Lag BaOmer is Tonight & Tomorrow !

[OrMenorah Congregation]

Kehilat Or Menorah

Rabbi Doug Zelden, Rav

Dov Steinberg, Shul President
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Tonight & Tomorrow are 

Lag BaOmer!

Halacha Corner

Tachanun is omitted In Davening on Tuesday

Lag BaOmer 

and the day before at Mincha, on Monday. 

Ashkenazim permit hair cutting and shaving on the morning of Lag Ba'Omer (the 33rd day of the 'Omer) which begins tonight Monday Night) and runs through tomorrow (Tuesday). Beginning tonight live music & dancing are also allowed. Weddings are permitted as well. Some return to restrictions and do not get haircuts & shave again or attend concerts until the 3 days before Shavuot “Shloshet yeme hagbalah”, whereas others end all restrictions with Lag BaOmer. (Sefardim permit it from the morning of the 34th day of the Omer and every day thereafter.) According to the Ari, z"l, (Lubavitch Minhag) one should not cut one's hair until right before Shavuot unless for an “Upsherin”. 

We must be very cognizant, however, of the reason why we were not permitted to cut our hair during this time. One main reason is that the 23000 students and disciples of Rabbi Akiva died during this time Period. The reason they died, many say, is because there was a lack of love and respect between them. 

(Also we mourn the martyrs of the Crusades during this time)

One must learn a major lesson from this about the obligation of love and respect between the Jewish people. We must be particular, at all times, to ensure that we work on having love and respect with each other, especially at a time when it seems that each one is pulling in a different direction. Especially now we must lead by example.

Another reason given for the holiday is that it is the day of passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Modern Jewish tradition links the holiday to the Bar Kokhba Revolt against the Roman Empire (132-135 CE). In Israel, it is celebrated as a symbol for the fighting Jewish spirit.

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The members and friends of Or Menorah are also invited to this year’s community celebration: 

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