We are now counting the days between Passover and Shavuos — “Shavuos” meaning weeks, because there are always precisely 7 weeks between the beginning of Passover, and Shavuos. Interesting tidbit: it’s the only holiday on the Jewish calendar with no set date on the Hebrew calendar. In our day, the calendar established by Hillel (the second Hillel, descended from the more famous early Tanna) ensures that Shavuos always begins on 6 Sivan, but historically it could vary as much as 2 days depending upon sightings of the new moons of Iyar and Sivan.

Also, this period will always be recalled with mourning, because it is during this period that a plague swept through the students of Rebbe Akiva, killing 24,000 scholars. When we consider how much of what we know today comes from Rebbe Akiva and his five leading students, the loss of Jewish knowledge found in those 24,000 walking Sifrei Torah boggles the mind.

Our Sages determined that this calamity befell them because on their very high standard, they failed to treat each other with adequate honor and respect. Note that they do not say they failed to honor Rebbe Akiva any way, but their fellows.

It is a warning to each of us. We know we are supposed to honor distinguished people appropriately… but what about our friends and neighbors? Are we careful to give them the same respect that, at the very least, we would expect others to give us? As the first Hillel said, “that which is hateful to you, do not do to your brother.” This is an excellent time for introspection and self-improvement in this area.