Countdown to Rosh HaShana: Day 38

day 38 of Omer HaTeshuvah begins the evening of August 11, 2020 (22 Av)

qualities of focus: Tiferet (Balance, Beauty) within Yesod (Connection, Foundation.)

the practice of Omer HaTeshuvah

Read, say, or chant any or all of the following:

This is Day 38 of Omer HaTeshuvah, of counting down the days as we turn towards Rosh HaShana.

Echad, yachid, u-m’yuchad. Echad, yachid, u-m’yuchad.

One, only One, all together One. (English from Reb Zalman Schachter Shalomi, z’l.)

One, every single One, each one joined and united with the One. (English source unknown.)

poetic meditations to help on your journey

Here are two poetic offerings to help with today’s journey.

The first is about the integration of apparent opposites, a gentle reminder that a new perspective can sometimes help us to envision new, and perhaps more harmonious, possibilities.

The second is offered as nourishment for the overall journey of Omer HaTeshuvah. It’s about Emet (Truth), and listening for what might be true for us in a given moment.

other practices you might try

1. Consider the questions, feelings or thoughts that arise as you read today’s meditation, and journal what comes up for you.
2. Chant the words “tiferet b’yesod” (Balance/Beauty/Harmony within Connection/Foundation). Use any melody or chanting modality that works for you.
3. Sit quietly and notice your breathing. As you consider the qualities associated with this day, notice what comes up in your body. Breathe into any areas that need attention, letting out unneeded tension as you exhale.
4. Stand, sit, walk, or look outside, and notice where you find a sense of Divine Presence.
5. You might also like to try using this kabbalistic verse about unity and unification. “L’shem yichud kudsha brichu u-shechinteh,l’shem yichud kudsha brichu u-shechinteh. For the sake of Holy Blessed One-ness, unifying with Shekhinah, Divine Presence in our lives.”
6. Invoke the name of God using the pronunciation of each Hebrew letter of the four-letter Name Y-H-V-H. It goes like this. “Yod-Hei-Vav-Hei, Yod-Hei-Vav-Hei, Yod-Hei-Vav-Hei, Yod-Hei-Vav-Hei.“

more about this day

Tiferet is about nurturing Beauty, Balance, and Harmony. Energetically, it involves a blending of two other sefirot, which are Chesed (Loving-Kindness) and Gevurah (Strength, Discipline, Healthy Boundaries.)

Yesod is an enduring connective energy and creative force. It is considered foundational, essential, for the ongoing flow of creation to continue.

Each sefirah (Divine aspect) that we explore in Omer HaTeshuvah contains within it all the others as well, and each is an aspect of God, of the Divine. These include Malkhut/Shekhina (Divine Presence), Yesod (Connection/Foundation), Hod (Splendor / Humility), Netzach (Endurance), Tiferet (Balance / Harmony /Beauty), Gevurah (Strength/ Discipline/Boundary), and Chesed (Loving Kindness).

The bottom line for today is this – consider how you can enhance beauty and balance in your life, in ways big or small. Consider this a prayer, a way of connecting to the Divine.

Make a donation

You may be receiving this post because you signed up for the class Omer HaTeshuvah: Turning Together towards a New Year. This program is being co-sponsored with Rapha: The Center for Healing and Spirituality. Please consider making a donation to support the work of Rapha and of Rabbi Shifrah.