Lag B'Omer

The students of Rabbi Akiva died for 32 days because they did not grant enough Kavod to each other. We must seek the Kavod of HaShem, and the Kavod of others. We must flee from drawing Kavod to ourselves. The nurture of pride is a great temptation to great people. Pride is what made Kayin sin. Pride made Yosef's brothers sin. Pride is what made the ten Spies sin, seeing that their position of leadership would be lost to them after entering the Land. Pride is what made Korach rebel against Moshe. Pride caused the sin of Yerovam ben Nevat, who could not bear the thought to be second to the son of Yishai. Pride leads to hatred and division. This is how Sinat Chinam arose during Bayit Sheni. The persistence of the sin of pride is why Israel had to submit to the nations. Its rectification requires a reality in which the holiest of the Jews can be murdered by the lowest of the gentiles, as happened to rabbi Akiva himself. The wise will understand.

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