Counting the Omer
As of Sunday, March 28, we are in the period of the Omer, that countdown of 49 days to our next Festival, Shavuot. By doing so, we are preparing ourselves to receive Torah at Sinai. This Omer period is a time of semi-mourning, so no haircuts, no listening to instrumental music, or dancing, or weddings or other simchas are traditionally undertaken – except for the 33rd day, Lag B’Omer.
There is a mystical tradition that has been revived in some communities where we look to a chart delineating some of the qualities of the Divine to emulate on each day. It is a profound practice and in contemplating how to bring these qualities into each day, we are a step closer. Here is one translation of these attributes. To use the chart you read the guiding principle of the week through the lens of the principle of the day – so day 2 is Chesed guided by the attribute of gevurah. Etc.
The seven attributes are:
1. Chesed ― Loving-kindness
2. Gevurah ― Justice and discipline
3. Tiferet ― Harmony, compassion
4. Netzach ― Endurance
5. Hod ― Humility
6. Yesod ― Bonding
7. Malchut ― Sovereignty, leadership
Naso
May 17, 2021 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk • Tags: israel, naso, shavuot, tikkun leil •
This has been a challenging week for Israel, and for those who deeply love this country, worrying about family and friends who may be in danger.
In conversation with people the same themes comes up: relief that the Iron Dome is doing its work; once congenial Arab-Jewish neighbourhoods, are now areas of fear, horror and worry. Some of us read the news obsessively, some of us avoid all news outlets.
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