Day 33 – Hod in Hod

Today is called Lag B’Omer—the 33rd day of the Omer. It is the day that according to tradition Rabbi Shimeon bar Yochai, the great mystic of the first century died. His students wanted him to hold on—to not surrender to death. On his deathbed he revealed secrets he had not expressed to them yet. Some he would be able to reveal and some not and the plan for the Messianic redemption would await another time. His ascension (as it is referred to) though was a complete surrender and that is why we celebrate the day of his death as a freedom. My breath is not my breath. I know not the moment of my death. When death is accepted fully it is true freedom. That is the great secret Rabbi Shimeon shared.