Counting the Omer: Day 33 — Stop and Smell the Roses

Davi Cheng

Today is Lag B’Omer – which is a shorthand way of saying “the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer.” It is a minor holiday not mentioned in the Torah. In some Jewish communities, today for one day, the mourning of the death of Rabbi Akiva and thousands of his students ceased, and everyone takes part in joyous celebrations such as lighting large bonfires, weddings, parades, and outdoor activities.

Maybe today is a mini rehearsal for the upcoming Shavuot; in another 17 days we’ll be celebrating the giving of the Torah by studying all night at BCC. Traditionally on Shavuot synagogues are adorned with greens and roses because the Torah is seen as the Tree of Life, and in the Songs of Songs, Israel is seen as a Rose.

Have you look at a rose lately? We don’t need big bonfires or weddings in order to celebrate, go out, stop and smell the roses, enjoy the fragrance, the colors of the roses and prepare your inner being to receive the Torah on Shavuot.