Forty-three days of the Omer 5777

Today is forty-three days, which is six weeks and one day,of the Omer. Chesed of Shechinah, Grace / Lovingkindess / Pure Love within theIndwelling of the Divine.

I'll be honest - I counted the Omer last night (accordingto Jewish law, a day starts at sunset and the only way to say a blessing whencounting the Omer is to count at night). And yet, I'm still finding itdifficult to meditate for myself, let alone publicly, into this sephira.Nothing to do with the day / topic - everything to do with the sinus infectionI've been pretending didn't exist while I prepared for my finals.

One thing I know for sure -- I need to spend more timereflecting on the inner light within, the pure grace that sparks that light,and how I can be a better vessel for the sovereignty of grace and love.

Mychildren, my partner, the people I pass on the street -- no one deserves tobear the brunt of my sickness. It is so hard to act from grace when you're sickand your sleep is interrupted three times by a teething child. And yet, it isessential that I not let circumstances override my will to goodness.

I alsorecognize that I'm human and I'm never going to be perfect. This process, ofdiscovering the eternal truths described by the sephirot, provides insight intothe human condition. I am grateful for this roadmap, reminding me that thejourney never ends. L'chaim! To life!

(Did you know that Chai -- that ubiquitious Jewish word often found on necklaces -- means "living," not "life"? It is actually a modern amulet, warding off the evil eye / evil spirits and attaching the soul of the wearer to goodness. Though clearly, many people wear it as a simple sign of association with Judaism without knowledge of the spiritual implications of the word.)