A Journey Through the Omer
Shabbat is approaching, and this week we began our counting of the Omer.
As we step into the sacred practice of Counting the Omer, we are invited on a profound journey that connects our deepest selves with the rhythms of the Jewish calendar. This period of 49 days, linking Passover and Shavuot, offers us not just a count of days, but a pathway for personal transformation and renewal.
Each evening, as we count a new day, we are not merely marking time but are given the opportunity to pause, to breathe, and to reflect on the journey of our ancestors who moved from the narrow confines of Egypt towards the expansive mountaintop of Sinai. This counting is an echo of their steps and a mirror to our own spiritual pathways.
During this period, each week is associated with a divine enumeration: Chesed (loving-kindness), Gevurah (strength, discipline), Tiferet (compassion), Netzach (endurance), Hod (humility), Yesod (foundation), and Malchut/Shekhinah (sovereignty). These are not just attributes but invitations. They invite us to open our hearts, strengthen our resolve, see the beauty in our daily existence, endure challenges, appreciate the awesomeness of creation, lay down solid foundations, and lead with dignity.
In this practice, each day and each week become a container for introspection and growth. Like the Israelites in the desert, we, too, are on a journey. Each day of counting is a step towards greater spiritual freedom and a more profound understanding of our Torah, our teachings, and ourselves.
Let us use this time to cultivate awareness, to connect deeply with the cycles of nature, and to prepare ourselves to receive the wisdom of the Torah with open hearts and minds. Let us be mindful of the growth that this time can foster, remembering that every moment is an opportunity for transformation and renewal.
For years, I have had a writing practice during this time, reflecting deeply on my journey from the narrowest of places to liberation to revelation. For the last year, I've been writing Haikus on occasion, and this year, I've started my Omer Haiku project using the divine enumerations to inspire this practice. You can follow along on Substack (Chat and Notes), Facebook, Threads, Instagram and a daily TikTok video.
May our journey through the Omer be one of meaningful reflection and spiritual deepening as we walk mindfully from liberation to revelation, step by step, day by day.
Shabbat Shalom