Every month of the Jewish calendar highlights unique events in the
unfolding story of the Jewish people. The month of Iyar, the second
month, is no exception.
The month of Iyar usually coincides with the Gregorian month of
May. Iyar is its Babylonian name. The Bible refers to it as ‘the
second month’ or ‘chodesh haziv’ (the month of
shining or blossoming). There are always two days of Rosh Chodesh Iyar
(celebration of the new moon), the first of which is the 30th day of
Nisan. Iyar always has 29 days.
Although there are no major biblical or rabbinical holidays in Iyar, there are two minor holidays. Pesach Sheni, the second Pesach, is a mandated make-up day for those who could not bring the paschal sacrifice
at its appointed time. Pesach Sheni falls on the 14th of Iyar. Lag
B’Omer, the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, is celebrated on the
18th of Iyar.
Two dates commemorating events in Israel’s modern history are
celebrated in Iyar. Israel Independence Day is celebrated on the 5th
of Iyar, and Jerusalem Day, the day Israel conquered Jerusalem during
the Six Day War, is celebrated on the 28th day of Iyar. The 4th of
Iyar is marked in Israel as its national memorial day for fallen
soldiers (Yom HaZikaron).
On the first day of Iyar, King Solomon began the construction
of the First Temple (Kings I:6:1). On the exact same day, hundreds of
years later, Ezra began the construction of the Second Temple (Ezra
3:8).
On the first day of Iyar following the exodus, the thirsty
Israelites reached a well of bitter water. Moses cast a tree into the
water and it miraculously became sweet. God then promised that if
Israel followed His ways: “The diseases I have placed on Egypt I will not place upon you, for I am the Lord your Healer.”
The Hebrew letters Iyar form an acronym of I am the Lord your Healer,
thus Iyar is a propitious time for healing.