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Bows and Arrows of Love##

by Rabbi Moishe Kievman Chabad Chayil

Lag BaOmer is a festive day on the Jewish calendar, celebrating the anniversary of the passing of the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Also known as the Rashbi (an acronym for his name), he was the author of the Zohar, a foundational work of the Kabbalah, who requested that the day of his passing be celebrated, and not mourned.

It also commemorates another event. In the weeks between Passover and Shavuot, a plague raged amongst the disciples of the great sage Rabbi Akiva and on Lag BaOmer the dying ceased. The Talmud tells us that the plague affected the students of Rabbi Akiva “because they did not act respectfully towards each other.” Thus, Lag BaOmer carries the theme of the imperative to love and respect one’s fellow (ahavat yisrael). Lag BaOmer teaches us that while working to help improve our fellow man, we must never allow these efforts to compromise our love and respect for him.

It is traditional to light bonfires on Lag BaOmer eve, commemorating the immense light that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai introduced into the world via his mystical teachings.

Children customarily go out into the fields and play with imitation bows and arrows. This commemorates the midrashic tradition that no rainbow was seen during Rabbi Shimon’s lifetime.

Rainbows first appeared after Noah’s flood, when G‑d promised to never again devastate the world. When the world is deserving of punishment, G‑d sends a rainbow instead. Rabbi Shimon’s merit protected the world, rendering the rainbow superfluous.

But there’s a much deeper meaning behind the bow and arrow game, with a lesson not just for Lag BaOmer, but something we can apply every day of the year.

The first weapons devised by man were designed for hand-to-hand combat. But a person's enemy or prey is not always an arm's-length away, or even within sight. Soon the warrior and hunter felt the need for a weapon that could reach a target a great distance away, or which lies invisible and protected behind barriers of every sort.

With a bow and arrow, the tension in an arched bough of wood is exploited to propel a missile for great distances and slash through barriers. The inventor of this device first had to grasp the paradox that the deadly arrow must be pulled back toward one's own heart in order to strike the heart of the opponent, and that the more it is drawn toward oneself, the more distant an adversary it can reach.

Chassidut teaches us that the same rules that apply to tools of destruction, apply to tools of construction - the tools we use to help build each other. And this is the deeper theme and lesson of Lag BaOmer: In order to reach a friend or relative who is otherwise unreachable, we have to first dig deep within our own heart. The deeper place from within our heart this love comes from, the deeper it will penetrate in our loved ones heart. The more we work on our own character, the more our children will work on theirs.

The Rebbe writes in Hayom Yom “If you rebuke your brother and he does not listen, then it is you who is to blame. Words that come from the heart, enter the heart”. If you haven't penetrated their heart, dig deeper within your own heart.

This year, Lag BaOmer is Wednesday Night - Thursday, May 18-19, 2022. I encourage you to join a Lag BaOmer celebration taking place at any Chabad or synagogue near you. You are of course welcome to join us at Chabad Chayil in HIghland Lakes for a bonfire, bbq and kumzitz, to G-d willing take place Wednesday, May 18 at 8:30pm. There’s no charge and you can bring your own music instruments to join the kumzitz. For the complete history and more lessons you can learn from this fun and Kabbalistic holiday visit www.ChabadChayil.org/Lag.

About the author: Rabbi Kievman is the ambassador of The Rebbe to Highland Lakes, FL. He is founder of CHAP - an afterschool program for Jewish children in Public Schools, rabbi at The Family Shul & together with his wife directs Chabad Chayil. He can be reached at (305) 770-1919 or [email protected]

Getting ready for college today requires much more than school supplies and textbooks. With the alarming rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on many campuses, it is essential for Jewish high school seniors to be prepared for what's ahead.

Join the Greater Miami Jewish Federation International Division and the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education for a special educational and social program, Sunday, May 15 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. in Miami Beach.

• Learn about campus resources that support Jewish life
• Gain knowledge and access tools to advocate for Israel
• Dine, dance and mingle with other incoming freshmen

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. To register, visit JewishMiami.org/college Address will be provided upon registration.

Space is limited. Dietary laws observed.

If you, a family member or friend require special accommodations to attend this program, please let us know. We will do our best to assist you.

*For more information, contact Jessica Meiler-Tangir at [email protected] or 305.705.0800."

CommUNITY Event for Israel

Commemorate Yom HaZikaron & Celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut

On Wednesday, May 4th will be Hebrew Academy's incredible Community for Israel event at Hebrew Academy Miami, 2400 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach. We have many exciting festivities planned including a meaningful program at 6:45 pm, music, face painting, delicious food for purchase and fireworks! Doors open at 5:30 pm and raffle tickets for The Warrior Auction for Education are available for purchase now through May 4th! Check out our amazing prizes today (app.galabid.com/thewarriorauction) and good luck. Please join us and bring your family members to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut with Hebrew Academy!

HFLA Provides Interest-free Loans for Those in Need

If you need us ... BORROW

If you know someone ... REFER

To find out how you can apply for an interest-free loan, visit JewishMiami.org/hfla or call 305.692.7555.

Applications are now open for Miami Diller Teen Fellows, a leadership program for Jewish 10th and 11th graders living in or attending school in Miami Dade County. Throughout the year-long Fellowship, teens develop leadership skills, connect in a global network of peers, strengthen their Jewish identities and create ripples of good throughout the world.

The program includes monthly Sunday workshops, 3 Shabbatonim (weekend retreats), a ten-day peer-to-peer exchange and hosting the Yerucham Diller Cohort in Miami and a three-week Israel Summer Seminar in July.

Diller Teen Fellows empowers teens to become leaders of tikkun olam and provides them the tools to become a force of change throughout their lifetime.

* This is an exclusive leadership cohort limited to 20 students. Apply now through May 31, 2022. Visit dillermiami for eligibility information and to learn more.*

KOSHER FOOD DISTRIBUTION DRIVE-THRU

Friday, April 29, 2022 at 7:30-11 a.m.

Greater Miami Jewish Federation Building, 4200 Biscayne Boulevard

Please use entrance on Federal Highway

Kulna is a nonprofit organization in Miami’s partner city of Yerucham in Israel's Negev region. The Kulna mission is to elevate Sephardic culture in Israeli society and educate younger generations about Judeo-Moroccan heritage both in Israel and in Morocco.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Sunday, May 1, 4:00-8:30 p.m.:

Yom Ha'Atzmaut Sunset Yacht Party with Kulna and Moishe House Midtown

For Young Jewish Professionals ages 21-35
SOLD OUT

Monday, May 2, 7:00-8:30 p.m.:

Yom Ha'Atzmaut Celebration Concert with Kulna

Dave & Mary Alper JCC Miami
11155 SW 112th Ave, Miami
For information, contact Jenine Simon [email protected] or at 305.271.9000 ext. 251.
Free event.
Click Here to RSVP

Tuesday, May 3, 6:00-7:00 p.m.:

Erev Yom HaZikaron Commemoration featuring Kulna

Temple Beth Sholom
4144 Chase Avenue, Miami Beach
For information, contact Mark Baranek at [email protected] or 305.538.7241 ext. 376
Free event. Open to the public.
Free parking at North Beach Elementary School.

Wednesday, May 4, 7:30-10:00 p.m.:

Israel@74 Art, Dance and Music Kick-Off featuring Kulna

Michael-Ann Russell JCC
18900 NE 25th Avenue, N. Miami Beach
For information, email [email protected] or call 305.932.4200 ext.165
Free event.
Click Here to RSVP

Thursday, May 5, 4:30-8:30 p.m.:

Israel 74 Independence Day Celebration featuring Kulna

Michael-Ann Russell JCC
18900 NE 25th Avenue, N. Miami Beach
For information, email [email protected] or [email protected] or call 305.932.4200 ext.165
Free event. Open to the public.
Click here to RSVP

For more information please contact Bonnie Dawson at [email protected] or 786.866.8498.

If you, a family member or friend require special accommodations to attend these events, please let us know. We will do our best to assist you.

A MESSAGE FROM THE GREATER MIAMI JEWISH FEDERATION
We respectfully request that only those who are fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours in advance of this event attend. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Join Hillels across Florida for the first-ever New Student & Families Welcome Party

New students attending Florida colleges and their parents are invited to join Hillel staff and student leaders for an informal gathering to learn about Jewish life on campus and get tips and tricks to make the college transition smooth. Meet other students, Hillel leaders, receive college swag and more!!!

Monday, April 24 from 6:30-8 p.m. at University of Miami Hillel, 1100 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables

Parties are free to attend, but advance registration is required.

To RSVP, click here

For more information, contact Jamie Zinn at [email protected] or 352.248.2601.

This year's Yom HaShoah Community Observance will be held on Sunday, May 1 at 6 p.m.

Join us in person or online as we remember the Holocaust and memorialize the 6 million Jews who were murdered and honor the Survivors.

Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach,1933-1945 Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach

Parking is available at 17th Street and Convention Center Drive

If you cannot attend in person, you may also watch the live stream online at JewishMiami.org/yomhashoah

The event will take place rain or shine.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 26TH ANNUAL MINISTERING TO THE ELDERLY CONFERENCE

Creating Meaning in Times of Uncertainty

Wednesday, June 8 at 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

On the campus of Miami Jewish Health, 5200 NE 2nd Avenue

With Keynote Speaker Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, MDiv

The Ministering to the Elderly Conference is a practical forum for caring professionals, community and spiritual leaders, in addition to those concerned with enriching the lives of seniors.

Register at JewishMiami.org/mttec or call 786.866.8621.