There is
something special about Limmud. All
shades and stripes of the community are welcome to attend to teach, learn and
volunteer. There is an opportunity for
different segments of the community to interact in a safe, open, free and
welcoming space.
At least that
is how I experience Limmud.
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| Tommy (right) discussing an idea at Limmud-Oz |
The period
between Pesach and Shavuot is known as The Omer. Omer is Hebrew for "the sheaf of
waving". The Omer was an
agricultural offering brought in temple times in Jerusalem.
It is written
in the Bible (Leviticus 23:15) 'And you shall count for yourselves from the day
after the day of rest, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the waving
(Omer); seven weeks shall there be complete'. The Rabbis
understood this text to require each adult male to count the seven weeks each
night from 1 to 49, with the 50th night being Shavuot.
Even though we
no longer have the temple and no longer bring the Omer offering, there remains a
Rabbinic commandment to count each night.
This particular
period is tinged with sadness – legend has it that Rabbi Akiva lost many
students to a plague during the Omer period.
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| Limmud is a chance to ask questions |
The Talmud
states - "Rabbi Akiva had 12,000 pairs of students (ie 24,000 students) and
all of them died in one period of time because they did not treat each other
with respect. … It is taught that they all died between Passover and Shavuot,
and that they all suffered bitter deaths" (Yevamot 62b).
The days of the
Omer are observed as days of semi-mourning, a period wherein we attempt to
improve relations with others. The Kabbalists
instituted a calendar linking the 7 weeks to 7 personality traits and
characteristics that we should all work on to improve – a new one for each day.
Last Shabbat I
heard a novel explanation for the reason behind the deaths of Rabbi Akiva’s
students which I would like to share with you and hopefully link back to the
topic on what is unique about Limmud.
The plague which took the lives of Rabbi Akiva’s students coincided with the Bar Kochba uprising that took place between 132-135 of the Common Era. Some of Rabbi Akiva’s students joined the national rebellion against Roman occupation whist the others continued in their studies. The two groups disrespected one another. Each claimed to be more important than the other in supporting the national struggle. Because of the animosity between the soldiers and students, all of them were stuck down by the Romans.
The plague which took the lives of Rabbi Akiva’s students coincided with the Bar Kochba uprising that took place between 132-135 of the Common Era. Some of Rabbi Akiva’s students joined the national rebellion against Roman occupation whist the others continued in their studies. The two groups disrespected one another. Each claimed to be more important than the other in supporting the national struggle. Because of the animosity between the soldiers and students, all of them were stuck down by the Romans.
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| ... we do not always agree, but we learn from each other |
This
explanation sits well with the language of the Talmud which describes the
24,000 students as 12,000 pairs – perhaps each learning partner (chevrutah)
split with his mate – one joining Bar Kochba's army and the other remaining in
yeshiva.
The disunity
between former learning partners led to their own demise.
We also note that
the Talmud places the deaths as occurring between Pesach and Shavuot. Pesach represents the Jewish People's national
aspirations, whereas Shavuot is the anniversary of the giving of the Torah. By
not respecting each other the students of Rabbi Akiva in effect drove a wedge
between Pesach and Shavuot, between nationalism and Torah, and therefore they
all died during this period.
What is the antidote for this divisiveness? LIMMUD. A place where all segments of the community, with opposing views, have a safe space, to come together to discuss, explore and respectfully learn from one another.
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| ... and hear different viewpoints. |
It is not
important for us all to agree. In fact,
we would have nothing to learn from each other if we all thought the same
way. What is important is that we can
learn one from the other.
I am looking
forward to another wonderful Limmud and hope to learn something new from you
and share something new with you!
See you all soon at Yom Limmud 2014 - Sunday 15 June from 9:30am - 6:45pm.
See you all soon at Yom Limmud 2014 - Sunday 15 June from 9:30am - 6:45pm.
Click here to book; for more information on the full program visit the Limmud website www.limmud-oz.com.au.
- Limmud is a not-for-profit all volunteer based event supported by The Shalom Institute - see how you too can countribute!
- Parents! Yom Limmud is offering fully supervised activities for preschool aged kids 3-5 and primary aged kids 5-12.
See you there!
- Limmud is a not-for-profit all volunteer based event supported by The Shalom Institute - see how you too can countribute!
- Parents! Yom Limmud is offering fully supervised activities for preschool aged kids 3-5 and primary aged kids 5-12.
See you there!
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