Tomorrow, May18-19, 2022, the annual holiday of Lag b’Omer will be celebrated in Israel. Lag b’Omer, which is neither directly nor indirectly referenced in the Bible, literally means the 33rd day of counting the omer. According to Jewish tradition, this minor festival commemorates an ancient mystical sage, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and…...
COUNTING THE OMER: Israel’s Independence Day and Memorial Day
Blessings of the season to you as we commemorate an often overlooked, minor festival on God’s biblical calendar, Counting the Omer. Counting the Omer (in Hebrew, “Sefirat HaOmer”) lasts 49 days, beginning with the Sabbath of Passover. The 50th day is celebrated as the Feast of Weeks (in Hebrew, “Shavuot.”) During…...
Holocaust Remembrance Day: Five Ways to Pray
“This I recall to mind; therefore, I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23) Today, April 28, is a sober day in Israel as the nation observes Holocaust Remembrance Day (“Yom…...
Global Antisemitism and What You Can Do About It
Amnesty International is an international NGO consisting of 10 million members from dozens of nations. Since 1964 it has had special consultative status at the UN. This has allowed it to shape crucial developments — and unprecedented redefinitions — in the area of human rights. Two weeks ago, it issued…...
