Pillars of the Temple, 26 Days Omer 5782

May 11

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Today is twenty-six days, which is three weeks and five days, of the Omer in the year 5782. הוד שבנצח, Hod ShebeNetzach, Splendor Within Endurance. These two emanations are connected to the legs of a person, and the pillars of the Temple. They hold up our ability to reach towards the Divine: Endurance / Will and Splendor. Both are connected to prophecy. What defines your life? Aside from responsibilities, what brings meaning to your life? How do you judge your journeys?

Choosing a Life of Virtue

I've often said that virtues sounded goyish to me the first time I heard them. The only reference point I had was horror movies which connected them to the seven deadly sins.

In reality, virtues have an intrinsically Jewish key. Early rabbinic thinkers spoke about Yetzer HaTov, the inclination towards goodness; and its counterpoint, the Yetzer HaRa, the inclination towards destructiveness. At all times, we have both inclinations within us. In every moment, we have the opportunity to choose which path to take. God is our shepherd because She guides us towards a life of Goodness. She provides spiritual sustenance, regardless of what is happening in material reality. When we denounce the dark side, the Force pulls us into harmony with the world.

Place Higher Ideals Before Me

There is a Jewish practice of hanging a Shiviti on the wall. It begins with Psalm 16:8 "I place HaShem before me always." It draws the viewer into a meditative practice, realigning with one's core understanding of the Ground of Being. What guides your journey? How do you connect with God? What questions do you need to sort through to have a personal relationship with the unknowable Oneness beyond all human understanding?

I choose 49 days of meditating into the sefirot because it constantly draws me back towards the virtues that I want to guide my life. I am far from perfect. Yet, I choose to place HaShem before me always. And that is enough.