Count for this day in the evening of the date listed above.
Counting the Omer begins the second night of Passover, which is April 9, 2020. The last night of counting is May 27, 2020.
You can learn more about the history and practice of counting the Omer here.
day 3: qualities of focus
The first week of the Omer is focused on loving-kindness (chesed).
The third day of the week is focused on beauty and balance (tiferet).
Today is focused on beauty and balance, enfolded in loving-kindness.
the blessing for counting the Omer
It’s traditional to say a blessing each evening, followed by reciting which day of which week it is in the Omer journey. Here’s the blessing, in English, feminized Hebrew, and the traditional masculine Hebrew. Use whichever Hebrew and/or English versions work for you!
English version of the blessing
Blessed are you, Eternal One-ness, Source and Breath of All Life, that has made us holy with your mitzvot, and compels us to count the Omer.
If you prefer feminine God language in Hebrew:
בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ יָהּ אֱלֹהֵינוּ רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בִּמְצַוְּתָהּ וְצִוָּנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹמֶר
B’rukhah at Yah Eloheynu khay ha’olamim asher kideshatnu bemitzvoteha vetzivatnu al sefirat ha’omer.
If you prefer masculine God language, or just like the traditional way of saying the blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹמֶר
Baruch ata adonai, eloheynu melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu al sefirat ha-omer.
today is…
Each morning, I’ll post the blessing, and which day of the Omer is being counted next (after sunset that day.)
Here’s today’s count, in Hebrew (transliterated), and English.
“Ha-yom shloshah yamim la-omer.“
“Today is the third day of the Omer.”
Let me know if you have any questions. I’ve never done this before via blog post, and need your help to make sure everything works!
prefer Hebrew script?
If you prefer to read the blessing in Hebrew, check out this app.
Or look in your favorite siddur (prayer book). It can often be found at the end of the evening service.
today’s poetic meditation
I’m posting a poetic meditation for each day to enhance the journey. Each meditation is focused on the kabbalistic qualities (sefirot) associated with the day.
Some people like to read the meditations when they say the blessing at night. Others like to contemplate them in the morning to provide spiritual nourishment for the day’s activities.
Experiment, and see what works for you!
tiferet b’chesed: balance within loving-kindness
Sometimes we are
blessed with balance.
Sometimes we can
create that blessing
by pouring sorrow,
regret, pain, and loss
into a loving container
of transformation,
to then be poured back
out into our lives.
When we are hurt or angry
it can be difficult
to hold others lovingly,
to see the container
that can hold our love.
This may be a
private matter,
or communal.
Either way,
courage, and
emotional alchemy
are required.
The container must be
strong enough,
large enough,
steady enough
to safely hold
volatility.
Notice what you need.
The tone of discussion,
the physical setting,
the emotional milieu,
the people supporting you,
the opening of your own heart.
Imagine pouring in
all your love,
and a willing partner
pouring theirs in
as well.
Let it wash over you,
carry you,
through this
3rd gate of the Omer.
Prefer to hold a book in your hand?
You might be interested in Rabbi Shifrah’s collection of poetic meditations, Omer/Teshuvah: 49 Poetic Meditations for Counting the Omer or Turning Toward a New Year. To get your copy, email rabbishifrah@gmail.com .
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