Day 8-1 Sefirat HaBinyan/Building the Realm and Counting Up

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalom (Reb Zalman) wrote:

“People who have worked on their awareness have pointed out that there are 49 days from the end of Tish’ah b-Av / the fast of the 9th of Av, to the day before Rosh HaShannah.  In counting S’feerah between Pesach andShavu’ot, we make our way downward from Chesed of Chesed to Malchut of Malchut.  During the Elul  season, we make our way upward from Malchut of Malchut toChesed of Chesed.”  (A Guide for Starting Your New Incarnation, 2001, ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, p. 1)

I will use this way of counting up through the days between Tisha b'Av and Rosh HaShannah to cleansing spirit and soul, using the sefirot as a spark for personal daily meditations to map out and reflect on the journey. Below are my kavanot or intentions for climbing up from 5773 to 5774.

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 8

There is loving-kindness and there is loving discipline to help take ourselves kindly and yet firmly in order. I have a new doctor because my other one retired. After doing all the things you need to do in an annual physical exam the doctor sweetly said to me “You know you really need to lose some weight and do more exercise.” I looked at her and said “Do you think I don’t know that?” She replied in the same sweet manner “Well maybe so but if I didn’t say something it wouldn’t be right.” True.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 8 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 1 week, and 1 day Chesed Sheb’ Gevurah.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 7

In many synagogue spaces, over the ark containing the holy torah scroll, you will find the phrase “Know before whom you stand” which comes from a discussion in the Talmud, Masekhet Berakhot.  I say in addition to knowing before whom you stand you have to know who you are and where your roots are. As we come to this last week  there is no more room to hide. With loving kindness take a close look at your center and see what is left to cleanse and left to rid yourself of. Then just breathe.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 7 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 1 week,  Malchut Sheb’ Chesed.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 6

A bonding that could be eternal or just making intimate connections that will benefit all the parties. This is what happens or perhaps what should happen at a Parent-Teacher meaning. We are in this journey together with the same goal of providing for a child an environment rich and full. For some the newness will take time to wear off and for others it is the comfort of old friends. We are wonderful individuals and now we must create a wonderful community.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 6 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah,  Yesod Sheb’ Chesed.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 5

God has not provided me with my own children but I am lucky enough to share my love amongst the children in my class each year. I am humble at the way luck, life, has turned out so far. I accept these children as temporary gifts, treasures to be given back at the end of the day. I promise to respect them and in return request respect from them for me and for each other. There will be mistakes of course but we will learn from them. Well…we can only hope.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 5 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, Hod Sheb’ Chesed.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 4

Ernest Hemingway wrote “only travel with those you love”. I have driven to the beach with my mommy whom I have loved all my life. I am a good traveler. Mom travels when she has to rather than because she wants to. Packing at the last moment one of her bags is left at home. We arrive to the beach fine but the evening has tears for the things forgotten. The items are not essential but I remind myself that everyone’s “stuff” is important to them. Then I receive a email from a friend rushing to hospital in Florida where her mother is dying. More tears to remind us of what we love.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 4 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, Netzach Sheb’ Chesed.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 3

Early waking to see the sun, the shore, the sand, the waves and the water. There is a beauty to the ocean with its waves washing the sandy shore. I never get tired of looking at it. Beresheet, in the beginning, God created all this. The water beats on the sand cleaning it and refining it as I imagine our prayers should do for us. At the end of my day the same water beats down but this time in the form of pouring rain on the car as I drive home after six hours in the ER with mom’s swollen ankle. The more things change the more they stay the same. Purifying and giving support.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 3 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, Tiferet Sheb’ Chesed.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 2

How do we balance our loving-kindness and guide it with discipline? I want to be supportive with my mom and her hurt leg. I want to be supportive with my friend who wants and needs a shiva minyan. I need to privately welcome the last child into my classroom. I need to start opening my heart in order to lead Rosh HaShanah services. Working on yourself is a never ending process like the cycles of the moon. I am not going to be perfect but I will have taken the first steps to being renewed.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 2 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, Gevurah Sheb’ Chesed.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 1

Forty-nine days. My last twenty-four hours of reflection begins with a new student visit filled with discovery and beginnings. The day ends with a shiva minyan for a parent that has died with a feeling of loss and endings. Loving-kindness upon loving-kindness.  Yes it is clear this is the lesson. Can one ever be too kind? I have come to the conclusion there is no such thing. Let the great ideas and the smart thoughts take second place to a shofar sounding out kindness. Tekiah Gedolah!

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there is 1 day left until erev Rosh HaShannah, Chesed Sheb’ Chesed.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

Day 15-9 Sefirat HaBinyan/Building the Realm and Counting Up

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalom (Reb Zalman) wrote:

“People who have worked on their awareness have pointed out that there are 49 days from the end of Tish’ah b-Av / the fast of the 9th of Av, to the day before Rosh HaShannah.  In counting S’feerah between Pesach andShavu’ot, we make our way downward from Chesed of Chesed to Malchut of Malchut.  During the Elul  season, we make our way upward from Malchut of Malchut toChesed of Chesed.”  (A Guide for Starting Your New Incarnation, 2001, ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, p. 1)

I will use this way of counting up through the days between Tisha b'Av and Rosh HaShannah to cleansing spirit and soul, using the sefirot as a spark for personal daily meditations to map out and reflect on the journey. Below are my kavanot or intentions for climbing up from 5773 to 5774.

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 15

“Psalm 27:13-[They would have crushed me] had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (#1)” Giving myself and others gentle compassion that there is hope at the end of the tunnel. Everyone must have hope to go on. Each of us must have hope and belief in our own hearts but also reach out to those we see in need.“Psalm 27:13- I wouldn't have survived If I hadn't hoped that I would see, yet, Your goodness, God, fully alive on earth. (#2)”

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 15 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 2 weeks, and 1 days, Chesed Sheb’ Tiferet.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/Psalm 27 #1 translated by Y.B. Marcus, Nissen Mangel and Eliyahu Touger, #2 translated by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 14

“Psalm 27:14- Hope in the Lord, be strong and let your heart be valiant, and hope in the Lord. (#1)” We must believe with conviction and we must say with belief that it can happen in our time. If we can open our hearts to the goodness in each other, to the light not the darkness and be disciplined to always look for it in ourselves and in each other. If we do we can have heaven on earth.“Psalm 27:14-I wouldn't have survived If I hadn't hoped that I would see, yet, Your goodness, God, fully alive on earth. (#2)”

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 14 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 2 weeks, Malchut Sheb’ Gevurah.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/Psalm 27 #1 translated by Y.B. Marcus, Nissen Mangel and Eliyahu Touger, #2 translated by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 13

A week in a seminary living in a monk cell for my Jewish chanting retreat and there was no tv. Then I spent three days staying in a Japanese spa in a room not a monk cell but without a tv. For ten days I was in spaces without tvs and so I have watched no tv nor missed it. Tonight my new hotel has a tv and I am watching it. I thought perhaps I had acquired the discipline to ignore a tv after being without it but I was wrong. How strong is my discipline? It needs bonding because it cannot exist on its own.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 13 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 1 week, and 6 days  Yesod Sheb’ Gevurah.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 12

Well, well well, the first night I didn’t make it to writing a kavanah. Exhausted from touring and finding comfort in hot water and clean sheets could be my excuse. I suppose the excitement of going up the tram to the top of the Sandia mountains to watch the sunset and then thinking about a hot air balloon ride this morning were distractions. Well pride goes before a fall when you are disciplined but forget about being humble. Obviously still more to work on in these last days.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 12 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 1 week, and 5 days  Hod Sheb’ Gevurah.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 11 

The sun rises everyday even if we don’t see it. I have seen sunrises from the ground and from a plane. I have seen the sunrise from many different countries but this morning was the first morning to see the sunrise while being in a hot air balloon. I saw the same sunrise and yet it was fresh. Perhaps we need something new now and then to see things in a different way. Maybe we should look at which of our regular rules and regs might benefit from being seen through a different prisim.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 11 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 1 week, and 4 days Netzach Sheb’ Gevurah.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 10

Being disciplined to wake up for early air flights is something I am always amazed I can do. I set two alarms but in my head I know there will be no ignoring the alarms as I might on any other morning. There is a flight to be caught and maybe a hotel bill to settle and sometimes a rental car to return. Getting to the airport and getting through security has to be accounted for as well. I have learned to be compassionate towards myself since it means I will end up not sleeping long enough and I love my 8 hours of sleep. It is the price to be paid.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 10 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 1 week, and 3 days Tiferet Sheb’ Gevurah.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 9

We are not yet at the Jewish new year but we are approaching a new school year when discipline and organization become especially important. From my vacation I am hoping to bring in even more of the outdoorsfor the children I will be teaching and for myself because I know that being close to nature is calming. It is easier just to stay inside. I will really need to find a way to keep my own focus on the trees and what they represent and in my joy carry the children along with me.

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 9 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 1 week, and 2 days Gevurah Sheb’ Gevurah.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

Day 22-16 Sefirat HaBinyan/Building the Realm and Counting Up

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalom (Reb Zalman) wrote:

“People who have worked on their awareness have pointed out that there are 49 days from the end of Tish’ah b-Av / the fast of the 9th of Av, to the day before Rosh HaShannah.  In counting S’feerah between Pesach andShavu’ot, we make our way downward from Chesed of Chesed to Malchut of Malchut.  During the Elul  season, we make our way upward from Malchut of Malchut toChesed of Chesed.”  (A Guide for Starting Your New Incarnation, 2001, ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, p. 1)

I will use this way of counting up through the days between Tisha b'Av and Rosh HaShannah to cleansing spirit and soul, using the sefirot as a spark for personal daily meditations to map out and reflect on the journey. Below are my kavanot or intentions for climbing up from 5773 to 5774.

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 22

“Psalm 27:6- And then my head will be raised above my enemies around me, and I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of jubilation; I will sing and chant to the Lord. (#1)” Even the strongest of us need love to endure. The Lord does not forget me but I must be counted by my earthly family too. As we sing Halleluyah up to the One let me gather in my holy sisters and brothers to celebrate. “Psalm 27:6- And now, as You have held my head high despite the presence of my powerful foes I prepare to celebrate and thrill, singing and making music to You, Yah!”(#2)

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 22 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 3 weeks, and 1 days, Chesed Sheb’ Netzach.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/Psalm 27 #1 translated by Y.B. Marcus, Nissen Mangel and Eliyahu Touger, #2 translated by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 21

“Psalm 27:7- Lord, hear my voice as I call; be gracious to me and answer me. (#1)” Getting closer and into a week of compassion. There are no distractions and God and I get right to the point. What’s that? So I need to show I can really forgive and start off with a clean slate? Can I use the text of the Torah to become more open or as Reb Shefa puts it, more porous? Not to worry for I will keep my dignity. “Psalm 27:7- Listen Yah, to the sound of my cry And, being kind, answer me!”(#2)

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 21 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 3 weeks, Malchut Sheb’ Tiferet.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/Psalm 27 #1 translated by Y.B. Marcus, Nissen Mangel and Eliyahu Touger, #2 translated by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 20

“Psalm 27:8- In Your behalf my heart says, ‘Seek My countenance’; Your countenance, Lord, I seek. (#1)” During a ritual today at my retreat we were asked what stops our flow?  What do we do to keep ourselves from getting what we want. If I want to bond with God what then is keeping me from doing it? Fear? Compassion should be shown to others but it also has to be shown to ourselves. I don’t fear the lack of God’s love but  lack of someone to catch me when I fall. “Psalm 27:8- My heart has said, I turn to seek you. Your presence is what I beg for.(#2)”

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 20 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 2 weeks, and 6 days, Yesod Sheb’ Tiferet.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/Psalm 27 #1 translated by Y.B. Marcus, Nissen Mangel and Eliyahu Touger, #2 translated by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 19

“Psalm 27:9- Do not conceal Your countenance from me; do not cast aside Your servant in wrath. You have been my help; do not abandon me nor forsake me, God of my deliverance. (#1)” The writer of this psalm is showing humility and is clear in what they need. I wonder if I am as clear. I know what I need but to get it my words need to be more humble and filled with compassion instead of just desire. “Psalm 27:9- Don't hide Your face from me. Don't just put me down, You who have been my helper. Don't abandon me, don't forsake me, God my support.(#2)”

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 19 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 2 weeks, and 5 days, Hod Sheb’ Tiferet.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/Psalm 27 #1 translated by Y.B. Marcus, Nissen Mangel and Eliyahu Touger, #2 translated by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 18

“Psalm 27:10- Though my father and mother have forsaken me, the Lord has taken me in. (#1)” There are many here at my retreat with parents who have died or who are in their last stages of transition. We who were once shown compassion by our parents must now be the ones to give compassion. An enduring dance in which we switch places. It makes this line of the psalm all the meaningful.“Psalm 27:10- Though my father and my mother have left me You, Yah, will hold me securely.(#2)”

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 18 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 2 weeks, and 4 days, Netzach Sheb’ Tiferet.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/Psalm 27 #1 translated by Y.B. Marcus, Nissen Mangel and Eliyahu Touger, #2 translated by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 17

“Psalm 27:11- Lord, teach me Your way and lead me in the path of righteousness, because of my watchful enemies. (#1)” If only the path was clear like the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz. In fact there is much that is not evident. I am realizing there are many people with pain from their past and we may not know it at first. So God please teach me to listen with a compassionate ear and to speak with a compassionate tongue. “Psalm 27:11- Please teach me Your way. Teach me Your way and guide me on the straight path.(#2)”

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 17 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 2 weeks, and 3 days, Tiferet Sheb’ Tiferet.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/Psalm 27 #1 translated by Y.B. Marcus, Nissen Mangel and Eliyahu Touger, #2 translated by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)

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BUILDING THE REALM-Day 16

“Psalm 27:12-Do not give me over to the will of my oppressors, for there have risen against me false witnesses, and they speak evil. (#1)” Yes there will be those who are not kind, who actively say something negative about us. Who will not love us. Should we show these oppressors our compassion? To our family, friends, to those in need of course but these? I am not sure. “Psalm 27:12-Discourage those who defame me Because false witnesses stood up against me belching out violence. Don't let me become the victim of my foes.(#2)”

RIBBONO SHEL OLAM: I hereby prepare myself for Sefirat HaBinyan / a counting for building God’s realm during the time between Tisha B’av and erev Rosh HaShannah.

Today there are 16 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is 2 weeks, and 2 days, Gevurah Sheb’ Tiferet.

Dear God: Please let me be a vessel for Your light and help to align me with Your will. May this period of Sefirat HaBinyan and the New Year be for good, for peace and for blessing for all of Israel, for all inhabitants of the earth and let us say Amen.

(Day kavanah by Menuhah Peters/Psalm 27 #1 translated by Y.B. Marcus, Nissen Mangel and Eliyahu Touger, #2 translated by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi/prayer by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi & Gabbi Seth Fishman)