YISSACHAR AND THE MONTH OF IYAR
Yissachar is the scholarly Tribe. The Sanhedrin were predominantly from Yissachar, who are known as masters of the secret of the Jewish calendar: “knowers of understanding the times.” The Tribe of Yissachar are naturally contemplative, and they served as advisors to their brethren, particularly to the king.
Though there are no special holidays in Iyar, the entire month is part of the Counting of the Omer, the time of year when we are called upon to use our understanding of Torah to tame and heal our animal soul, our lower self, symbolized by the Zodiac sign of this month, Taurus, the bull. In the Torah, the month is known as Ziv, which literally means “radiance,” symbolizing the light of Torah acting on the animal soul. Iyar is the month of (natural) healing: “I am God your Healer” (ךֶאְפֹר-הוה ייִנֲא).
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