Emor-D’var Torah-Rabbi Yakira

“The death of human empathy is one of the earliest and most telling signs of a culture about to fall into barbarism.”-Hannah Arendt. In Parashat Emor, we learn about the mitvah of Sefirat HaOmer (Counting 49 days of the Omer). On the 33rd day, called Lag BaOmer, we commemorate the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who lived in a cave with his son, in total isolation for twelve years, studying Torah, they both had to remain in the cave for an additional year, after realizing they are lacking empathy and hurting others, forgetting the golden rule VeAhavta Lereacha Kamocha, Love your fellow as yourself.