character – The Tree of Life

Omer Count: Day 29 chesed shebbe hod

Kindness may serve as a key ingredient of humility. An act of kindness has the potential to reveal our humility for the sake of others. When we condescend to others in a genuine way, lowering ourselves to their level, we humble ourselves in order to help.

When we humble ourselves before G-d, downplaying our “plusses,” and acknowledging our “minuses,” we place ourselves in a position to better appreciate others, by not seeing ourselves as better than them. Our inherent sameness with others becomes apparent, when we level the playing field and view others as part of the team. It is especially easier to be kind to those whom we feel a common connection with.

Recognizing our own humanity, reflected in the eyes of others, may help us to bridge the gap with personal acts of kindness.

Omer Count: Day 12

hod shebbe gevurah (humility within strength)

The more that we may try to act as an independent entity, without keeping G-d in mind, the less efficacy we will have in our own endeavors. Even if G-d permits us to go our own way, the result will not be sanctioned by him, unless we realize through our misguided efforts, that something is amiss. By leaving G-d out of the equation in our lives, nothing will add up.

Only through His splendor can we act in all humility, in recognition of His greater glory.

Omer: Day 29 Chesed shebbe Hod

Love (kindness) within Splendor (humility)

The role of kindness within the quality of humility. How does kindness influence the potential for humility? Kindness may serve as a key ingredient of humility. Otherwise, kindness may actually be a result of the quality of humility. To humble ourselves before G-d, and others, downplaying our “plusses,” and acknowledging our “minuses,” places us in a position to better appreciate others, by not seeing ourselves as better than them.

Therefore, kindness may be a consequence of recognizing our inherent sameness with others. It is easier to be kind to those whom we feel a common connection. Recognizing our own humanity, reflected in the eyes of others, may help us to bridge the gap with personal acts of kindness.

note: The counting of the Omer serves as a spiritual journey. We are called upon to leave our own personal limitations behind us, as we travel on the path of freedom, away from the influence of negativity in our lives. This is a forty-nine day journey, a self improvement plan, between Passover and Shavuot. Each of the seven weeks corresponds to one of the seven middos (character traits) that we will have the opportunity to improve upon in our lives.

My personal reflections on each day’s combination of middot are not meant to be comprehensive; they are not based upon any one particular system. Nor, may my insights be characterized as authoritative, because I am a student, not a teacher. I simply hope to inspire others to delve into an exploration of their own personality, for the sake of tikkun hanefesh (rectification of the soul).

Omer Day 12 – Something Greater

hod shebbe gevurah (humility within strength) Tuesday April 18, 2023

The humility of discipline, requires an acknowledgment of something greater than ourselves, so that we do not misuse our sense of power. There is only one authority in the world that is not of this world: the authority from Above. All other authorities must submit to Him. The more that we may try to act as an independent entity, without keeping G-d in mind, the less efficacy we will have in our own endeavors. Even if G-d permits us to go our own way, the result will not be sanctioned by him, unless we realize through our misguided efforts, that something is amiss. By leaving G-d out of the equation in our lives, nothing will add up; only through His splendor can we act in all humility, in recognition of His greater glory.

Omer Count: Day 4 – The Endurance of Love

netzach shebbe chesed (endurance within love)

The emotional attribute of Netzach (Endurance) translates as well into perseverance, resilience, and forbearance. A commitment to the other is necessary in any relationship of a personal nature. That bond to the other needs to be sustained through forbearance of the other’s faults. A strong emotional tie is not enough unless the commitment to be loving also incorporates the tenacity to endure the challenges between two people in a relationship.

Therefore, love without a common acceptance of the necessary grit of commitment, may not in and of itself result in being enduring. For a love to endure, the endurance of both parties is tantamount to promote a lasting endeavor. Through the persistence of kindness to the other, love will endure, as well as the relationship itself. By way of strengthening one’s endurance through netzach, victory over the challenges that daily present themselves will be achieved.

In terms of a relationship with G-d, His expectations are made clear within the framework of His commandments. Therefore, our commitment to Him is not only out of love; rather, also out of a reverence towards Him that includes observing His commandments even when challenging to do so, for this reason or the other reason. Moreover, a certain measure of resilience is necessary, in order to recover from any downfalls in observance. Tenacity will prevail, even on the more challenging days of life. Therefore, we can continue to show love towards Him by fulfilling His commandments, despite the barriers that might appear, in attempting to enact a mitzvah (good deed).

note: These are my personal reflections on the implications of today’s combination of middot (character traits). These reflections are not meant to be comprehensive, inasmuch that they are not based upon any one particular system. Nor, may these ideas be characterized as authoritative, because I profess to being a student, not a teacher. I hope to inspire others to delve into an exploration of their personality, for the sake of tikkun hanefesh (rectification of the soul).

Transcendent Character

“You hath the L-RD taken and brought forth out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be unto Him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.” – Deuteronomy 4:20, JPS

The refiner’s fire, where Joseph was tested (Psalm 105), before being elevated to the status of viceroy of Egypt, melted his ego, pride, and vanity, and brought him forth mature enough to be responsible for a country. His brethren were also brought down to Egypt, and after being refined, “brought forth out of the furnace (see above).

Everyone is tested in alignment with his or her character, namely, to bring out the good, while separating what shines from the dross. This is life, as intended by the guiding hand of H’Shem unto each individual and their needs, for the sake of refining their character. Eventually, the soul gleams, after passing the tests given.

“And Moses said unto the people: ‘Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the L-RD brought you out from this place; there shall no leavened bread be eaten.” – Exodus 13:3, JPS

The question remains, to what extent were the character traits of B’nei Yisrael refined in Egypt, when they were slaves, if the next 49 days after obtaining their freedom constituted the refining of character that we still seek for ourselves, during the days of counting the omer?

Perhaps, the Israelites needed to be subjected to the rigours of servitude, to understand the difference between serving Pharaoh as a result of being forcibly compelled to do so, and serving H’Shem out of their own free will.

The same can be said of the world, in regard to its hold on those who remain in bondage to it through gashmiyos (materialism). Yet, Torah frees us from bondage to the world. By choosing to serve H’Shem, we are able to transcend the world through ruchniyos (spirituality).

Blessing of Preservation

1^st Aliyah parasha Vayechi

5783 – blessing of preservation

Both Manasseh and Ephraim both grew up in the royal household of Egypt. Yaakov, their grandfather, who is partially blind, asks who they are, when Jospeh brings them to him. On a deeper leve, his question may be construed as an inquiry into their character. Are their moral concomitant with the legacy of Abraham? Have they remained in their integrity as the sons of the righteous Joseph, who surely instructed them properly. Despite the surrounding idolatrous environment, are there adherents to the belief in the G-d of Israel? The answer to all of the above is yes, inasmuch that Yaakov’s blessing was for the sake of preservation, that they continue on the derech.

This blessing is performed every Friday evening when parents bless their sons. Implicitly, this blessing is meant to be a safeguard against undue influence from the less than ideal mores of society that are opposed to living a righteous life. Something we all face, in terms of this type of influence, the moreso, depending upon how much interaction we have with outside influences.

Peer pressure, while growing up, especially for those of us who have grown up in the secular world; and, other types of pressure today as adults at work, in social spheres, and at the hands of the misguided social justice warriors who use intimidation and condemnation as their means to compel or cancel others, who do not follow the narrative norm. Yet, Israel is a nation set apart from the nations.

Omer: Day 29 The Kindness Bridge

Chesed shebbe Hod: Love within Splendor

Otherwise rendered as kindness within humility.

The role of chesed (kindness) within the quality of humility. How does kindness influence the potential for humility? Kindness seems like a key ingredient of humility. Yet, kindness may actually be a result of the quality of humility. To humble ourselves before G-d, and others, downplaying our plusses, and acknowledging our minuses, places us in a position to better appreciate others, by not seeing ourselves as better than them. Therefore, kindness may be a consequence of recognizing our inherent sameness with others. It is easier to be kind to those whom we feel a common connection. Recognizing our own humanity, reflected in the eyes of others, may help us to bridge the gap with personal acts of kindness.

Omer Day 12 – Something Greater

hod shebbe gevurah (humility within strength)

The humility of discipline, requires an acknowledgment of something greater than ourselves, so that we do not misuse our sense of power. There is only one authority in the world that is not of this world: the authority from Above. All other authorities must submit to Him. The more that we may try to act as an independent entity, without keeping G-d in mind, the less efficacy we will have in our endeavors. Even if G-d permits us to go our own way, the result will not be sanctioned by him, unless we realize through our misguided efforts, that something is amiss. By leaving G-d out of the equation in our lives, nothing will add up; only through His splendor can we act in all humility, in recognition of His greater glory.

Omer Count: Day 4 – The Endurance of Love

netzach shebbe chesed (endurance within love)
The emotional attribute of Netzach (Endurance) translates as well into perseverance, resilience, and forbearance. A commitment to the other is necessary in any relationship of a personal nature. That bond to the other needs to be sustained through forbearance of the other’s faults. A strong emotional tie is not enough unless the commitment to be loving also incorporates the tenacity to endure the challenges between two people in a relationship.