Dying To Celebrate

Lag B'Omer, a little-known Jewish celebration today arrives in just one night and two more days A bonfire is built, there's singing and dancing What's there to celebrate on this holiday... The great Rabbi Akiba had 24,005 pupils all of whom died in 33 days, except the last five Is it cause to rejoice that they finally stopped dying? With only five left, you'd think we'd start crying! The reason to remember this less-than-stellar occasion is that old graybeard Akiva saved the whole Jewish nation He never gave up; rather, he dug in his heels With five students left, he doubled down on ideals Teaching the Torah, his fiery enthusiasm renewed Spreading God's Light, reigniting the Jews _______________________________________________ Rabbi Akiva lived from 50 - 135 C.E. He taught Torah after the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem. His school was immense -- 24,005 pupils -- all of whom died one year between the first and the 33rd day of Pass- over, primarily on account of the sin of not showing their fellow Torah scholars the honor and respect customarily due them.