Spiritual Light of Dr. Bob Levy: Lag Ba’Omer 5783

OmerSoul JourneyKabbalahMysticism
Written By Rabbi Minster
bonfire flaming

Today is the third yarzheit of Dr. Bob Levy, of righteous memory. He taught medieval and modern Jewish history at the Academy for Jewish Religion, California. He was a beloved B’nei Mitzvah tutor. And I was honored to be among his final students.

There is a non-historical connection between this day, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, and the purported writer of the Zohar, Rabbi Simeon ben Yochai. (In reality, the foundation of modern Jewish mysticism was written by Rabbi Moses de León in Spain.) The point is that this minor Jewish holiday celebrates the spiritual light of Hod, Splendor / Gratitude / Fullness of the Prophetic ideal. Forevermore, it will be a day on which I reflect the teachings of Dr. Levy.

I struggled a lot in my first semester with Dr. Levy because every class lecture focused on discrimination and death and displacement. It was exhausting to learn about all the ways we were blamed for not being Christian and for the deaths of children left unattended and for supposedly using blood during Passover (totally not a thing At All). Yet, now that I have actual experience supporting a community that at times is on edge from anti-Jewish bias, I am so grateful for the foundational knowledge Dr. Levy passed on. You can read Bob’s article on Ana Pauker for the Jewish Women’s Archive.

Splendor of Being Jewish

More than anything, I am grateful for being Jewish.

I am grateful that I was born into this tradition.

I am grateful that my curiosity has never been limited.

I am grateful that my need for dialogue is encouraged.

I am grateful that I am a student of Dr. Bob Levy.

The Particular Defines Us

I do not say this to diminish the experience of interfaith families.

My inter-ethnic Jewish family completely appreciates how our particularity matters.

Yes, there are universal human rights.

Yet, the way we express ourselves: our cultures, our spiritual worlds are different.

I cannot speak for others.

I can only speak from where I stand.

Gratitude for Being Alive

The beauty of this day is overwhleming.

I am humbled by all there is to do.

My children teach me patience every day.

The pain of all that’s been lost is never far away.

Yet, the desire to grow, to transform, to be better pushes me forward.

Image by Jens Mahnke via Pexels.

Rabbi Minster
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Foundation of Humility, 34 Days of Omer 5783
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Enduring Gratitude, 32 Days of Omer 5783