Count the Omer-Week 5-/Hod (SPLENDOR)-Day 1/Chesed (LOVE)

Praying in the Islamic Cultural Center.

Week 5-/Hod (SPLENDOR)-Day 1/Chesed (LOVE)

"My actions are my only true belongings."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Today was one of those days where each moment slides into the next and every moment is a wonderful one, harmonious. I think it is at those moments where we need to make sure to stop and reflect, to pray, to love, to be grateful. The weather was nice, synagogue service especially sweet with compliments, gifts and a celebration of two young girls conversion. Then a walk with a friend to embassies with beautiful dancing and costumes. A perfect ending in the Islamic Cultural Center. My Indian scarf became my Islamic head cover. I sat down on the carpet and silently thanked the Creator.

After nightfall on Saturday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-nine days which is four weeks and one day of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 7/Malchut (KINGDOM)

The Rimonim class buys more boxes of cereal to count the omer.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 7/Malchut (KINGDOM)

"Jesus said 'If those who lead you say to you, 'Look, the Kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will get there first. If they say, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will get there first. Rather, the Kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the children of the living Father. But if you will not know yourselves, then you dwell in poverty, and it is you who are that poverty'."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

The sephira of Malchut is said to come not from God directly but from God's creation. My children fall into that category. Today my young charges walked with me to a store to buy more boxes of cereal for counting the omer. I was happy to help them work to perform this mitzvah. For myself I gave a different challenge. I considered going to Baltimore as part of Jews United For Justice who were joining other activists to march for Justice for Freddie Gray. I didn't get past inquiring. I wished someone could take me by the hand like I did for my class. I get it. I am an adult. So next time I will need to work harder.

After nightfall on Friday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-eight days which is four weeks of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 6/Yesod (FOUNDATION)

Part of a bookcase in the home where the shiva minyan was.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 6/Yesod (FOUNDATION)

"Next time when you sit close to a dying person, you might like to practice this same way. You are there, present one hundred percent, with stability, solidity, and peace. This is very important. You are the support of that dying person, and he or she needs very much your stability, your peace. To accompany a dying person, you need to be your best-don't wait until that moment to practice. You practice in your daily life to cultivate your peace, your solidity."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Another shiva minyan but for a different friend whose father died. Once more  I received a personal invitation to be part of the minyan and asked to lead a niggun to honor the fallen father. As I davened (prayed) I ran some niggunim through my head searching for something that would add to the moment. Then I noticed a jar on the shelf with the label "Daddy and me". The man we were mourning was 96yrs old when he died and his daughter said he did not want to leave this world. Sigh. Death and life are so closely bound together.

After nightfall on Thursday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-seven days which is three weeks and six days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 5/Hod (SPLENDOR)

Laying on the grass in the meadow enjoying the sun.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 5/Hod (SPLENDOR)

"The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Yesterday I was taking the class out to enjoy a beautiful meadow when an accident happened and we had to change plans. Not to be detoured we decided to try again today. Everything went off without a hitch. We had a lovely walk, lay on the grass, played and rolled down a hill. The sun warmed the earth and the meadow was filled with the sounds of happy children. All we had to do was see what was there and take advantage. Don't look away lest you miss the splendor that awaits. 

After nightfall on Wednesday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-six days which is three weeks and five days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 4/Netzach (ENDURANCE)

Standing on the bridge watching the river pass.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 4/Netzach (ENDURANCE)

"When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffered deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Standing on the bridge watching the river flow by beneath me. This is the way it is supposed to work. The water is always beneath me while at the same time moving forward. In civil rights matter there should be only one way to go. So why does it feel like we have stopped moving or are going backwards? The rage and anger comes from suffering and feeling there is no hope. The constant will be the reaching out of our hands and of hearts.

After nightfall on Tuesday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-five days which is three weeks and four days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 3/Tiferet (COMPASSION)

My friend Rex waits to listen instead of waiting to talk.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 3/Tiferet (COMPASSION)

"When we listen to someone with the intention of helping that person suffer less, this is deep listening. When we listen with compassion, we don't get caught in judgment. A judgment may form but we don't hold on to it. Deep listening has the power to help us create a moment of joy, a moment of happiness, and to help us handle a painful emotion."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

So many painful events close and far. My compassion for each is attached to a desire to fix it if possible. I can help be part of a minyan that is close by but do little other than write a check for an earthquake in Nepal. This evening watching protests in Baltimore for  recent police injustice against African-Americans makes me feel I should do even more. Let me do deep listening with myself and not judge so quickly. There will always be more work to do but if I don't get caught up in what I can't do but what I can do that's a start.

After nightfall on Monday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-four days which is three weeks and three days of the Omer.

Count the Omer-Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 2/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)

The sign on the door of the house of mourning.

Week 4-/Netzach (ENDURANCE)-Day 2/Gevurah (DISCIPLINE)

"I promise myself that I will enjoy every minute of the day that is given me
 to live."

-Thich Nhat Hanh-

Early morning shiva prayer minyan in the house of a friend. Happy to be part of a supportive community. After praying my friend spoke from the heart, words about how helpful the Jewish mourning rituals have been. This is one way but what works will endure no matter whose group it is. There are times to be alone and there are times when we need each other. Hard to hear about listening to the last breathe. We support but it is impossible to stand in these shoes. I sit and listen, listen, listen. And then listen some more.

After nightfall on Sunday:

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM 

ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Today is twenty-three days which is three weeks and two days of the Omer.