7th Grade Class Update

May 1, 2017

Dear Parents,

This Sunday we learned about the time period we are currently experiencing-- the Omer. We learned that the Omer leads from the second night of Passover up to the holiday of Shavuoth. We learned the details, basis, and method of counting the 49 days of the Omer and why we do it.

Then we learned about Rabbis Akiva and Shimon Bar Yochai and why this Omer time period is a time of modified communal morning, and what that means. We discussed how and why we mourn the loss of potential Torah knowledge and insights with the passing of Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students prior to Lag Ba'Omer (when the epidemic stopped). We also learned about the importance of respecting one another and learning from every person with whom we interact.

Then we learned about the significance of Lag Ba'Omer (the 33rd day of the Omer) and how it is celebrated in Israel and throughout the world. We learned that children in Irsael set bon fires on Lab Ba'Omer. These fires commemorate the light Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai shed on hidden Torah knowledge when he revealed the Zohar (Kabbalah) on his deathbed, on Lag Ba'Omer.

After focusing on the Omer we learned about this week's Israeli National holidays of Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut--Israel's Memorial Day and Israel's Independence Days. We discovered how they are commemorated/celebrated in Israel. We also spoke about the fact that all citizens must serve in the military in Israel and the impact that has on Israeli society.  

We also took some time to begin writing our essays for the Weisberg Writing Award competition. Please make sure they are finished and submitted before the deadline.

I hope you had a meaningful Yom Hazikaron and a celebratory Yom Haatzmaut! Don't forget to count the Omer until Shavuot!

Best,

Morah Hollenberg