That Ritual Push

היום יום אחד בעמר
Today is one day of the omer
חסד שבחסד
A day of loving kindness in a week of loving kindness

I've been counting the omer--fairly successfully :) -- eighteen years - another chai-year milestone. It's time to start this year's count. I am not prepared, but that's not the point - the count will still begin - it's season is not predicated on my life's flow. All I have to do is be present for a moment each evening, to say the blessing, and note the count. The formulaic nature of ritual does its job, giving me that supportive push. The spiritual sequence has begun, and once again, I'm in for the ride.

Balancing Compassion and Judgement

היום שלשה ימים בעמר
Today is three days of the omer
תפארת שבחסד
A day of compassion in a week of loving kindness


Finding compassion is a theme in my life. It's been a focus for me since the realization that it is the antidote to being judgmental. But I must remember to have some chesed, some kindness for myself when the compassion/judgement balance lists too far into judgement. It's a family trait that has been so ingrained in me that it takes a lot of effort to combat. As long as I keep fighting, and keep the awareness even in times when things get out of control, I can keep moving forward.

Open to Strength

היום שני ימים בעמר
Today is two days of the omer
גבורה שבחסד
A day of strength in a week of loving kindness

This omer day of strength in loving-kindness always brings up a lesson learned years ago from one of my first omer counts - that an outstretched arm with an open hand can be stronger that a clenched fist. Last year's words hold true today, with the need to reach out for support even greater.

The Account of the Count

 היום יום אחד בעמר
Today is one day of the omer
חסד שבחסד
A day of loving kindness in a week of loving kindness

It's time to start the yearly accounting of the counting. I don't have any idea where this year's omer journey will take me. I do know that I am not alone for the ride, as the years of sharing this ritual count have influenced many of my friends to come along with me.

I have made one change in my minhag, my custom. The seventh sefirah of the count is Malchut, which I have been translating these past years as leadership. Last year I still used that, using it as a  reminder of the leadership we are lacking, of the longing for the leadership we once had. This year, I'm going to a more traditional translation - majesty. We`ll see where that leads me :)

We start the count with a double dose of loving kindness. With the state of the our country and the state of my family, I need that today.

A Needed Double Dose

היום יום אחד בעמר
Today is one day of the omer
חסד שבחסד
A day of loving kindness in a week of loving kindness

I love that we begin this yearly count from a double dose of loving kindness. It's a good place to start from in any year but even more crucial now, with no need to ask why this year is different from all other years.

It may seem that loving kindness is in short supply at this moment. That is what gives this double dose its imperativeness. We can't let anger take over our lives--as useful as that emotion can be when in a state of resistance. We must maintain that spark of loving kindness within that feeds the caring nature. We need to look for loving kindness without, finding others to support and to be supported.