Each and every chag allows us to focus on different aspects relevant to our lives, kehilla, nation and country …what is special is that it occurs just once a year and that whats keeps it unique, interesting and nostalgic.
Special days in the calendar allow us to invest time, thought and energy with the ideal of going forth better equipped and focus on the needs and goals of tomorrow.
Lag Ba'omer is that one special day that has multiple aspects relevant to us, as we progress towards Matan Torah, absorb the period of mourning and rejoice around the historical era of Rabbi Akiva and celebrate the birth of our youth movement .
The annual count, marking our break away from slavery to freedom, from exile to redemption, rings home year in and year out. Our freedom should not be taken for granted, in fact our 'free choice' should be seen not as a luxury but as a key to our continued existence.
Matan Torah is an ongoing process , we need to work towards accepting, understanding and preserving . We are chosen guarantors to ensure the continuation of Am Israel, keep the Torah alive and a Light to the Nations. If we remain united ,as we encamped by Mount Sinai , we won't need to flee from the sword of our enemy ; because Kol Israel Areivim ze la ze.
Rabbi Akiva represents an era , a Torah giant , a leader of Am Israel and emulates as a role model the different facets of life .
It is Rabbi Akiva who stood firm against the annihalation of our people, not afraid of risk, but rather a fervent believer in rebellion. It was natural for him to combine the Book and the Sword , together with his Messianic belief, driving him together with Bar Kochba and his students to repel the Roman Armor and Decrees.
Akiva , the renowned sheperd , serves as an inspiration, connecting Aleph to Bet, flowing into a sea of knowledge ; it is never too late to learn. And if all goes wrong, it is all for the best, gird yourself and begin again.
If thousands of your followers are doomed, a handful of new Talmidim can cause a rennaisance. If you are witness to destruction and tears and despair surrounds you; look at reality with the right perspective and with a smile on your face, lay the foundations for the future.
It is this that what really comforts us, in times of mourning.
Rabbi Akiva is who he is, and we are who we are, because of the cruciality of the family unit and partnership. His love for his soulmate Rachel is an example of true devotion with which the foundation of our Nation is built. It is therefore symbolic that his expression of love was expressed by the jewel of jewels : Jerusalem of Gold.
Bnei Akiva , the religious zionist youth movement, dedicated to the lofty vision of Torah VeAvoda is intrinsic of Matan Torah, Rabbi Akiva and Lag BaOmer. Bnei Akiva celebrates 83 years since its inception, during the era of Reishit Tzmichat Geulateinu.
During the time of our youth, we are called upon to take responsibility for our actions and wellbeing of others ; furthermore we are expected to grow, by heeding the wisdom of our teachers and elders. One must not take reality for granted yet challenge the leaders of today, to ensure an enriched tomorrow.
We believe in Torah, we believe in Avoda, we know that they go together, we are guarantors for Am Israel, we are role models bridging between the Ideal and the Real as firm activists immersed in the society within which we live .Eretz Israel is the Promised Land and not a haven of despair.
As Children of Akiva , we are fortunate and responsible for ensuring that the chain will be strengthened link by link, chanich by chanich, madrich by madrich for all time, B"H.
It is this specific day of the calendar that we stop to celebrate, allowing us to invest time, thought and energy with the ideal of going forth better equipped as we focus on the needs and goals of tomorrow. B"h from the flames of Lag BaOmer we shall be worthy to shine as a beacon, with the spirit of our youth and holiness of our mission, for yet another year .