The principal association of Rashbi with the redemption is, “With this work of yours [the Zohar] … they shall go out of exile with mercy,” for then there shall indeed be the fulfillment of “When you come into the land, etc., and the land shall rest, a Sabbatical to G-d,” in the literal sense, in the true and complete redemption.
We are now in the midst of the period known as S’fira. It is based on the commandment in this week’s parsha to count 50 days from Passover until the Holiday of Shavuos, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
The Rebbe held a surprise farbrengen this Shabbos, and at the end of the farbrengen announced that the parade could take place without his being present. For us, this was like a bolt from the blue. There are those who claim that there might be another change, and we are all hoping for a surprise tomorrow. * An authentic first–hand account of the Lag B’Omer parade of 5733/1973, which the Rebbe did not attend due to an occurrence that was the opposite of Ahavas Yisroel. * A description of the parade, of the Rebbe’s farbrengen, the yechidus for women, and other points of the Rebbe’s conduct during the month of Iyar 5733. * From the personal diary of R’ Saadia Maatuf a”h – Part 2.
It was breathtaking to see how the Rebbe did not tire. He stood at the parade and showed a warm fatherly concern to all as though to his only child. When we passed by the Rebbe, my wife got excited and waved both hands at the Rebbe, as though blessing him with the priestly blessing. The Rebbe smiled broadly at her, stopped clapping and waved both his hands like she had done. * Mr. Aryeh Monson excitedly shares his impressions of the Lag B’Omer parade 5750.
I received a beautiful glass platter piled with gourmet chocolates as a Mishloach Manos gift from a dear student (with a note that she had toiveled it). Just before Pesach, my family polished off the last of the treats, and now I would like to use the platter for my Shabbos desserts. Does it count that it was toiveled before it was gifted to me, or must I re–toivel it?
We are currently in the special days of S’firas HaOmer, the counting of the Omer and are quickly approaching the holy Yom Tov of Lag B’Omer. We are not just counting the days that are passing; rather we are working to make every part of every day count.
Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Tzemach is his name. Rebbi Yudan son of Rebbi Aibu said: Menachem is his name. Said Chanina son of Rebbi Abahu: They do not argue, for the numerical value of each is the same – he is Tzemach; he is Menachem. * From Chapter Fifteen of Rabbi Shloma Majeski’s Likkutei Mekoros, Volume 2. (Underlined text is the compiler’s emphasis.)
Rabbi Shlomo Vishedsky a”h was born with a twin sister while their father, the mashpia R’ Moshe, was being interrogated by the KGB for his role in the smuggling of Chassidim out of Russia. * R’ Shlomo was born into a life of mesirus nefesh which accompanied him all his life. * R’ Shlomo was a man of chesed who did mivtzaim every day despite the burden of making a living. * Memories that he related to me, along with stories that the family told during the Shiva.
A year after Ami and Avital Baram married, Ami began taking an interest in Judaism. Avital found herself dealing with a new Boss in the house – Hashem Himself! * Avital shares her journey with us, until founding the organizations, “Hitkashrut Zugit,” and “Hitkashrut Chavaya Yehudit,” as per the teachings of the Rebbe, for the broader public.
May 9, 2017