Dear Doves,

      Before the great Second Temple at Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus and the Romans in 70 AD,  the period of the Counting of the Omer was one of joy, real rejoicing.  Sheaves of barley, called omers, were brought to the Temple each day as sacrifices.  Passover was like the betrothal and Shavuot (Pentecost)  the wedding day, with the honoring of the long before events at Mt. Sinai, the wedding of YHVH and the House of Israel people of the 12 tribes.  But after the destruction of the great Second Temple, much changed.  The sephira, the 7 weeks of the counting of the Omer, became a period of semi-mourning.  Restrictions  were strictly for 7 weeks. WEDDINGS were PROHIBITED. No weddings, or music, or banquets, no haircuts, or singing were allowed.  Some reasons for these changes are described in the article at http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=879&print=1 . 

      This year from sunset Iyar 17 to 18 on  5-9 to 10, the mourning practices are suspended on Lag B' Omer.  This will be day 33 of the Counting of the Omer until day 50 of Shavuot (Pentecost) of 5-26 to 27.  Many weddings for Jews will occur on day 33 in Israel and elsewhere, beginning at sunset on Iyar 17.  Lag B' Omer also will be a day for picnics, outings, bonfires, parades, singing and dancing, music, children's games like bows and arrows.  It is THE DAY which is the ONE JOYOUS of the 49. It is THE WEDDING DAY.  If The Blessed Hope, The Messiah's Wedding Day following the Ancient Jewish Wedding Model, will occur during the month of Iyar in 2012, might Iyar 18 be THE DAY?  It is the only day of 49, for mourning, for prohibitions, to be ended and transformed into joyous activities.  Symbolically, day 33 Omer Count, will not apply to Ascension Day, on Iyar 25, on 5-17.  Will the kosher Jewish rabbi follow Jewish traditions and arrive on Lag B' Omer to spirit away His bride?  We shall see. He will come on a day few expect His arrival.  How many people know anything about Lag B' Omer?  Very few.  Fasting before the wedding and mourning transformed  into ineffable  joy with wedding, feasting, and wine?  Remember The Master's warnings about drunkenness, the cares of life, not watching, and sleepiness in 3 of the 4 Gospels?  We shall know soon.  Behold the bridegroom cometh.  Come quickly, Lord...

 

With Love and Shalom,

Jean