Day 49-43 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 ofChesed 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 49

I have spent the day of Tisha b’Av sitting in the roots of the tree, fasting, mourning the loss of the Temple, and that each of us holds in our own roots a piece of the baseless hatred the rabbis say caused the destruction. If I look up I know I will see the leaves in the top of the tree and celebrate but I won’t do it for the present. That time I know will come however this week will be spent mourning in the many ways one can mourn and this day I will look at the root of where all things begin.

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 49 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is  7 weeks, Malchut Sheb’Malchut.

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 48

Today marked the last shiva minyan for a friend whose father died. Unable to go I thought about my own father’s death. Mourning the loss of a parent, part of one’s foundation, is a unique thing. After my father died I saw myself as a member of a club; the dead parents club. I knew that unless you had experienced this pain you could not understand what had happened to me and the only ones I discussed it with were other “members”. Tonight I mourn anyone’s loss of such a relationship.

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 48 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is  6 weeks and 6 days, Yesod Sheb’Malchut.

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 47

Tonight I mourn those murdered for race, for politics, for opportunity, and for no reason at all. I did not know these people but their passing touches me. It could be Trayvon Martin. It could be the 500,000 people in the Indonesian killings of 1965-66, the subject of a recent documentary “The Act of Killing”. In the film I was Sickened at the murderers eagerness to retell their crimes. I was Outraged by how they continue to thrive. I was Humbled by the film maker's journey to justice.

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 47 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is  6 weeks and 5 days, Hod Sheb’Malchut.

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 46

The Jewish Shabbat is coming with the setting of the sun. On it one does not mourn but celebrate God’s holy day of rest. So before the candles are lit I will mourn the missed chances to become a parent, to become a wife. In every corner of my heart I grieve that “I love you mommy” and “I love you dearest” will never be mine, for eternity. The sadness will not consume me but it will be recognized, at least, for this second in time.

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 46 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is  6 weeks and 4 days, Netzach Sheb’Malchut.

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 45

In the midst of mourning comes "Shabbos Nachamu," the Sabbath of Consolation. in the midst of the Haftorah reading God tells the prophets to "console, console My nation". It is a prophecy that Jerusalem will one day be rebuilt. I will not wait to begin consoling myself. Today’s sefira of Tiferet or compassion calls me to make an allowance. In the cycle of darkness to light this little "Nachamu" (console) is the first word of the portion and the first light.

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 45 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is  6 weeks and 3 days, Tiferet Sheb’Malchut.

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 44

Not everyone realizes Moses did not get to go into the promised land of Israel. He disobeyed God and had to stand on the mountain only looking at the object of his desire, turning leadership over to Joshua. Tonight mourning the things we never get to complete because of our choices and lack of discipline. Who can say how this changes our life path.

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 44 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is  6 weeks and 2 days, Gevurah Sheb’Malchut.

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 43

Another day of consolation comes with the arrival of Tu b’Av, the 15^th of the Hebrew month of Av, a day of loving-kindness. In the Mishna Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel is alleged to say that on this day “…the daughters of Jerusalem go out dressed in white and dance in the vineyards. What they were saying: Young man, consider who you choose (to be your wife).” (Taanit 4:8). Today if “you can’t be with the one you love, then love the one you’re with.” For after all “love is all you need”.

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 43 days left until erev Rosh HaShannah, which is  6 weeks and 1 days, Chesed Sheb’Malchut.

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)