LAG B’OMER (Day 33: Omer Count)

Usually, Messianic Jews and Orthodox Jews are united in celebrating Israel’s religious holidays, as both groups affirm God’s appointed times. But Lag Ba’Omer, which was marked on Wednesday night and throughout Thursday, is a dividing line between those who walk in the light, and those who walk in darkness here in the Promised Land.

The official website of the Chabad Hassidim describes Lag Ba’Omer thus:

“Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the Omer count—this year, May 23, 2019—is a festive day on the Jewish calendar. It is celebrated with outings (on which children traditionally play with bows and arrows), bonfires, parades and other joyous events. Many visit the resting place (in Meron, northern Israel) of the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the anniversary of whose passing is on this day.

“…Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who lived in the second century of the Common Era, was the first to publicly teach the mystical dimension of the Torah known as the Kabbalah, and is the author of the classic text of Kabbalah, the Zohar. On the day of his passing, Rabbi Shimon instructed his disciples to mark the date as ‘the day of my joy.'”

The traditions of Lag Ba’Omer, and all that relates to the celebration and pilgrimage to the tombs of the righteous, contradict not only the Bible, but also the Jewish traditions, the Talmud, and even the rulings of today’s rabbis.

Rabbi Pachter wrote in an article for the Ynet news portal: “How did the day of the death of a tzaddik, of which it is said, ‘the death of the righteous is as difficult as the destruction of the Temple,’ how did this become a day of joy and celebration?  How does the tomb, the most impure place under Jewish law, become a place of holiness, and how does the prohibition to consult with the dead not bother the masses of the House of Israel [when they see crowds] praying to the dead tzaddikiminstead of to God?”

Making things more controversial this time around, Rabbi Eliezer Berland, who was convicted of serious sexual offenses, lit a bonfire during the evening Lag Ba’Omer ceremony on Mount Meron, where Bar Yochai is buried, despite protests from the religious public ahead of the anticipated event.

Hundreds of paramedics were dispatched to Mount Meron, where 231 people had to be treated for burns, dehydration and smoke inhalation. Twenty-six people were evacuated to Ziv Hospital in nearby Safed. Many more injuries were suffered at Lag Ba’Omer celebrations throughout the country.

Said customs have a great deal of interest not only among the religious community, but also among the traditional community (the mesoratiim). Pilgrimage to tombs and reverence of the dead that often crosses the line into worship is, in fact, very common in Israel, and isn’t limited to Lag Ba’Omer.

But these days, as troubling as they are, can serve as opportunities for evangelism, as believers in Yeshua can point Jews away from the light of the bonfire, and toward the light of Christ and biblical truth.

http://www.israeltoday.co.il/Default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=36689

It is said that this day is partly about celebrating the production of the Talmud. The Talmud is not a book I read or encourage anyone to read as it blasphemes against YAHUSHUA HA  MASHIACH (a.k.a JESUS CHRIST,  YESHUA) however I have learned from Amightywind Ministry and other sources that there is some very useful information that can be obtained from it. This information throws light concerning what happened in Biblical History, for example concerning YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH and other various Biblical characters, such as Eliezar who was Abraham’s Head Servant. The Talmud reveals that Rivka(h)/Rebekah/Rebecca’s father tried to poison Eliezer after he had asked for Rebecca’s hand in marriage on behalf of Yitzchak/Isaac (and Avraham/Abraham). Eliezar prayed before eating and in the process the poison spiritually transferred from his plate to that of Rebecca’s father’s plate of food. Rebecca lost her father because he was standing in the way of YAH’S WILL. Laban too did some evil to Eliezar but YAH spared him as Rivka’s future son, Jacob who was later renamed Israel would need his help in the future.

That’s just one example. There are many others. Please note that I am not asking you and neither am I advising nor encouraging you to read and/or study the Talmud! I strictly advise against spending time reading and studying the Talmud.

There is a brother and sister in our Ministry who decided to start reading the Talmud last year (2018). Sadly, it affected them negatively. This was the sister’s comment on their experience of reading the Talmud:

Day 33 of the Omer, 18th day of the Hebrew Month Iyar

DAILY PRAYER FOR THE COUNTING OF THE OMER:

Each day, one says the blessing:Blessed are You, YAHUVEH our ELOHIM, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is the 33rd day, which is 4 weeks, and 5 days of the Omer. YAH the Merciful One, may He return to us the service of the Temple to its place, speedily in our days. Amen, Selah! IN YAHUSHUA’S NAME 

Day 33 Omer Reading:

Week 5 /Attribute 5 – Humility/Devotion (Hod)

We have completed 4 weeks counting to Shavuot

Sitting At The Feet Of Our Master YAHUSHUA

Devoted To Prayer

Mat 6:5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites, who love to pray standing in the synagogues and on street corners, so that people can see them. Yes! I tell you, they have their reward already!Mat 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.Mat 6:7 “And when you pray, don’t babble on and on like the pagans, who think God will hear them better if they talk a lot.Mat 6:8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him.Mat 6:9 You, therefore, pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven! May your Name be kept holy. Mat 6:10 May your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.Mat 6:11 Give us the food we need today.Mat 6:12 Forgive us what we have done wrong, as we too have forgiven those who have wronged us.Mat 6:13 And do not lead us into hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One. [The latter half of verse 13 is not found in the oldest manuscripts.] For kingship, power and glory are yours forever. Amen.’Shemonah Esreh or Amidah – The Shmoneh Esreh is a beautifully simple prayer. Almost every phrase has it’s source in the Bible. Each blessing is a very ingenious collection of Biblical words and phrases pieced together to form a new composition that reflects a broad spectrum of personal needs, communal needs, and Jewish convictions.The Shmoney Esreh is said while facing in the direction of in Eretz Israel. Worshipers in Eretz Israel face towards Jerusalem. Worshipers in Jerusalem face the Temple Mount, where the Temple (Beit HaMikdash) once stood. The Holy Ark in every synagogue is generally located so that when one faces the Ark, one is also standing in the proper direction…The Shmoneh Esreh should be said quietly to oneself, based on the example set by Hannah, whose praying lips moved, but her voice could not be heard” (I Sam 1;13). That is why the Shmoneh Esreh is sometimes referred to as the “Silent Prayer”.

Inasmuch as we also relate to God as the King of Kings, the Sovereign of the universe, no less courtesy should be shown to Him than to mortal kings. The convention that prevailed in high courts when approaching a king thus became the basis for several customs during worship: for example, three small steps forward are taken before beginning the Shmoneh Esreh.[This prayer is said three times per day, where each prayer service is in remembrance of the temple sacrifices which cannot take place without the temple. In the morning and afternoon service, is said once individually, and once corporately.] The public repetition was instituted for the benefit of those who were not able to recite it properly. By listening attentively and answering “Amen” at the end of each blessing, such worshipers are considered to have fulfilled their prayer obligation.YAHUSHUA would have prayed this beautiful prayer that covers every area that you can think of to pray about. The “Our Father’ is thought to be a shortened version that YAHUSHUA gave of the Shemonah Esreh or Amidah.This prayer covers the following areas….1 Worship2 Repentance3 Requests regarding – Healing, Blessings, Deliverance, Restoration, Prosperity4 Provision5 Protection6 ThanksgivingLook Here For More About Hebrew PrayerYAHUSHUA Our Messiah is Devoted To Prayer- He is Daily Standing In The Holy Of Holies Interceeding For us, as our High Priest/Cohen HaGadol should we do any less for others?TEFILLAH-PRAYER-JUST DO IT

 Read Psalm 119: 89-96

Psa 119:89(Lamed) Your word continues forever, Adonai, firmly fixed in heaven.

 

SOURCE:

• http://amightywind.com/omer/day33.html

Many Jewish people in the United Kingdom observe Lag B’Omer, also known as Lag BaOmer, on the 18th day of the month of Iyar in the Jewish calendar. The name of this observance means refers to the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer.

What Do People Do?

Lag B’Omer is generally a day of celebration and joy for many Jewish people in the United Kingdom. This is because the mourning practices that occur during the Omer period are lifted on this date. It is also a day for many Jewish people to remember and celebrate their heritage.

Popular Lag B’Omer events include a barbecue at a park where people can socialize, eat food, and enjoy the fresh air. Entertainment at these events may include model car races or art activities for children. Children’s parades and fairs may also be held on this day.

Public Life

Lag B’Omer is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom so many Lag B’Omer events are held after school or work hours (if not during the weekend), usually in the afternoon or early evening. Government offices, organizations, public transit services, and educational institutions operate to their usual schedules.

Background

The name of this Jewish observance refers to the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer. An “omer” refers to a sheaf of barley or wheat. In the book of Leviticus, it is written that God commanded people to make an offering of a sheaf of barley on each of the 50 days between Passover and Shavuot. The day number was announced after the evening service, and in time this ceremony came to be known as the “counting of the Omer”.

The reason why the 33rd day of this period was singled out may have something to do with an ancient pagan festival that was celebrated at the same time. Another story claims that a plague attacked Rabbi Akiba’s students in the second century CE suddenly stopped on this day. Many Jewish people also mark this date by remembering the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who was one of Rabbi Akiva’s students. In any case, this observance represents a break in the season between Passover and Shavuot.

About Lag B’Omer in other countries

Read more about Lag B’Omer.

Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the Omer count—this year, May 3, 2018—is a festive day on the Jewish calendar. It is celebrated with outings (on which children traditionally play with bows and arrows), bonfires, parades and other joyous events. Many visit the resting place (in Meron, northern Israel) of the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the anniversary of whose passing is on this day.

What It Means

Lag BaOmer is always on the 18th day of the month of Iyar. So what’s up with the name? The word “Lag” is made of of the Hebrew letters lamed (ל) and gimel (ג), which together have the numerical value of 33. “BaOmer” means “of the Omer.” The Omer is the counting period that begins on the second day of Passover and culminates with the holiday of Shavuot, following day 49.

Hence Lag BaOmer is the 33rd day of the Omer count, which coincides with 18 Iyar. What happened on 18 Iyar that’s worth celebrating?