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.
Showing posts with label gevurah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gevurah. Show all posts
Monday, April 02, 2018
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Life's path
היום תשעה ימים, שהם שבוע אחד ושני ימים, בעמר
Today is nine days, which is one week and two days, of the omer
גבורה שבגבורה
A day of strength in a week of strength
This year, I see the double dose of gevurah not as increasing the amount of might, but about needing strength to temper strength. Strong actions, strong emotions, strong words can act as support, or they can do harm. One benefit of a mindfulness practice is that it creates container of awareness, a way to hold those strengths, see them for what they are, and a help to find the best direction for them to take. It's not an easy path, one filled with unpredictable turns---but it is the path of life.
Today is nine days, which is one week and two days, of the omer
גבורה שבגבורה
A day of strength in a week of strength
This year, I see the double dose of gevurah not as increasing the amount of might, but about needing strength to temper strength. Strong actions, strong emotions, strong words can act as support, or they can do harm. One benefit of a mindfulness practice is that it creates container of awareness, a way to hold those strengths, see them for what they are, and a help to find the best direction for them to take. It's not an easy path, one filled with unpredictable turns---but it is the path of life.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
With an Open Palm
היום שני ימים בעמר
Today is two days of the omer
גבורה שבחסד
A day of strength in a week of loving kindness
Fifteen years ago, during my second year of the omer practice, I was in the midst of chemotherapy. The treatment was synchronous with the Jewish calendar. My first infusion was on the first of Nissan, the biblical start of the year, and my last was on the 49th day of the omer. It was great to have a path to walk, to mark each day in a way that wasn't tied to my cancer. The intentions took on new meanings when seen through the filter of illness. What I discovered about gevurah - strength, has stayed close to me to this day.
The clenched fist, often raised, is a pervasive symbol of strength. There is tension in that gesture, a tension that forms a base for the power that is portrayed. But that year, I learned that power also emanates from reaching out with an open palm. It takes strength to reach out to ask for help. That strength is magnified when it is met and joined with another's strength in giving.
Today is two days of the omer
גבורה שבחסד
A day of strength in a week of loving kindness
Fifteen years ago, during my second year of the omer practice, I was in the midst of chemotherapy. The treatment was synchronous with the Jewish calendar. My first infusion was on the first of Nissan, the biblical start of the year, and my last was on the 49th day of the omer. It was great to have a path to walk, to mark each day in a way that wasn't tied to my cancer. The intentions took on new meanings when seen through the filter of illness. What I discovered about gevurah - strength, has stayed close to me to this day.
The clenched fist, often raised, is a pervasive symbol of strength. There is tension in that gesture, a tension that forms a base for the power that is portrayed. But that year, I learned that power also emanates from reaching out with an open palm. It takes strength to reach out to ask for help. That strength is magnified when it is met and joined with another's strength in giving.
ביד חזקה ובזרע נטויה
It was by a mighty hand AND an outstretched arm that we were freed from Egypt, from our narrow place. We reach out our arms and, fingers wide, to clasp the open hands stretched out before us.
The sum of our shared gevurah, our shared strength, is greater than the whole.
It was by a mighty hand AND an outstretched arm that we were freed from Egypt, from our narrow place. We reach out our arms and, fingers wide, to clasp the open hands stretched out before us.
The sum of our shared gevurah, our shared strength, is greater than the whole.
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