For me....this Lag B'Omer was quite different from the last several years.
Two years ago....and again last year......Lisa, Adam, Danielle and I were privileged to share our home with almost 1000 Yidden from every part of the Jewish kaleidoscope.
This year Hashem wanted something quite a bit different for my family and me.
The only bonfire Hashem wanted from us this year was the fire within our neshamas and the burning for Hashem within our hearts.
Pure....genuine....real.....burning....oh yes a bonfire.....but just our hearts.
So it was that the basic ingredients were the same this year......but all a bit different.
Erev Shabbos my sweet "Brothers of Pey Dalid" and I sang to bring in Shabbos with tears and tefillah like never before!!!!!
Soon after "The Brothers" left Adam and Danielle arrived and we lit our Shabbos candles.
This year ... Adam, Lisa, Danielle and I shared the sanctity of the warmest and most intimate of Shabbatot.
It is held that the 33rd day of the Omer is Humility in Humility. Rabbi Simon Jacobson suggests that our humility must be examined for its genuineness.
Rabbi Jacobson inquires further....Is my humility humble? Or is it yet another expression of arrogance? Do I take too much pride in my humility? Do I flaunt it? Is it self serving? Is my humility part of a crusade or is it genuine?
These questions pierce the heart....they are the deepest of the deep.....
So this year Hashem needed to reduce my family and me to our very essence.....
In our single room here we radiated so much achdus, unity and love for one another and for Hashem.
It has become so clear to me that this year...this was the perfect Shabbos/Lag B'Omer for my family and me.
And with that I wish you all a Shavua Tov
B'Simcha
michael
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Michael,our peaceful warrior, celebrating Lag B'Omer and Shabbat....
ReplyDeleteYou are a beacon to us all. We wish you, Lisa, the kids and all your family a Shavua Tov!
all our love,
jon and louise
Michael, for the past two weeks there was much talk and sadness that the ritual Lag Baomer celebration at your home would not be this year. For the past two years, our family was a part of the "1,000 Yidden" that enjoyed the generosity of your family.....and what struck us most, as surely we've shared with you in the past, is your ability on this very special day to bring together all Jews in our area, no matter how affiliated.....Jews are Jews and it was a tremendously beautiful sight to behold, as it got dark and the "brothers" began to play and the bonfire was lit, that we were all there for the same purpose: to celebrate and unite as ONE. Thank you so much for that and know that those memories are always with us......G-d willing, next year, we will ALL once again celebrate on your lawn, and invade your home, rain or shine! And, if not there, then the next best place: in Yerushalayim, all together!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have not been "reduced" to your very essence....you and your famiy LIVE your essence every day, through every wonderful thing you do.
All our love,
Debbi and Marc
Just as you, Lisa, Danielle and Adam spent an introspective and yet "burning" Lag B'Omer, so too were many of us, your friends, noticing the lack of our usual Penn Valley venue, and had to turn inward...humility of humility. You touch us all, even while you are in NY! Gevaldig!!
ReplyDeleteJanis
What can I say? In California it is 7:20 and for you the day is well into its glory. Our Lag B'Omers were quite unreal - you there and me on planes and then taking depositions. We had to adapt, both of us, to different contexts and it is clear, my dear Michael, that you and your family captured the essence of Lag B'Omer. We all felt the vacuum of not reuniting at the Wachs event where the scotch, food, music and love flow wondrously, but you tapped into the burning fire that Shimon bar Yochai gained in that dark cave for so many years, eating nothing but carob. In that small dark space, Hashem lit up his world and ultimately our own with the fire of the Zohar, the mystical teachings of the Torah that could not have been received in the lesser and distracting glow of the physical world. He emerged transformed and glowing as Moshe was when he descended from Sinai after his 40 days with Hashem. Humility in Humility - it is a good lesson that could, perhaps, only be examined and learned honestly in the small apartment with family and the holy books around you! You are seizing what on the surface is the darkness of physical reality and tapping into the light that Hashem is bringing to make that already burning soul that is always Michael into a massive fire of emunah, bitachon, achava . . . I can tell you that more than the deprivation of not being at annual Lag B'Omer at the Wachs' was the deprivation of not reading your inspiring words until now! Thank you, my dear friend, and have I told you recently that I love you? Naph
ReplyDeleteHi Michael:
ReplyDeleteYour powerful words today are reminding me of how important it is to focus on and appreciate 100% the things that we DO have in our lives, and not stress and focus on what we perceive is lacking. Focusing on the positive and being grateful attracts more of the same.
Once again, despite your own distress you reach out to touch and teach others. How beautiful, and how very much appreciated.
Love,
Roz Lipsitt with brachos of refuah shlema from "Shkevin" & A.T.
You are so amazing and positive..I know this is a very difficult time for you, Lisa, Adam, Danielle and your entire wonderful family..My thoughts and prayers are with you..love to Lisa Adam, and Danielle..i only wish we were closer so that I could hug all of you XXXOO
ReplyDeleteIris
Dear Michael and Lisa
ReplyDeleteI was so sorry i missed you in the hospital to say goodbye. I will be back in Sloan to visit my dad after shavuot. Your words are an inspiration for my entire family. May you continue to get well and be a source of strength to all.We look forward to welcoming you all in our home in Jerusalem. with my warmest wishes for a complete recovery.
Tova
Dear Michael, Lisa, Danielle, Adam,
ReplyDeleteWe too were a family who celebrated Lag B'Omer with you. On this Lag B'Omer we were with you too - in our hearts, prayers, and love. There is not much to say except that we miss you all being with us.
to an amazing family,
Gail, Marty, Ruchie
Wishes from Joshua Perlmuter:
ReplyDeleteDear Michael and most dearest Lisa, Adam and Danielle,
This is my fourth message to you since Our dear Michael got ill.
Probably even before the Community and friends knew about your illness, a Malach told me to do a misheberach, Michael ben Yehudith. He needs an extra help from the Ribono shel Olam.
And then this friend, Joshua, that never gave up on you, Michael, is now screaming in a Kol Demama Daka so strong that perforates the heaven walls and malachim yechafezun Angels hasten as they say:
Behold !!! We all do not give up on you !!! We will never stop.
We want you to know that prayers are being said every morning.
At the kever of the great Tzadik, Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai I prayed for your speedy recovery. The segulah for a refuah Shleima.
We love you all
Joshua Perlmuter