17 IYAR/32 Baomer ends reason. 32 is highest level of ("the 32 alleys of) Chochma. 33 is transcendence. This is part of the idea that this (day 33) is connected to RaShBI.

 

The teacher of RaShBI whose students stopped (interrupted their) dying on Lag Baomer. who was Rabbi Akiva? Based on a series of Maamarei Chazal that reveal this incredibly graat Tanna's life, stuggle and extraordinary success.

51 min 46 sec. 23.7 MB.

 

RaShBI (Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochaii).

This Tanna has a Yom Tov (holiday) all his own that all Yidden keep the question is (still) only why (exactly).

The Tzaddik who insisted his histalkus (passing) be a great joy and merited to have his desire continued for nearly two millenium.

Some details about this extraordinary Tanna based on a series of Maamrei ChaZal. This class blends together history, stories and detailed references to the RaShBi's Torah.

Note: Thank you to a listener for sending in the following helpful comments.

1. It was not Choni HaMaagel whose house collapsed. The Gemara in Ta'anis tells this story about Nachum Ish Gam Zu. he was blind lacking hands and feet, covered in boils, lying in a ruinous house, with his bed placed in water-jugs to prevent ants reaching him. His students wanted to rescue him from the house and then his vessels. He told them to save the vessels first as it was his merit that was keeping it from collapsing. As soon as they took him out, the house collapsed.

2. Because R. Avrohom HaLevi said Nacheim on Lag BaOmer, his son (not he) died within the month.

1 hour, 21 min, 10 sec. 37.2 MB.

(Based on the sefer Nachalas Avos and the Gemara in Shabbos 33b).

NOTE: There is a mistake in this class: Yehuda Ben Geirim didn't actually go and inform the authorities. He simply shared it with his students and family members (Rashi). Word eventually reached the authorities. He is perhaps guilty for having a  lack of discretion. [Submitted by M.H.].

The Idra Zuta relates how RaShBI actually planned and orchestrated his holy soul's ascent into heaven. In this class we study inside the (beginning and end of) the text from the Idra Zuta that describes this last meeting with his disciples where the deepest secrets of the Torah were revealed. RaShbI returned his soul to his maker in the "fire" of this Torah.

26.7 MB.

 Note: There is a mistake in this class: The Gemara states explicitly that Talmidei R. Akiva died from askara (a natural illness). Thus, the Talmidim's death by a natural means isn't speculative but explicitly stated in the Gemara. [Submitted by M.H.].

 

 Farbrengens.

 

 

This letter was written by the Rebbe in IYAR 5711. It explains what Kabbala and Chassidus are about: Unity. Unity within the individual is a first step to ultimate unity in the whole world.