WEEK 5 ― HOD ― HUMILITY Lag B’Omer bonfire During the fifth week of counting the Omer, we examine and refine the emotional attribute of Hod or humility. Humility ― and the resulting yielding ― should not be confused with weakness and lack of self-esteem. Hod or humility is modesty ― it is acknowledgment (from the root of the Hebrew…
Sefirat Ha’omer: WEEK 4 ― NETZACH ― ENDURANCE During the fourth week of counting the Omer, we examine and refine the emotional attribute of endurance known as Netzach. Netzach means endurance, fortitude and ambition and is a combination of determination and tenacity. It is a balance of patience, persistence and guts. Endurance is also being reliable and accountable, which establishes…
Welcoming the Shechinah Kiddush Levana or Blessing of the Moon (Birkat HaLevana) is seemingly small rabbinical mitzvah based on Talmud Sanhedrin: Rabbi Yohanan is quoted in the Gemara Sanhedrin 42a saying: “One who makes the blessing for the new moon in its proper time is considered as if he welcomed the ” Gemara is drawing a parallel between the physical moon…
WEEK 2 ― GEVURAH: JUSTICE, DISCIPLINE, RESTRAINT, AWE. The PDF version of the complete guide, all 49 days, can be found here. After the miraculous Exodus from Egypt, the Jewish people spent 49 days preparing for the most awesome experience in human history ― the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Just as the Jewish peoples’ redemption from Egypt…
The most well-known and helpful companion for counting the Omer is Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s guide. Guide to Personal Freedom has been published for many years and has been very helpful for me personally in making my Omer days count. This year (2015/5775) and the next (2016/5776), we have an amazing opportunity for super-charged days of Omer: When Pesach co-insides with…
Eating in Holiness: Pesach is the best time for correcting our eating. It is Pesach time and it is necessary to review the aspects of Eating b’Kedusha, Eating in Holiness. As Rav Tzadok HaKohen reveals (see the “Secret of Eating at the Seder” ), the main tikkun person can make for his lack of kedusha of eating during the whole year…
Do we indeed leave Egypt this year or we just adorn our personal Mitzraim with a pretty Pesach theme? The picture here is the unfortunate symbol of many Seders that might be conducted this year… Kosher-style, mehadrim min mehadrim, comfortably staying in personal bondage… Untouched pyramids of slavery coated with matza… or we can really make a difference in our lives……
Pesah Week Meditations Translated and compiled by Rav Rahmiel Drizin: Alef”Taf ; — The day of the week on which the first day (Alef) of Pesah takes place will also be the day of the week when Tisha Be’Av occurs. “With matzot and merorim (bitter articles) they should eat it” connects the matzoh of Pesah to Tisha Be’Av, a day…
The new month of Nissan begins this Tuesday, April 5th, and with it our tradition to bless fruit trees in bloom.
This is Shavuot Learning Compilation
by HaRav Rahmiel Hayyim Drizin:
Rosh Hodesh is an active opportunity to use the flow of energy that is descending at that time into the physical world. On Rosh Chodesh the surge of energy that is creating the reality of the upcoming month is available to us – and the way to receive it is to be joyous!
One needs to get on the right level of consciousness to understand the Sod – the secret – fourth deepest level of Torah.
Mezuzah is an energy creature with two-way connection to the area (room or house) that it is protecting – it infuses the area with energy of holiness and it takes a hit from the negativity that is happening in that room (house).