Congregation Beth Mordecai
Congregation Beth Mordecai
An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
Your Jewish Home for the Soul!
An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
Your Jewish Home for the Soul!
May 23, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 38 -- תפארת שביסוד (Harmony within Foundation) The s’firot of Tiferet (Harmony) and Y’sod (Foundation) are located along the vertical path in the lower center of our bodies; this keeps us centered, erect, and balanced. It reflects a basis for actions within us, keeping us upright, prepared for appropriate response. By connecting the heart and the center of sexuality, this pairing also suggests that our sexual actions and feelings must be ethical and harmonious. Tiferet sheb’Y’sod reminds us to conduct the sexual aspects of our lives with integrity and impeccability (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p. 188).
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : balance foundation harmony omer online learning tiferet y'sod yesod יסוד תפארת
May 22, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 37 -- גבורה שביסוד (Strength/Discernment within Foundation) Building a firm foundation requires strength, whether it is a building or a personal relationship, a community or a spiritual practice. This kind of strength is not just muscle power. The difference between a long lasting rock wall and a pile of rubble is in the accurate selection and placement of stones and meticulous application of mortar. This is also true in our lives; using careful discernment we can build the foundation for a long lasting marriage, a robust congregation, or a sturdy organization (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.184).
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : discernment foundation g'vura g'vurah gevura gevurah omer online learning strength y'sod yesod גבורה יסוד
May 21, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 36 -- חסד שביסוד (Lovingkindness within Foundation) In honor of Uncle Mark Einhorn, z"l
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : chesed foundation hesed lovingkindness mark einhorn omer online learning y'sod yesod חסד יסוד
May 20, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 35 -- מלכות/שכינה שבהוד (Indwelling Presence within Splendor) The s’firah of Malkhut/Sh’khinah acknowledges that the best kind of sovereignty, the noblest stewardship, arises from recognizing the Divine Presence within all creation. As this s’firah influences Hod, we recognize holiness within ll life’s complexity, and see each minuscule part as part of a larger harmonious whole. We are just a small part of this undivided totality, remaining alive only because each breath of life is a personal gift (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.174).
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : counting the omer God Indwelling Presence online learning splendor הוד מלכות שכינה
May 19, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 34 -- יסוד שבהוד (Foundation within Splendor)
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : foundation hod omer online learning y'sod yesod הוד יסוד
May 18, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 33 (Lag Ba-Omer!) -- הוד שבהוד (Splendor within Splendor) Hod sheb’Hod asks us to recognize the myriad splendors of the world around us…the splendor within the splendor. In his book Lights of Holiness, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook says: “The whole is constituted of numberless particulars, particular individuals and particular communities. The whole cannot achieve its highest fulfillment except through the perfection of its particular individuals, and the particular communities, whether large or small, of which it is constituted.” Hod sheb’Hod mirrors the splendor of creation, the unfolding mystery of electrons within atoms within molecules within chemicals within cells within heart muscles. We wonder at the mystery of why planes fly and whether dogs have a sense of humor. we speculate about the nature of fire, the miracles of[...]
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : hod omer online learning splendor הוד
May 16, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
"Picture yourself sitting in a warm room, looking out at a spectacular snowfall. As the flakes land on the window in front of you, imagine they are moving in time to their own rhythm, a choreographed sprinkling of light and ice, dancing to the musical score of that particular storm. Each individual snowflake is unique, a variation on a symmetrical structure of simple chemical composition of oxygen and hydrogen: H2O. Yet it is the multitude of individual small bits of beauty that are necessary to produce overall splendor. This is one way to think of how Tiferet operates within Hod" (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p. 160). For other days of the Omer, Omer Online Learning
May 15, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
“Maturity and acceptance are connected with the theme of this thirtieth day of the Omer, G’vurah sheb’Hod. We use discernment to understand and accept how the world really works, the underlying configuration of the universe. We assess our options when evaluating alternatives from among many choices. Informed choice is important whether we are choosing a career or ordering off a comprehensive menu at the kosher deli. In each case, whether momentous or minor, we appreciate the opportunity we have to choose from many splendid options. As spiritual seekers, we may be attracted to a variety of spiritual paths and practices throughout our lives. We may find a certain text full of answers at one life stage when, earlier, it seemed obscure or[...]
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : discernment g'vurah gevurah hod omer online learning splendor strength גבורה הוד
May 14, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
"Hesed sheb’Hod magnifies details of love. In her famous poem, Elizabeth Barrett Browning asks: “How do I love Thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.” God’s lovingkindness is evident in the myriad blessings in our lives. We pay attention to the intimate details of blessing’s flow today: the pulse inout veins, a child’s giggles, the changing light of a flickering Havdalah candle, the wings of a butterfly in the sunlight, distinctive spices in a tasty meal, subtle variations in our lovers’ glances or the differing pitches in the sound of a babbling stream" (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p154). For other days of the Omer, Omer Online Learning Tag : chesed hesed hod lovingkindness omer online learning splendor הוד חסד
May 13, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 28 -- מלכות/שכינה שבנצח: Indwelling Presence within Endurance Midrash Exodus Rabbah states: Tehre is no place where the Divine Presence is not.” Traditional prayer echoes this idea: “The whole world is filled with God’s glory.” To some people, God is always present and always available. Others wait in anticipation, as the Song of Songs says: Kol Dodi Hinei Zeh Bah (The voice of my Beloved, here it comes). Perhaps these are really the same idea, as Divine Energy is constant and yet always arriving (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.146).
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : endurance God Indwelling Presence malkhut netzach netzah omer online learning shekhinah victory מלכות נצח שכינה