The morning will be devoted to study and discussion with Debbie Goodman, and will include a Prayer for Healing and Mourner's Kaddish. Kiddush and Motzi will follow the service, along with shared memories from those observing a yahrzeit. 

          
                                                                                               Rabbi Akiva’s tomb in Tiberias
Please join us for study and discussion related to the holiday of Lag B’Omer, which will be observed on the Thursday before this Shabbat.  Lag B’Omer is not your typical Jewish holiday.  We will discuss some of the features of Lag B’Omer, but the focus will be on two of the most important Rabbinic sages in the history of Jewish leadership and scholarship, and who are prominently featured in stories about Lag B’Omer.  The first is Rabbi Akiva, who is referred to in the Talmud as Rosh la-Chachamim, Chief or Leader of the Sages.

This description of Rabbi Akiva by the sages of the Talmud illustrates the monumental role that Rabbi Akiva played in the formation of Rabbinic Judaism in the period after the destruction of the 2nd Temple by the Romans in the First Century CE.  

The second rabbinic sage we will discuss is Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, who was one of the most illustrious and distinguished disciples of Rabbi Akiva.  Jewish tradition identifies Shimon bar Yochai as the author of the Zohar, the major work of Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition. Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai is revered by Jews who are identified with the mystical tradition in Judaism, including many in the Hasidic community.

The stories written about these two sages, and texts that include their teachings, help to give us some insight into this critical period in Jewish history when transformational changes occurred in the Jewish community that promoted Jewish survival in the wake of devastation.  In addition we will have a chance to learn something about the lives of two of our most inspiring leaders and teachers whose extraordinary contributions to Jewish life and tradition continue to inform the Jewish experience in ou

The service includes a Prayer for Healing and Mourner's Kaddish. A Kiddush and Motzi will follow the service, along with shared memories from folks observing a yahrzeit. 

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/500159377?pwd=OEVVbEt1bnFLWmU2UlF3elg0NGovdz09
     Meeting ID: 500 159 377
     Passcode: N58wJq
   Dial in on your phone:
        669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799 
        Meeting ID: 500 159 377
        Passcode: 640527