The students of Rabbi Akiva were all great Torah scholars, devoted to their mentor’s every word. In fact, they were so committed to disseminating Rabbi Akiva’s teachings that they felt that anyone who didn’t see eye-to-eye with them was not deserving of any respect or recognition. This was especially true when it came to Rabbi Akiva’s famous teaching of “‘Love your fellow as yourself’—this is the most important principle in all of Torah.” Anyone who didn’t follow their teacher’s words to the tee was shunned until they came around.
As well - intentioned this seemed, in practice it led to the exact opposite of what Rabbi Akiva’s primary teaching was meant to accomplish – respect and accept everyone, even someone who sees things very differently from you. And as a result, a plague decimated almost all of the 24,000 students who couldn’t see past their own understanding.
Every year during the period between Passover and Shavuot, we mourn their deaths, until the day of Lag BaOmer (which we celebrate this Sunday), when the plague receded and the surviving students were able to rebuild and re-engage with one another in accordance with the true meaning of Rabbi Akiva’s teachings.
Thus, Lag BaOmer today is celebrated as a day of Jewish unity, when we emphasize what brings us together – our Jewish soul. Jews around the world come together to celebrate the day with public displays of Jewish pride. There are parades, fairs, barbecues, all focused on bringing Jews together to counter all that plagues us today.
By proudly displaying our Jewish unity, we proclaim to the world that we are here to stay, that nothing will ever come between us and our fellow Jews. We are one!
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Saturday, May 25, 9:30 pm - YJP Lag B'omer BBQ - Join YJP Houston for an outdoor evening of Lag Ba'Omer. Experience the mystical insights of this unique not-so-famous Jewish Holiday! Mouthwatering Steaks, Fire pit and s’mores, Open Bar, Music $20 Prepay By Thursday, May 23 (use code: bash) $30 After / at the Door Gain Access: www.YJPHouston.org/bash
- Sunday, May 26, 11am-1pm - Lag B'Omer Celebration with Dovid Pearlman - Join us in Godwin Park for a Lag BaOmer Celebration with live music, infaltables, mini-parade, raffle & prizes! Produced by Chabad Outreach - More info and raffle: www.chabadoutreach.org/abc
- Friday, June 7, 7:30 pm - Shabbat Italiano - June First Fridays - Join Young Jewish Professionals for an Italian Shabbat Dinner at YJP Houston - where spirits run high! www.yjphouston.org/italy
- Tuesday-Thursday, June 11-13 - Shavuos www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
- Tues., June 11, 11:30 pm Shavuos All Night Learn-A-Thon - For over 3000 years Jews have been studying and expounding the wisdom of Torah. This Shavuot, add your voice to this unbroken narrative. Come present your Torah Ideas Worth Sharing.
- Wed. June 12, 11:15 am Shavuos Reading of Ten Commandments & Party followed by 1 pm dairy kiddush & ice cream party! Featuring a fabulous assortment of Ice Cream, cheesecakes, blintzes, pasta and salad.
- Thurs. June 13, 11:45 am approx. - Shavuos Yizkor Memorial Service
UPCOMING COURSES & POP-UP CLASS
- Tuesday, May 28, 12 pm - What Really Happened at Sinai - Monthly Lunch & Learn, this month in preparation for Shavuot. At the monthly Lunch & Learn the community has an opportunity to enjoy an upscale lunch with like minded friends for a spirited class and discussion! RSVP
- 3 Tuesdays, May 28-June 4, 7:30 pm - JLI: Decisions of Fate - Explore the guiding Jewish values that help inform choices on common medical questions. This course will equip students with the tools to chart a path through four areas of medical ethics: experimental treatments, extending life, pregnancy questions, and caring for a body. Gain an enriching perspective on how the Jewish ethical tradition helps us confidently navigate fateful decisions. Course Syllabus and Registration
- 2 Wednesdays, May 29, June 5 - CYP Academy: Beyond Rituals - It's not what you know, it's what you do - Reveal the soul of Jewish ritual life and how to make each mitzvah personal, and a way to connect to something beyond ourselves. www.yjphouston.org/beyond
ONGOING MAY WEEKLY TORAH CLASSES
- Wednesdays, 11 am - The Tanya - Study the basic book of Chabad philosophy and a classic in terms of applied “intellectual Kabalah”. Its stated aim is to show a path to realizing one's purpose and developing a deeper relationship with G‑d. Attain insights into yourself and the world around you with these fundamental teachings of Kabbalah, exploring and solving the dilemmas of the human soul.
- Thursdays, 8 pm - The Heart of the Prayer Book - In depth look at the prayer book, picking apart the prayer structure and meaning exploring the mechanics and mysticism that comprise Jewish prayer.
- Shabbos, 9 am - Chassidus - Likkutei Torah Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's (ob"m) Masterworks on the weekly Parsha of Chassidic Philosophy, Torah Or & Likkutei Torah. Every Shabbos morning at 9 am, besides for Shabbos Mevarchim.
To be added to a reminder broadcast list, including status of each class, please reply to this email to subscribe
The Chabad of Uptown community sends condolences to the Reitman family on the passing of Efraim ben Jerome, a"h, Fred Reitman, of blessed memory. The funeral was held yesterday in Chicago.
SHABBOS PARSHAS BEHAR
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 16 IYAR
Mincha & Kabbolas Shabbos 7:30 pm
Shabbos Candle Lighting 7:56 pm
Omer Count, At Night 32
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, MAY 25, 17 IYAR
Chassidus at 9 am
Shacharis 10:00 am
Shabbos Kiddush and Farbrengen
Mincha at 1:54 pm
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 4
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends 8:54 pm
Omer Count, At Night 33
Living Torah Video
LAG BOMER, SUNDAY, MAY 26, 18 IYAR
Shacharis 8:00 am
MON.-FRI., MAY 27-31, 19-23 IYAR
Shacharis 6:45 am
Good Shabbos!