4.29.16 Counting Up to Receive and Reclaim

Hope your seder was filled with meaning and joy.  Have you figured out ten new ways to eat matzah?  Personally, my favorites are (oldies and goodies); my abba's fried matzah (with syrup) and plain matzah with cream cheese and jam.  As you are thinking about matzah, what better time to register for the upcoming Shabbat Beineinu on May 6th? Celebrate Shabbat and replenish your chametz with music and friends.  Scroll down for details. 

Passover is hard work.  One would think we might deserve a break and just have some time to relax and just be.  Oh no, that is not the case at all.

The second night of Passover begins a journey towards receiving and reclaiming Torah. It's called counting the Omer (a measure of barley).  We count seven weeks ending at Shavuot (which literally means "weeks") - the holiday that celebrates the giving of the Torah. According to the Torah,Leviticus 23:15–16, we could just count one, two, three...all the way to forty-nine.  But, that would be mundane and Judaism is anything but mundane (right?). The Kabbalists (Jewish mystics) certainly thought it would be far more meaningful and more fulfilling to live a life immersed in deep spirituality.  So instead of just counting one, two, three...forty-nine, we are given seven qualities to reflect upon in preparation for receiving and reclaiming Torah.

1. Chesed - "Lovingkindness"
2. Gevurah - "Discipline"
3. Tiferet - "Beauty"
4. Netzach - "Eternity"
5. Hod - "Splendour"
6.Yesod - "Foundation"
7. Malkuth - "Nobility"
Each of the seven weeks is dedicated to one of the qualities and the intersection between that specific quality and itself and the other six.  Doing this inner work will enhance the journey to Shavuot and make us more ready to receive and reclaim Torah.  This first week is dedicated to Chesed, "Lovingkindness".  Am I generous with my love?  Is it unconditional?  Can I expand my Chesed?  

There are many many many contemporary writings and exercises available to support our effort and guide our reflection.  The following comes from Simon Jacobson, Meaningful Life Center (see details below for how to subscribe).

Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we make our way into Shabbat and closer to receiving and reclaiming Torah, may we be mindful of the personal chametz (that which makes us puffy - stuck, unaware and closed) we are shedding during Pesach, so we may do the inner work necessary to draw closer to becoming our best selves.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Counting!
Laurie

DAY 6  -  YESOD OF CHESED Bonding in Lovingkindness Tonight, Thursday evening, April 28, we count six days of the Omer.    For love to be eternal it requires bonding. A sense of togetherness which actualizes the love in a joint effort. An intimate connection, kinship and attachment, benefiting both parties. This bonding bears fruit; the fruit born out of a healthy union. Exercise for the day: Start building something constructive together with a loved one. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DAY 7 -  MALCHUT OF CHESED Nobility in Lovingkindness Friday evening, April 29, we count seven days, which is one week of the Omer.    Mature love comes with - and brings - personal dignity. An intimate feeling of nobility and regality. Knowing your special place and contribution in this world. Any love that is debilitating and breaks the human spirit is no love at all. For love to be complete it must have the dimension of personal sovereignty. Exercise for the day: Highlight an aspect of your love that has bolstered your spirit and enriched your life...and celebrate. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DAY 8  -  CHESED OF GEVURAH Lovingkindness in Discipline Saturday evening, April 30, we count eight days, which is one week and one day of the Omer.    The underlying intention and motive in discipline is love. Why do we measure our behavior, why do we establish standards and expect people to live up to them - only because of love. Chesed of gevurah is the love in discipline; it is the recognition that your personal discipline and the discipline you expect of others is only an expression of love. It is the understanding that we have no right to judge others; we have a right only to love them and that includes wanting them to be their best. Ask yourself: when I judge and criticize another is it in any way tinged with any of my own contempt and irritation? Is there any hidden satisfaction in his failure? Or is it only out of love for the other? Exercise for the day: Before you criticize someone today, think twice: Is it out of concern and love?

HOW TO COUNT THE OMER The Omer is counted at night, while standing, immediately following the evening prayer. You begin with the following blessing:  Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer. After reciting the blessing, reflect on the week's quality and the suggested exercise. TO subscribe and receive these teachings directly to your email:  wisdomreb@meaningfullife.com