day 40 of Omer HaTeshuvah begins the evening of August 9, 2020 (20 Av)
qualities of focus: Hod (Splendor, Humility) within Yesod (Connection, Foundation.)
the practice of Omer HaTeshuvah
Read, say, or chant any or all of the following:
This is Day 40 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 a meditation on nurturing a sense of gratitude, of feeling wrapped lovingly, tenderly, in God’s humbling splendor.
The second is one offered as nurturance for the overall journey of Omer HaTeshuvah. It’s about Emet (Truth), and uncovering what might be true for us in a given moment. It’s about our connection with Y-H-V-H, the Source and Force of Life.
other practices you might try
- Consider the questions, feelings or thoughts that arise as you read today’s meditation, and journal what comes up for you.
- Chant the words “hod b’yesod” (Splendor/Humility within Connection/Foundation). Use any melody or chanting modality that works for you.
- 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.
- Stand, sit, walk, or look outside, and notice where you find a sense of Divine Presence.
- 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.”
- 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
Hod is about noticing the splendor that humbles us, and of finding gratitude in that awareness.
Gratitude is a way of re-connecting to who and what we care about.
Yesod is a connective energy and creative force. It is considered foundational, essential, for the ongoing flow of creation to continue.
Each of the Kabbalistic qualities we explore in Omer HaTeshuvah is called a sefirah (plural sefirot). Each sefirah 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 – notice for what, or for whom, you’re grateful.
Consider how your gratitude connects you to Y-H-V-H, the Ongoing Unfolding of Be-ing. How it connects you to Life.
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.
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