Lag Ba'Omer

There was a very kind boy named Akiva who took care of sheep all day and night and because of that, he couldn't go to school. When Akiva grew older, he married Rochel: a wonderful and smart girl. Rochel told Akiva to go to school and learn Torah, but Akiva said, "I'm 40 years old and I don't even know the Alef Beis!" Rochel encouraged Akiva and told him that he could do it! 


And so Akivah went to school. He first started out with the youngest children who were beginning to learn Alef Beis. Then he moved onto higher grades with students who could already read and with them he learned how to daven, read the Torah and heard the lessons of the parsha. Learning wasn't always easy for him to do and understand, but he tried and tried and never gave up until he knew it well. Finally, after 12 years Akiva no longer needed a teacher as he was finally able to learn on his own. He soon became known as Rabbi Akiva and began teaching others. 

Song:

Many years ago, a small shepherd boy, watched the sheep all day.

Akiva didn’t even learn the Alef Bais, which all of us can say.

Rachel his smart wife, gave him good advice and this is what she said,

“It’s never too late to start learning Torah, if you use your head.”

Reb Akiva learned all day and night, a Talmud Chochom he became.

He had many Talmidim who all learned Torah and we should do the same.

By now, Rabbi Akiva had 24,000 students. Each student wanted everyone to think that only their opinion was correct and thus began arguments with one another. Hashem was so sad to watch how his children were behaving and one by one the students began to get sick.


On Lag Ba' Omer the students stopped getting sick because they realized why Hashem was making this happen to them. They understood that even though they each had their own opinion they still needed to get along with each other and be kind. 

 

Rabbi Akiva had 5 students who did not become sick. One of them was Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who lived during the times of the Roman Empire. At the time, the Romans weren't happy to see Jewish people learning Torah. If they would find someone learning Torah, they would punish them.


Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai found out that the Romans knew he was learning Torah and that it wouldnt be safe for him if he stayed at home. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his son Rabbi Elazar went to live in a cave until the danger passed. They were there for thirteen years and learned Torah. What did they eat and drink all this time? Hashem created a spring of water for them to drink from and a carob tree from which they ate.


The friends were discussing the possibilities of the outcome if they left the cave to get water and carobs: 


Naomi asked how could they leave the cave to get water and carobs from the tree? Wouldn't the Romans see them?
Sophie answered, "Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his son could put brown blankets around them so they can be camouflaged and get water and food from the tree."





On Lag Ba'Omer we sometimes have a parade with friends and people of all ages to show unity. It shows that it doesn't matter what shape or size we are, talents we may have, or opinions we may hold, because we are all part of the Jewish nation.


We also dance around a big bonfire and haves games and fun in the park.

Parade parading altogether hand in hand

                                                                           

Races