Making the Days Count: A Talk for Today

We are at the start of Chol HaMoed Pesach —that bridge between the Chag Shvii Shel Peach Shavuot and the rest of our lives. But let’s be honest: life in Israel right now is anything but normal. Between the energy of the Seder and hearing about five attempted attacks just this morning, trying to feel the “joy” of the holiday—the Simchat HaChag—is a struggle. It is a challenge to stay focused when things feel so heavy.

Tonight, we have started the count. We are at the very beginning of the Omer, and our Sages teach us that these 49 days are a slow climb. It is the time where we work on ourselves so we are actually ready to stand at Har Sinai.

We always hear the story of Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students who died during this time of year. These weren’t just........

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