Flagstaff Arizona, since Arizona is in the news and Happy Lag BaOmer a little know Jewish holiday

Occasionally, since I am also a Rabbi, I have to share some interesting Jewish stuff, or I would not be me.

Lag BaOmer - this year, May 2, 2010,(the 33rd day of the Omer count) celebrates the end of the plague amongst Rabbi Akiva's (one of our most famous and brilliant Rabbis) students, and the ascent on high of the soul of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (considered the main Rabbi  of the Kabbala ).

The mourning practices of the Omer period are suspended, which is why many three-year-old boys receive their first haircut on this day.

Many visit the grave site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron in northern Israel. It is customary to go on outings and to light bonfires; children play with bow-and-arrows to recall that "during the lifetime of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai,  the rainbow (--a sign of the world's unworthiness, as per Genesis 9:14) was not seen.

In preparation for the upcoming major holiday  of Shavuot (this year on May 19, 20, 2010) we study one of the six chapters of the Talmud's Ethics of the Fathers ("Avot") on the afternoon of each of the six Sabbaths between Passover and Shavuot; The study cycle is repeated through the summer, until the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah.)

Subject: Flagstaff Arizona



You will not believe this!!!   Follow directions…there are two pictures, but you must read the caption right after the first picture before you see the second picture…! Read The Caption on the first photo then look at the second photo Look at the picture above and you can see where this driver broke through the guardrail, on the right side of the culvert, where the people are standing on the road, pointing.   The pick-up was traveling about 75 mph from right to left when it crashed through the guardrail.   It flipped end-over-end, bounced off and  across the culvert outlet and landed right side up on the left side of the culvert, facing the opposite direction from which the driver was traveling.     The 22-year-old driver and his 18-year-old passenger were unhurt except for minor cuts and bruises. Just outside Flagstaff , AZ on U.S. Hwy 100.     Now look at the second picture below... If this guy didn't believe in a God before, do you suppose he believes now?  Share this email with family and friends.  The greater the miracle, the more profound the faith.