COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.

Day 39: Netzach she b’Yesod
The Blessing (Day 39):
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 tisha v’shloshim yom, shehem chamisha shavuot v arba’a yomim l’Omer.
Today is the thirty-ninth day, which makes five weeks and four days of the Omer.

Week Six- Yesod (Foundation)

Day Thirty-nine: Netzach she b’Yesod (Endurance within Foundation) – RIGHT HIP to GENITALS

As my father, a carpenter by trade, taught me many times, you must build a strong Foundation for any structure if you expect it to last.  He would stress this over and over again, primarily because he knew how tedious and exhausting the work is when done correctly.  This is not just true with physical structures, but also with those more esoteric foundations within our own self, families, and communities.  Meticulous attention to what builds a stable base requires perseverance, courage, and Endurance.

All long-term goals require sustained effort to handle problems or obstacles that may interfere.   Building anything stable requires numerous determined steps, not just for the original building of the base, but constant reevaluation of the structure to confirm it is still strong and accurate for our needs.  We must be persistent in keeping our eye on our planned goal as we build and maintain our strong base. Anytime something changes we must reevaluate the situation, take any steps needed to alter the foundation we stand on to make sure it is still strong, and remember to constantly review it to know that we are standing on something solid again. This can happen in any areas of our lives, from the relationships we have nurtured to the foundation of our own selves which may need to be reviewed and fortified to handle the changes from external and/or internal factors.

*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”

COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.

Day 36: Chesed she b’Yesod
The Blessing (Day 36):
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 shloshim v’shisha yom, shehem chamisha shavuot v’yom echad l’Omer.
Today is the thirty-sixth day, which makes five weeks and one day of the Omer.

Week Six- Yesod (Foundation)

Day Thirty-six: Chesed she b’Yesod (Lovingkindness within Foundation) – RIGHT SHOULDER to GENITALS

In our contemporary American language, there are at least three different meanings for the word “foundation.” 1. Structural Foundation – part of a building, usually below the ground, that transfers and distributes the weight of the edifice to the ground. 2. Legal Foundation – a legal entity, an institution formally set up by an endowment or trust, which distributes money or other resources to support specific projects or organizations. 3. Cosmetic Foundation – a type of cosmetic that is applied as the base layer for face makeup.

Each refers to the basis of something, a necessary aspect without which the rest of the system would not stand. Yesod is the sephira of spiritual Foundation.  It provides a stable platform which functions as a focus point that gathers, contains, and concentrates the Divine energy from the sephirot above it.  Standing firmly on this foundation, it is easier to hold onto our visions of a righteous society, of world peace, of communities filled with successful people caring about each other.

Chesed she b’Yesod reminds us to use our compassion to help one another.  As we prop each other up, the foundation of the world is strengthened.  The structural framework of a righteous life is supported by Love.  This can be seen in social action and civic involvement.  When we “take a stand” on an ethical, moral or political issue, Chesed she b’Yesod is at work.  We are reminded today that the stands we take on important issues are informed by the constant Lovingkindness flowing from G-d and our own spiritual Foundation.

*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”

COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.

Day 35: Malchut she b’Hod
The Blessing (Day 35):
Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha’olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al sephirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, G-D, Source of Splendor, You make us holy through your mitzvot, commanding us to count the Omer.

Ha yom shloshim v’chamisha yom, shehem chamisha shavuot l’Omer.
Today is the thirty-fifth day, which makes five weeks of the Omer.

Week Five- Hod (Splendor, Glory, Reverberation)

Day Thirty-five: Malchut she b’Hod (Indwelling Presence within Splendor) – BETWEEN FEET/AT MOUTH to LEFT HIP

The sephira Malchut, often referred to as Kingdom/Sovereignty, acknowledges that the best kind of sovereignty, or in our more modern take of the term – leadership – arises from recognizing the Divine Presence within all creation. With this Divine Presence, we are all sparked with divinity, of godliness.

As Malchut influences Hod, we can see the magnificence of G-d within all of life’s complexities. Every little piece of our world is a part of a larger entity. The vast mountain ranges throughout our world and the single grains of sand of the world’s beaches are all part of the same world, the one planet Earth. Although completely different in size and scope, they are each individually small aspects of a much larger whole. They are both part of a slow-moving cycle of change in rocks that has been going on since the formation of the planet. They are part of something much larger than a particle of sand or even a range of towering mountains, all with the spark of the divine.

The study of ecology, and the influence that each different animal, plant, bacteria, virus, air particle change, and more, can have on the others, provides a scientific basis for this same insight.  We are not completely separated from each other, or from any part of our surroundings.  Each unique aspect of G-D’s Splendor plays a part in the outcome of who we are, in our Manifestation.  Indwelling Presence reminds us to honor that Splendor, that Glorious Variety, that provides us with so much that we need.

*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”

COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.

Day 35: Malchut she b’Hod
The Blessing (Day 35):
Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha’olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al sephirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, G-D, Source of Splendor, You make us holy through your mitzvot, commanding us to count the Omer.

Ha yom shloshim v’chamisha yom, shehem chamisha shavuot l’Omer.
Today is the thirty-fifth day, which makes five weeks of the Omer.

Week Five- Hod (Splendor, Glory, Reverberation)

Day Thirty-five: Malchut she b’Hod (Indwelling Presence within Splendor) – BETWEEN FEET/AT MOUTH to LEFT HIP

The sephira Malchut, often referred to as Kingdom/Sovereignty, acknowledges that the best kind of sovereignty, or in our more modern take of the term – leadership – arises from recognizing the Divine Presence within all creation. With this Divine Presence, we are all sparked with divinity, of godliness.

As Malchut influences Hod, we can see the magnificence of G-d within all of life’s complexities. Every little piece of our world is a part of a larger entity. The vast mountain ranges throughout our world and the single grains of sand of the world’s beaches are all part of the same world, the one planet Earth. Although completely different in size and scope, they are each individually small aspects of a much larger whole. They are both part of a slow-moving cycle of change in rocks that has been going on since the formation of the planet. They are part of something much larger than a particle of sand or even a range of towering mountains, all with the spark of the divine.

The study of ecology, and the influence that each different animal, plant, bacteria, virus, air particle change, and more, can have on the others, provides a scientific basis for this same insight.  We are not completely separated from each other, or from any part of our surroundings.  Each unique aspect of G-D’s Splendor plays a part in the outcome of who we are, in our Manifestation.  Indwelling Presence reminds us to honor that Splendor, that Glorious Variety, that provides us with so much that we need.

*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”

COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.

Day 34: Yesod she b’Hod
The Blessing (Day 34):
Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha’olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al sephirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, G-D, Source of Splendor, You make us holy through your mitzvot, commanding us to count the Omer.

Ha yom shloshim v’arba’ah yom, shehem arba’ah shavuot v’shisha yamim l’Omer.
Today is the thirty-fourth day, which makes four weeks and six days of the Omer.

Week Five- Hod (Splendor, Glory, Reverberation)

Day Thirty-four: Yesod she b’Hod (Foundation within Splendor) – GENITALS to LEFT HIP

Yesod she b’Hod concentrates on the firm foundation that underscores the splendor in our lives.  A few years ago, a friend of mine found herself in a struggle with breast cancer.  She shared her journey with many of us through a kind of blog, allowing her to tell her story as well as creating a true recounting of her struggles and successes while she was “in-the-moment”.  Being a rabbi, she was very adept at writing her thoughts with clarity and focus, relating her true feelings to us through her words.  Unfortunately, although she initially recovered, ultimately her life ended due to the disease. But, we can look back at her story knowing that in the days of pain and uncertainty, she was still able to find positive moments to grace her life.

The interesting part of this for me, which relates to today’s theme of Yesod she b’Hod, is that her most positive writings, regardless of the struggles of the day, came from days in which she had taken walks in nature.  When she was feeling most vulnerable, these walks were very calming, reminding her of the spiritual foundation underlying the splendor of the natural world around her.  The unique and glorious variety of the plants and animals she encountered provided her with a stronger sense of her place in the world, and the strength of that kind of structure helped her to feel supported internally in addition to the external support she was being given.

Today, take a moment to observe the world around you, marveling at the solid foundation of which the variety of plants and animals are all a part of, allowing us to feel supported in all we do.

*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”

COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.

Day 33: Hod she b’Hod
The Blessing (Day 33):
Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha’olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al sephirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, G-D, Source of Splendor, You make us holy through your mitzvot, commanding us to count the Omer.

Ha yom shloshim v’shloshim yom, shehem arba’a shavuot v’chamishim yamim l’Omer.
Today is the thirty-third day, which makes four weeks and five days of the Omer.

Week Five- Hod (Splendor, Glory, Reverberation)

Day Thirty-three: Hod she b’Hod (Splendor within Splendor) – LEFT HIP to LEFT HIP

Today, on this 33rd day of the Omer, we celebrate the special holiday of Lag b’Omer.  “Lag” is not a Hebrew word; it is the numerical equivalent of the number 33.  It is formed from the combination of the Hebrew letter lamed for 30 and gimel for 3.  (LG – sound produced is LAG)  In Jewish history, a number of tragedies occurred during this 7 week period of the Counting of the Omer (any Google search will bring up tons of information on this so I won’t list it here).  To commemorate these calamities, it has become customary in traditional Jewish communities to observe a period of semi-mourning during the counting of the Omer and many festivities are not held during this time.  On the 33rd day though, Lag b’Omer, we stop our mourning for the day, and take this time to appreciate the myriad splendors of the world around us, to notice all the varieties of creation with gratitude.  It is a holiday of appreciating nature, and in Israel, people celebrate this by having picnics in the woods.

Hod she b’Hod mirrors the splendor of creation, the unfolding mystery of electrons within atoms within molecules within chemicals within cells within heart muscles.  We wonder at the mystery of why planes fly and if dogs have a sense of humor, speculate on the miracles of healing and the challenges of love.  It is a time to think like a young child, asking questions about the nature of reality, in delight and wonder.  Hod she b’Hod asks that we relish detail, noting the magnificent diversity of creation in all its aspects.

Today is the eighteenth day of the month of Iyar – the Chai (life) of the month.  Eighteen is a very special number in Judaism, celebrating all that is life. It is a special day for recognizing the Splendor of life, the awesomeness of our world and our place in it.

*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”

COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.

Day 32: Netzach she b’Hod
The Blessing (Day 32):
Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha’olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al sephirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, G-D, Source of Splendor, You make us holy through your mitzvot, commanding us to count the Omer.

Ha yom shnaim v’shloshim yom, shehem arba’a shavuot v’arba’a yamim l’Omer.
Today is the thirty-second day, which makes four weeks and four days of the Omer.

Week Five- Hod (Splendor, Glory, Reverberation)

Day Thirty-two: Netzach she b’Hod (Endurance within Splendor) – RIGHT HIP to LEFT HIP

All systems need constant, repetitive infusions of energy to maintain and to grow, allowing them to create glorious splendor. As we all have been reminded during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical research is based on repeated attempts to address causes and cures of disease, taking into account each of the variables to be considered, persisting until the right combination is found. Dogged efforts that are fraught with many failures are necessary to achieve positive results.

Many of our greatest inventions and achievements have come from this kind of enduring persistence (Netzach), followed by repeating the approaches with slight adjustments in response to the reverberating effects (Hod) that occur. As I am writing this, I am thinking about a movie I watched that told the story of Thomas Edison and his persistence in creating the light bulb. It was Netzach she b’Hod in his “Invention Factory” in Menlo Park, NJ as he (and others) tested more than 1600 materials in his search for the right material for the filament. Imagine the Splendid variety of items they considered, from coconut fiber to fishing line to human hair, before their Endurance paid off in finding the perfect material – carbonized bamboo. What a Glorious sight when he was able to light up 25 buildings in New York’s Financial District on September 4, 1882.

In our own lives, repetition and repeated focus play a key role in contributing to our growth.  The insistent energy of Netzach makes the continued change and variety of Hod possible.  If, for example, your goal is to be physically fit, you will need to apply significant amounts of preparation, learning, and practice to achieve it.  You may find that sometimes a change in your approach and strategy is necessary to move toward your desired end.  It can be due to an injury that alters what you can do, or from new information about a better technique that causes you to consider the variety of Splendid options available as you Persist and Endure.  Netzach she b’Hod reminds us that nurturing continuous optimism through many small careful decisions moves us toward our goals.

*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”

COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.

Day 31: Tiferet she b’Hod
The Blessing (Day 31):
Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha’olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al sephirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, G-D, Source of Splendor, You make us holy through your mitzvot, commanding us to count the Omer.

Ha yom echad v’shloshim yom, shehem arba’a shavuot v’shlosha yamim l’Omer.
Today is the thirty-first day, which makes four weeks and three days of the Omer.

Week Five- Hod (Splendor, Glory, Reverberation)

Day Thirty-one: Tiferet she b’Hod (Harmony within Splendor) – HEART to LEFT HIP

The sum is greater than the parts. What a wonderful idea, but how does it translate when considering Tiferet she b’Hod, Beauty within the Splendor? It is the multitude of individual small bits of Beauty that are necessary to produce overall Splendor. I’ll use something from my childhood to illustrate this point.

My father is an avid lover of nature and its wonders, and he instilled this love of awesomeness of the universe in his children through some unconventional ways.  I can vividly recall summer afternoons when we would be caught in a rainstorm while driving home from a day of swimming in the local woods.  My father knew where each great naturally made swimming hole was from the creeks that flowed in the mountains surrounding our home in the valley of Wilkes-Barre, PA.  He would take us and the neighborhood children out for fantastic adventure-filled afternoons away from the cement and tile public pools that were found in the city.

Sometimes on those summer afternoons, we would be caught in a rainstorm. He would pull our car to the side of the road, and we would watch as the raindrops would fall on the front windshield, making a dance as they each took a different path down the glass. Although they essentially were the same chemical composition of oxygen and hydrogen (H2O), each droplet was uniquely awesome, a variation of size and intensity, some reflecting light and shimmering while others remained dark and heavy to the eye. They would play and dance together, creating a beautiful sight, the Harmony of each unique drop combining to create a Splendorous effect, and he would engage us in conversations about the sight and how awesome it was.

To magnify the joy and beauty to be found in this rather “mundane” event, he would have us all get out of the car (we were still in our bathing suits) and play in the rain along the side of the road. He felt it was important for us to remember that we are part of the interplaying beauty and harmony of each unique part of the universe, and that it was appropriate to show our appreciation for it, rather than to hide away from it under umbrellas or in shelter. (Obviously, this would not be in a thunderstorm, although he did love to bring us out to watch lightning on the porch, but that’s another story!) Don’t get me wrong – he didn’t elaborate in those words, yet I know this is exactly what he wanted to impart to us. That we are part of a bigger universe, and that we must appreciate each small piece for what it is as well as what role it plays to create the bigger aspect. The sum is greater than the parts, even when the parts are beautiful themselves.

We can consider this same concept by looking at the amazing way individual people, each with their own strengths and idiosyncrasies, can come together to work toward a wonderful goal.  Each individual talent, when pulled together, can create something greater than just the sum of the individual parts.  It is Harmony within the Splendor that is the cause of this beautiful magnificent world when brought together in this way.

Today, as Tiferet influences Hod, we remember that all life is a balancing act that contributes to the universe’s impressive and infinite variety, each part interconnected to the dynamic whole.

*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”