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!
April 28, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 13 -- יסוד שבגבורה (Foundation within Discernment/Strength)
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : omer online learning
By bethmordecai no comments.
"Today we focus on the diversity in our lives, and those times when we thought of that variety as confusing or bewildering. Remember a time when you visited a city for the first time, anticipating with delight the sights and sounds that brought you there, but instead, realized that you were lost and perplexed. Strange customs, odd street layouts, unusual odors and unfamiliar language can disorient us. We want familiar patters to help us understand a place, so we can be more omfortable. Information in the form of a map or a phrasebook helps us recognize te patters within the apparent chaos. Splendid variety is wonderful as long as we discern the underlying patterns"(Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic[...]
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : bangkok g'vura g'vurah gevura gevurah hod home omer online learning smog splendor strange city thailand גבורה הוד
April 24, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
"Every morning, traditional Jews don t’fillin (phylacteries; small boxes containing verses from the Bible). One box is placed on the head; the other bound to the upper arm with long leather straps. After the appropriate blessings are recited, the t’fillin are left on throughout the weekday morning prayer service. Wearing t’fillin represents the energy of G’vurah she b’G’vurah. T’fillin binds the wearer in a strong connection, constraining distractions and directing thoughts toward God. T’fillin are external reminders of our inner choices of restraint" (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.75). For other days of the Omer, please click here
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : bar and bat mitzvah constraint discernment g'vurah gevura gevurah omer online learning physical restraint strength t'fillin tefillin wrap גבורה תפילין
By bethmordecai no comments.
"By discerning and restraining our impulses we can more deeply understand the deep flow of love within them. Each time we stop ourselves from impulsive behavior in realization that such behavior could harm someone we love, we are acting from lovingkindness within discernment. Those choices can sweeten our appreciation of our choices" (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide p.71). For other days of the Omer, please click here
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : chesed control discernment g'vurah gevurah hesed impulse love omer online learning restraint strength גבורה חסד
April 22, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
"Yesod is the sephira of foundation, and also of reproductive energy, of sexual energy. Yesod within Hesed brings awareness of the future, the generative energy of continuity, within lovingkindness. The foundation of the future is built on the creative continuity of the past. Jewish tradition teaches us that each generation stands on the shoulders of the last. Thus we are able to see further into the future by standing on a firm foundation. Today we remember that this entire pyramid of generations is upported by story, memory, and love. Without the founation, the pyramid, like a tower of cheerleaders, can tumble. The parade of generations is like a caravan over time, where precious cargo is guarded and passed on at each[...]
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : foundation generations love lovingkindness omer online learning past stories חסד יסוד
April 20, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
“Splendor can be envisioned as a brilliant varied display, whether of insights, objects or beings. Lovingkindness and compassion also appear ina splendid diversity of types and patterns. Hod sheb'Hesed can be experienced in the astonishing variety of ways Divine care is manifested in the world" (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.54).For other days of the Omer, please click here
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : care chesed diversity God hesed hod love lovingkindness manifestation omer online learning splendor הוד חסד
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
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