Friday, May 27, 2016 / 20 Iyar 5776 Light Shabbat candles at 7:12 p.m.
RABBI SHARFMAN'S
WEEKLY MESSAGE
and CANDLE LIGHTING REMINDER
Behar, meaning "on the mount" (Mt. Sinai) is this week's parasha from which we learn about certain laws that will take effect in the Land of Israel once our ancestors return there at the conclusion of our journey through the desert. The inscription on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was taken from
Parashat Behar: "Proclaim release/liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." It refers to the commands regarding sabbatical (every 7th) and Jubilee (every 50th) year - release from debt, oppression and exploitation of land and of people!
A
kavannah for candle lighting on
Shabbat Behar
May my candle lighting this week inspire me to do one act on behalf of God's children who are oppressed and exploited so that they, too, can partake of the freedom that is the right of all. May I become more attuned to their suffering as well as to the limitations I have placed on myself. Please, God, let me experience Shabbat rest and renewal of body, mind and spirit so that I may be re-JEW-venated and be in service to You and Your Creation.
An additional note: Today (Thursday, the day you're receiving this message) is a minor Jewish holiday known as Lag B'Omer -- literally, the 33rd day in the counting of the Omer, a countdown from the second seder until we reach the beautiful festival of Shavuot seven weeks later. When the Temple was standing in Jerusalem, an omer (a measure) of barley was cut and brought there as an offering. The counting was to help us remember the important connection between Passover (remembering the Exodus from Egypt) and Shavuot (celebrating our receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai).
In addition to the counting (still done today with a blessing before the count each night), some have developed it into a deeply meaningful spiritual practice. There's a funny but real Simpsons version of the Omer count: The Homer Calendar.
