IYAR:
Month 2 | Iyar: “I am the Lord your healer.”
- Prayer Request
- Praise Report
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
Adar: The Month of Joy in the Hebrew Calendar
There are many joyous dates on the Jewish calendar, but besides Purim, none affect an entire month, causing it to be auspicious and joyous. Purim is the celebration of Israel’s rescue from the Persian leader Haman’s genocidal plot (as recorded in the Book of Esther). The Rabbis teach that Purim is like Yom Kippur (the “Day of Atonement”). While on Yom Kippur we achieve holiness through the mortification of the flesh and long hours of prayer, we realize that same level of holiness on Purim through feasting, celebration, and joy.
Shevat: The Month of Blessings and Fruitfulness in the Hebrew Calendar
According to Tradition, the first of Shevat is when Moses began giving his final address to Israel. “Across the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this Torah saying, ‘Adonai our God spoke to us at Horeb saying: ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain’” (Deuteronomy 1:5-6). For the entire month of Shevat, he would sit in the meeting tent and elucidate the Torah.
Tevet: The Month of Divine Grace in the Hebrew Calendar
2 Kings 25 tells us Nebuchadnezzar began Babylon’s siege of Jerusalem on the 10th day of Tevet (a fast day known as Asarah B’Tevet). Ironically, the Jewish people adopted the name “Tevet” during the Babylonian exile. It is believed to connote “sinking” or “immersing.”