Q. In our shul we make a seuda every year likvod Rashbi on Lag Baomer, we light candles and say divei Torah in his honor. Someone suggested that since it is also the yortzait of the Remoh, we should also include him in the divrei Torah and candles lighted. Since we have already a long standing tradition, is it correct now to change?
A. On question 15 in regards to the different gilgulim (reincarnation) of Moshe Rabeinu we wrote; Besides Hevel as the source of Moishe Rabeinu neshamah, Sheis is mentioned too, see Nahal Kedumim (Shemos 2 ), as in the acronim of Moishe, Mem = Moishe, Shin = Sheis, Hey = Hevel. Another stage to his gilgul often mentioned is Rebi Shimon Bar Yochai (Zohar ch. 3 p.134). A remez to this connection is found in the fact that the seventh of Adar (Yortzeith of Moishe Rabeinu is the same day of the week as Lag Baomer (Yortzaith of RaShb”I), also the Gematriah of Lag Baomer corresponds to the numerical value of the name Moishe (345).
It is insightful to note that many would praise the Remoh by calling on him “From Moshe to Moshe, there was none like Moshe,” words that are inscribed in his matzeiva (See also Responsa Remoh 67, that that is the way the Maharshal addressed him. See also ChavosYoir 43).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that adding a small change to the accustomed tradition of the Lag Baomer seuda, does not affect the main intention of commemorating the occasion and the honor given to RaShb”I.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
Important Numbers
