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.
This poem is dedicated to my best Poetry Soup friend, Line Gauthier. She is a very talented poet and artist. I never imagined when I first clicked on the Poetry Soup web page that this outstanding person would become part of my life. Line has taken the time to help this graybeard wanna be poet from West Nowhere Ohio. She has given me inspiration, advice and saved me from embarrassing spelling errors. But most of all she has reminded me of human compassion in her words and deeds. Thank you Line! Below is my tribute to her in her favorite Senryu form:
an inspiration
a lovely creative soul
giving all freely
Pick a Friend Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Bobby May
9/23/19
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