Sefirat HaOmer 143 articles

Jewish Holidays

Composing Vessels
Composing Vessels
What is the difference between the Zohar, composed by R’ Shimon Bar Yochai while hiding in the cave, and the other sefarim on the Chumash written beforehand?
May 16, 2017
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
Sefira – The Crowns on the Letters
Sefira – The Crowns on the Letters
Why were R’ Akiva’s students punished specifically during the omer? What is the significance of Rabbi Akiva expounding on the crowns of the letters in the Torah?
May 12, 2017
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
The Students of Rabbi Akiva
The Students of Rabbi Akiva
Is it possible that all 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva’s students committed the exact same sin? Why do we mourn over these students if they didn’t even learn from their rebbe’s most...
May 11, 2017
By Rabbi Dr. Sholom Gold
Mesorah and Middos
Mesorah and Middos
Historically, the period between Pesach and Shavuos was meant to be a period of great joy and anticipation, for our redemption from Egypt was the precursor to the ultimate goal of...
Sep 9, 2016
By Shira Smiles
Erev Shavuos: Overcoming the Barrier to the Infinite
Erev Shavuos: Overcoming the Barrier to the Infinite
If the ways to acquire torah parallel sefirah, why only 48? As much progress as we make in sefirah, the jump to infinity (50) is infinite. How do we do it?...
Jun 6, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
Rosh Chodesh Sivan: Forever Fresh
Rosh Chodesh Sivan: Forever Fresh
What does it mean that Torah should be new to us each day? Why is it alluded to in the nation’s arrival in the Sinai Desert? What does desert represent?
Jun 6, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
Not a Negative Does Not a Positive Make
Not a Negative Does Not a Positive Make
There is a recurring trope in comedy movies in which a leader addresses a group, asking for volunteers to “step forward.”  Of course, no one steps forward.  However, everyone but an...
May 31, 2016
By Rabbi Eliyahu Safran
Lag B’Omer: From Honor to Name
Lag B’Omer: From Honor to Name
Kavod (honor) is from the outside. Shem (name) is from the inside, the essence of the item itself. We can’t know the true shem, only the kavod.  
May 26, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
Making the Connecting Knot
Making the Connecting Knot
Why was the decree against Rabbi Akiva’s students during Sefirah and not during the 3 weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av? What is the connection to Sefirah?
May 25, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
What is Kabbalah? What’s Special about the Zohar?
What is Kabbalah? What’s Special about the Zohar?
The 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who died weren’t the only talmidei chachamim at the time. Why is the emphasis on the fact that they were specifically Rabbi Akiva’s students?
May 25, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer

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