Weekly Letter: Lag B’Omer Parade 5713 (1953)

The Rebbe’s Lag B’Omer message to young Yeshivah students – expounds the lessons we can learn from Rabbi Akiba’s life story and lessons we can learn from Rabbi Akiba’s students. The Rebbe distinguishes between the students whose fate was linked with the days before Lag B’Omer and those students whose fate was linked with Lag B’Omer and the days after. The Rebbe encourages the young Yeshivah students to follow in the footsteps of Rabbi Akiva’s students connected with Lag B’Omer and the days after – for great blessings and hatzlocho in life.

This letter will IYH be included in volume 7 of Letter & Spirit.

LAG B’OMER MESSAGE TO JUNIOR YESHIVAH STUDENTS

 By the LUBAVITCHER REBBE, MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON, shlita, 

 at STUDENTS’ RALLY, LAG B’OMER, 5713

We are in the midst of the days of Sefirah and today, Lag B’Omer, is the dividing day between the somewhat numerous days before Lag B’Omer and the fewer days after Lag B’Omer. Lag B’Omer itself is I certain respects, a day of rejoicing.

The days of Sefirah and particularly Lag B’Omer, remind us of the experiences of Rabbi Akiba and his disciples, and bring a very important message, especially for Yeshivah students.

What was the turning point of Rabbi Akiba’s life? How did hi become such a great man? The Talmud tells us that when Rabbi Akiba set out to begin a life of learning, he was not at all certain how far he could go. Moreover, he was faced with great hardships, being very poor. However, some drops of water and a hard rock taught him a lesson. Observing the effect of constantly dripping water on the hard rock taught him a lesson. Observing the effect of constantly dripping waters on the hard rock, he said to himself: the rock is hard and the water is soft and the drops are small. Yet even soft and small drops of water, falling on the hard rock steadily, day after day, week after week and month after month break through the hard rock! This left no doubt in his mind that no matter how difficult it may seem to become a scholar, yet if one begins to study with a firm will, with determination and perseverance, steadily without letup, turning days into weeks and weeks into months and years of diligent study, one is eventually bound to triumph and become a man of learning. Rabbi Akiba took heart from this lesson and a you know, he did become one of the greatest Tannaim. The Talmud tells us further, that although Rabbi Akiba had been very poor, he was later blessed with great riches. This was also a reward for devoting himself to study, with no thought to anything else. 

The lesson to all Yeshivah students is clear. When they set out on the road to learning and the road seems to them long and difficult and they begin to doubt this road is for them, whether they will ever succeed, or whether this road will be useful to them in their later life…

The Sefirah days should dispel all such doubts and discouragement. For these days teach us ad remind us of the experience of Rabbi Akiba: where there is a sincere desire to learn, where there s a firm will and determination to succeed, success on the road to learning is certain. Moreover, in time this brings also success n other things and blessings of true happiness, as we are taught also in this week’s Sidrah: ”If you will walk in My statutes” which Rashi explains to mean, if you shall make your utmost effort to learn Torah, then  you will be blessed with all those Divine blessings which are enumerated in the Sidrah. 

So much for the lesson which Rabbi Akiba’s life story teaches us. What do we learn form the experience of Rabbi Akiba’s students?

Rabbi Akiba had two kinds of students. Those whose fate was linked with the days before Lag B’Omer and those whose fate was linked with Lag B’Omer and the days after. Both types had the very same teacher, Rabbi Akiba; both kinds lived at the same time and under the same circumstances. Yet, of the first kind, nothing was left; we do not even know their names. The second type however, that is, the students associated with Lag B’Omer and the days after, although they were fewer I number, yet they succeeded most wonderfully; their teachings, their names continue to shine brightly in our life to this day; they are immortal.

What was the cause for such a radial difference between them? What was the secret of success of those other disciples of Rabbi Akiba? Their success was due to the fact that they had applied themselves to study with all their efforts and determination, with ahavas Yisrael, with mutual love, peace and respect for one another. The first lot of students, on the other hand, did not consider these things important;  that proved their undoing and failure. 

It is expected and demanded of Yeshivah students in general and particularly of those attending a Yeshivah full of the spirit of Yirat-Shomaim and Chassidism, that they should remember always, that their future is in their hands: if they will endeavor to study the Torah with Ahavas Yisrael. Live in peace with their fellow students and with mutual respect for one another, their name, too, with be an honor and credit to the Yeshivah and they will become good Jews, great Jews and be a credit and pride to the whole Jewish people. 

May G-d help you to make such a firm resolution and to succeed in your determination to learn the Torah; to learn it in accordance with the wishes and hopes of its great founder, my father-in-law of saintly memory who blessed every one of his students to succeed in his trodden path. Then we may be sure that you will indeed succeed in your learning and also in your later life. It will then be possible to proclaim: “See the seedlings we have grown! Such is the fruit of a true Yeshivah upbringing. They learned properly and therefore they have succeeded in everything!”

Lag B’Omer indicates the road and inspires courage. Lag B’Omer brings an end to the pre-Lag B’Omer days and ways and introduces a new order, the order of determination to learn, with Ahavas Yisrael which is also the step and preparation for Ahavas Hashem and Ahavas Hatorah. Then G-d will send blessings and success, from His full and ample hand, to each and every one of you, your parents and all around you. 

G-d bless you with Hatzlocho.

See the Original Letter, with the Rebbe’s corrections, Below: