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.
*******
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)
*******
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)
*******
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)
*******
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)
*******
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)
*******
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)
*******
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)
*******
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)
