Memorial Day and Lag b ‘Omer
Two holidays, Memorial Day and Lag b ’Omer, are approaching this weekend. While you may be more familiar with one, it's interesting to note that our National Day of Remembrance and Lag b ‘Omer share significant commonalities.
On the Jewish calendar, the period between Pesach and Shavuot is called the Omer. We count each night between the two holidays for a total of forty-nine days. The Torah's explanation for these days is sparse, but rabbinic literature provides some context. The forty-nine days are solemn. In some Jewish communities, marriages aren’t held during this time, music is not played in public, and no one gets a haircut. However, the 33rd day of the Omer is a break in the dour mood.
According to rabbinic lore, a plague had killed thousands of Rabbi Akiva’s students during the Omer; however, on the 33rd day—Lamed-Gimel “Lag” in Hebrew letters—no one died. Subsequent rabbinic generations made the 33rd day of the Omer a day of celebration in remembrance of this reprieve.
Today, Jewish communities around the world gather on Lag b ‘Omer for concerts, weddings, and mass haircuts—I’m not kidding.
Memorial Day weekend also shares a similar kind of solemnity and joy. Without the brave sacrifice of more than 1.3 million men and women in the armed forces, we would not have a country to enjoy. Our freedom comes at a high cost, one that can never be fully paid back.
I hope that everyone in our community will mark Lag b ‘Omer and Memorial Day by acknowledging that our celebrations on these days came at the expense of many others.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Max
