COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.
Day 44: Gevurah she b’Malchut
The Blessing (Day 44):
Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha’olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al sephirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, G-D, Source of Everything, You make us holy through your mitzvot, commanding us to count the Omer.
Ha yom arbaim v arba’a yom, shehem shisha shavuot v’shnai yomim l’Omer.
Today is the forty-fourth day, which makes six weeks and two days of the Omer.
Week Seven – Malchut (Indwelling Presence/Manifestation)
Day Forty-four: Gevurah she b’Malchut (Strength within Indwelling Presence) – LEFT SHOULDER to BETWEEN FEET/AT MOUTH
Gevurah gives us the Strength needed to make wise choices, to use our best Judgment. Good Judgment is something we develop over time through experience, learning, guidance and prayer. At 51 years old, having had many different careers and life experiences, I know that my judgment today, and my strength of will and of character, have been a result of what I have learned over those years. My connections to people and to G-d have helped to bring me to a place of readiness to walk and talk with that Strength and Discernment – Gevurah she b’Malchut.
Today, we contemplate how to use good Judgment to promote our principles in the world. As we know, Malchut is the outward Manifestation of the Divine energy within us as seen through our actions and words. When do you step forth and explicitly state your own values? When do you act to reinforce them? How do you respond to injustice? When are you silent? When do you speak? The influence of Gevurah on Malchut is the keystone to answering these questions.
Gevurah is like a kind of focusing apparatus for us, helping us to Discern the important aspects from the overwhelming din of everything around us. For example, it is very easy to allow our emotional lives to become like a roller coaster, barely in control. We compare ourselves to others and are dissatisfied with our lives. We want more than we have, we become greedy or self-critical. If we can refocus our perceptions, open to the enchantment of surprise, the magic of mystery, we can discern the touch of G-D around us.
The input of Gevurah helps our spiritual strength to grow in proportion to our awareness of G-D’s Indwelling Presence. Today, take 10 minutes of time to refocus yourself and feel, accept, and enjoy more awareness of Holy energy in your life.
**Much of today’s email has come from and been inspired by Rabbi Min Kantrowitz’s amazing book “Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide”
Yedi'a 