IYAR:
Month 2 | Iyar: “I am the Lord your healer.”
Focus: Healing
Letter: Vav (ו)
Tribe: Issachar
Sense: Thought
Although Iyar does not contain many “special days,” every single day of the month is included in the Counting of the Omer. This month is a period of introspection and self-refinement, as we prepare ourselves to receive the Torah and the Spirit anew on Pentecost. Each day of Iyar represents another step in this spiritual journey toward Mount Sinai.
Iyar is probably the name the exiles adopted during their time in Babylonian. 1 Kings 16:1 refers to Iyar as Ziv (“brightness”) because, during this month, the sun shines most brilliantly, and the summer solstice occurs (at least in the Northern Hemisphere). Jewish tradition states that the generation that left Egypt became radiant during this Iyar, for God healed them of their blemishes as they prepared to receive the Torah at Sinai. Hence the Hebrew spelling of this month is often seen as an acronym: For “I am the Lord Your Healer” (אני יהוה רופאך). The first three letters (איר) comprise the Hebrew name of this month. This is a month of healing.
The 14th day of Iyar is Pesach Sheni, “the second Passover.” The Torah describes how God created this holiday at the request of those who, for reasons beyond their control, were unable to offer the paschal sacrifice in its proper time. One month later, they received a second chance. Pesach Sheni reminds us that it’s never too late with God. With the Lord’s grace and our sincere effort, yesterday’s missed opportunity can become today’s achievement.
Major Jewish and Biblical Events in History in Iyar:
05 Iyar:
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- State of Israel Proclaimed (1948)
- Buchenwald Liberated (1945)
07 Iyar: Jerusalem’s Rebuilt Walls Dedicated (335 BC)
08 Iyar: 1st Crusade Begins (1096)
10 Iyar: Passing of Eli and his two sons (891 BC)
13 Iyar: The Jews of Berne, Switzerland were expelled on this date in 1427
14 Iyar:
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- God established the “second Passover” (pesach sheini) for anyone who was unable to bring the offering on its appointed time in the previous month (Numbers 9).
- The Jews of Bisenz, Austria were massacred in 1605
15 Iyar:
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- The supply of matzah the Israelites brought out of Egypt ran out
- Jews expelled from Russia (1727)
26 Iyar: Six-Day War Began (1967)
28 Iyar:
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- Passing of Samuel (877 BC)
- “Jerusalem Day” – Jerusalem Liberated (1967)
DON'T MISS THE CALENDAR
ELUL: The King is in the Field
The human mind will never be able to fully comprehend, at least not this side of the Resurrection, how great a sacrifice it was to lay down all the energies of divinity, to descend from the glorious fullness of eternal infinitude to humbling limitations of an impoverished baby (lacking bladder control!).
Av: The Month of Comfort in the Hebrew Calendar
The month of Av is also referred to as “Menachem Av.” “Menachem” means “consoler,” and “Av” means “father.” Due to the tragic events that occurred during this month, its name reminds us that God is there to comfort us in times of tragedy. Tu B’Av signifies rebirth after destruction and is a day for new beginnings.
Tammuz: The Month of Vision in the Hebrew Calendar
On the 3rd day of this month, the Lord miraculously stopped the sun in its tracks (allowing for sustained vision), allowing Joshua and his armies to deal a decisive blow to their enemies.