May 22, 2008

VideoJew gets shaved

http://www.jewishjournal.com/ video/article/videojew_gets_shaved/

For the record, I didn't grow a beard for this video. I did it for God.

But in keeping the Omer tradition, I realized this was a tremendous opportunity to educate the world about the promises and immense potential of a truly rewarding Lag B'Omer.

But before I really develop that thought, here's some background on the Omer

49 days of counting between Passover and Shavuot (the holiday which celebrates receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai)

Hundreds of years later, a plague broke out during the Omer, which killed many students of the famous Rabbi Akiva

As a result the Omer is observed with light mourning

This means no parties, weddings, musical instruments or haircuts (shaving included)

On the 33rd of the Omer, the death stopped, which is why for that one day, we're allowed to break our observances and celebrate life.
Lag B'Omer (in English is translated to the 33rd of the Omer

While the majority of Lag B'Omer could be spent at parties, weddings or concerts, when you¹ve been growing hair on your face for over a month, its removal becomes the utmost priority.

As you can see from the video, I'm a new person without all the hair. I feel kempt, organized and in control.

But as happy as I am that its gone, I've never missed something so much in my life, from the way it itched during 80% of my day, to the way it always saved foot particles for a mid-day snack. It's gone now, but I still have another 16 days to nurture its second coming.

Until then, Happy Lag B'omer!

-- VideoJew Jay Firestone