COUNTING THE OMER – This prayer is traditionally recited between sundown and sunrise of each day.
Day 23: Gevurah she b’Netzach
The Blessing (Day 23):
Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha’olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al sephirat ha’omer.
Blessed are you, G-D, Source of Endurance, You make us holy through your mitzvot, commanding us to count the Omer.
Hayom shloshim v’esrim yom, shehem shlosha shavuot v’shnai Yinin l’Omer.
Today is the twenty-third day, which makes three weeks and two days of the Omer
Week Four – Netzach (Endurance, Perserverance, Continual Energy)
Day Twenty-three: Gevurah she b’Netzach (Discernment within Endurance) – LEFT SHOULDER to RIGHT HIP
Today we recognize how judgment and Discernment motivate Endurance. In times of danger, when survival completely depends on diligent choices, it is imperative to find a way to focus, strengthen and channel any waning energy to Endure. Nothing could be more appropriate in our world right now than this. When we are all getting worn down from the experience of what COVID-19 has brought to our lives, it is easy to want to relax the rules a bit. This experience is daunting and exhausting for everyone. Now more than ever we need to make the right choice, the diligent choice to do what is necessary to keep the curve of this disease flattened, or at least flatter. That takes a lot of focus and strength to continue through and endure this new life.
Personally, especially today, I am exhausted. Along with a relatively small group of staff, I am working hard every day to try to do what I can to keep our congregants engaged and connected while also working in a completely unique situation that there is no playbook for from the synagogue archives. Every day I am tasked to make decisions that are affecting others. And although I try hard to get it right, some days that doesn’t happen. Today is one of those days. It is at these times that I pull upon my Gevurah, my strength and choices to guide me through Netzach to endure and persevere.
Tomorrow will come. We will endure. It is with proper strength and diligent decision making that we will get through this together. For now though, I’m going to discern what’s most important for me to persevere so I can continue to do what I can every day. I’m going to unplug, listen to my body and its pains, and get some sleep. By making that choice I can have the strength to continue on. Good night!
Yedi'a 