COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.
Day 40: Hod she b’Yesod
The Blessing (Day 40):
Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha’olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al sephirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, G-D, Source of Foundation, You make us holy through your mitzvot, commanding us to count the Omer.
Ha yom arbaim yom, shehem chamisha shavuot v’chamisha yomim l’Omer.
Today is the fortieth day, which makes five weeks and five days of the Omer.
Week Six- Yesod (Foundation)
Day Forty: Hod she b’Yesod (Spendor within Foundation) – LEFT HIP to GENITALS
As we reach the 40th day of the counting of the Omer, we are reminded of multiple references in the Torah that involve this length of time, and the possibilities that can occur over it. The great flood in Genesis lasts forty days and nights. Moses remains on the mountain for forty days, listening to G-D’s instructions before returning with the stone tablets. Both of these are experiences in which major transformations occur, not just for the individual, but also for the community. Although change is difficult, it is possible, especially over time.
Building community is slow, tough work. Just like creating a foundation of a house, when we are building our community, we slowly, carefully look to put in place people and systems that work for us, layering on top of previously placed systems to strengthen our unified foundation while valuing the unique contributions and precious peculiarities of each individual. It is only through assembling many small bits of Amazing variety that we can build a firm base. This is the core of Hod she b’Yesod.
Hod points to the order inherent in complex systems, such as that of the human body, weather systems, family systems, musical systems, etc. Each has potential for the components to function together in Splendid orchestration, in mild disarray, or in total turmoil. Hod she b’Yesod brings the Amazing variety and organization we encounter in our lives to our attention, to help us erect the structures of our lives and our world.
As a trained health care professional, I can’t help but think of the complexity of the human body. The more I learned, and continue to learn, of the intricacies of the body’s systems, I have come to realize how much we rely on the Splendid varieties of cells, organs, hormones, and more, working in organized tandem, creating a firm Foundation of good health. Today, take a moment to pause, and thank G-D for the body systems that are working well within us. Even if you have a body system that is struggling, still take time to reflect on all the marvelous parts that are working well, and how they are still giving you a firm base to move through your days.
*The basis of the information in today’s topic comes from and is inspired by Rabbi Min Kantrowitz’s book “Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide”
Yedi'a 