An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
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April 20, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
"Imagine standing at the shore of the ocean, watching the waves move in, following each other with continuous motion, each wave almost identical, yet each subtly unique. A long successful relationship is like that, moments following moments, creating memories through multiple acts of caring, enduring, love, Netzah she b’Hesed. It is fascinating to recall that actions to advance social justice are called movements. Effective movements succeed through the combination of endurance and compassionate action" (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.51)" This day's counting was counted during Friday night's service on April 18th, 2014For other days of the Omer, please click here
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : chesed endurance hesed lovingkindness netzach netzah ocean omer online learning s'firat ha-omer sefirat ha-omer waves חסד נצח
April 18, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
"Knowing the right amount of love to give can be like the story of Goldilocks and the three bears. Sometimes we give open hearted love and can feel overwhelmed, sometimes we give "tough love" and can feel callous, but when we have the right balance of opening our heart out of love and creating boundaries out of love, then our love can feel just right (ORIGINAL)" For other days of the Omer, please click here
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : balance beauty chesed chessed counting glory goldilocks and the three bears hesed just right love lovingkindness omer online learning sefirat ha-omer tiferet חסד תפארת
April 17, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
(4/17/14) Human beings love to count. Whether we are counting sheep in our sleep or attendees at services, there is something built into our DNA that enjoys the act of counting. It soothes us and it gives us a sense of accomplishment, especially when we reach a desired number at the end of our counting. Yet, Judaism teaches us that while counting is an inevitable part of life, we must also be wary of the dangers of putting too much stock in numbers. As the Magen Avraham, a 17th century Polish commentator on the Shulkhan Arukh, writes in one of his long comments on Orah Hayyim (156:2), it is forbidden to count Jews: אסור למנות ישראל אפילו אינו מכוון למנות רק להטיל גורל אפילו[...]
Category : Omer Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Tag : 1 Samuel 11:8 1 Samuel 15:4 counting counting Jews Judges 1:5 magen avraham minyan omer passover rabbi rabbi's journal shavuot spiritual journey Yoma
By bethmordecai no comments.
"Just as too much water can drown a plant, and too little can parch it, the precise irrigation that an observant gardener provides can nurture strong plants without wasting water. Similarly, Gevurah, careful discernment, can fine-tune the flow of Hesed, aiming it for clarity, shape, and effectiveness. Hesed alone would be like drowning in spiritual chicken soup. Instead, the soup needs to be carefully ladled out, into manageable portions (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.42)" For other days of the Omer, please click here
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : borders boundaries burn out chesed direction discernment flow gardener gevurah hesed love lovingkindness online learning strength water גבורה חסד
April 16, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Today, Hesed Sheb'Hesed, is like an overflowing fountain of lovingkindness. Like a stream of water slowly dissolves hard rock, the flow of love slowly transforms obstacles into warm sands of acceptance (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.39) // Post by Congregation Beth Mordecai. For other days of the Omer, please click here
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : chesed Clare Bennett David Bennett Dorothy August flow fountain hesed homes Ila Miller omer online learning Patrick Miller pure Sandra Levine חסד