I had the zchus of spending a few years by Rabi Shimon for this special day and I became attached. The infectious joy of the hundreds of thousands singing and dancing engulfed me.
Lag Ba’omer had become a highlight of my year. Only 2 short years have passed since the horrific events in Meron and they have left a deep mark on my soul.
Last year I was not even able to go to any bonfires because the pain was too great. This year I convinced myself to go and try to recapture the happiness I had felt about this day.
However, as I got close to the fire and the dancing, I froze in place. A wave of emotion overcame me and I couldn’t join.
As I was about to leave, you turned to me and offered your hand and your smile. I had never met you before and you did not know me. You pulled me in and danced and sang with me. In that moment, you gave me back Lag Ba’omer. The pain is still there, but the realization that as a nation we can help uplift each other made me understand that the celebration must go on. Just as Rabi Shimon continued on after losing 24,000 of his talmidim, we march (and dance) on. Together.
Thank you
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Reb akiva lost the 24000 talmidim fyi not Reb shimon. Beautiful story otherwise…
Im gonna guess you were not the person who took his hand & danced with him
Moved me to tears. Thanks for sharing. We never know the impact we can have on others.
Dvarim hayotzim min halev nichnasim el halev.
This is the flip side of the pain that you felt. When we recognize that we are one body, we intrinsically feel what our fellow Yid feels.
May we soon experience the Ultimate joy with the Complete Geulah Bkarov