to praise and respect the G-d of Israel and the Torah’s ways. (Babylonian Talmud Yoma 86a)
It is one of the most difficult things to lead by example for a community when you are hurting from loss, but as we see from our Torah portion and the Talmud, it enriches the community by a renewed sense of faith. Consider this when you see and hear members of our community saying Kaddish. We are all here for each other and can be examples to one another of what it means to do acts of Kiddush Hashem. May this Shabbat bring you peace, understanding, wisdom and health and a strengthened sense of faith.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you are feeling overwhelmed, alone, sad, or just want to talk and Schmooze.
Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Diamond
Mazal Tov to the Levinsohns-Melissa, Jeffrey and sister, Sophie Levinsohn on Ethan becoming a Bar Mitzvah, May 1, 2021.
Mazal Tov to Renee & Steven Wachtler and their children, Brandis and Stuart on the naming of your granddaughter, Liv Maddyn.
Mazal Tov to Ira and Robin Faber and their children, Stephanie & Justin on the birth of their grandson, Benjamin Max Billig and a special Mazal Tov to great grandma, Irene.
CLICK HEREfor the Schedule of Services, Minyans & Events
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism