Eight Days of the Omer 5777

Today is eight days, which is one week and one day of theOmer, Chesed of Gevurah, Love in Discipline.

The aspectof discipline I am least likely to exhibit. My steadfast belief in rules,order, and fairness have often led me to anger and vitriol. May I alwaysremember that the pure essence of discipline is love. Having a clear-eyedvision of the virtues which should guide our interactions requiresunderstanding the true freedom of a life aligned to higher values can never befully attained. As Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Lialdi teaches in the Tanya, we areall benonim, intermediate ones - neither fully righteous nor fully wicked. As abenoni, I must always honor the sacred essence of others and judge behaviorwith love for my sisters and brothers. We are all flawed souls on the journeyto freedom.

I struggle with these truths, and so my words aremarginally coherent. I dedicate this day to deepening my ability to disciplinemy children with love, helping them discover their whole brains, and theirinnate ability to walk gently and true.