Today is 19th day of the Omer.

Kuf (also spelled qoph) is the nineteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Numerical value: 100
Sound: “K” 
Meaning: Monkey, to surround or touch; strength; in Aramaic: the eye of a needle.

Colossians 3:1-17

Interesting!  Kuf is the nineteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Hebrew, Kuf is spelled with three letters: קוף Kuf, Vav and final Pei, which literally means “monkey, baboon, or ape.” In Aramaic, קוף Kuf means “the eye of a needle.”

We all read Parashat Mishpatim:

In Hebrew Transliteration Ve’anshey-kodesh tihyun li means You are to be a holy people for Me……..We learn this in an interpretation from this week’s parashah: “V’Anshei kodesh tih’yun li – You shall be holy PEOPLE to Me” (Shemot “Exodus” 22:30).

From the three root letters in the word “kodesh” — kuf, dalet and shin — we also find Kiddush, holiness or sanctification. The letter Kuf is appears in the Hebrew word Kadosh. At the King Solomon’s Temple, we utter, “Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,” which means “Holy, holy, holy.” The word  קדוש Kadosh means “holy.”  The letter kuf (which should not be confused with the letter kaf) represents the concept of holiness because it is the first letter of the word k’dusha (as well as: kiddush, kaddish, kadosh, all of which represent sanctification/holiness). To be holy, or to sanctify something and make it holy, is, in actuality, the act of separating that object from the mundane and elevating it to a state of holiness.

Begin each night’s count with the blessing:
Hebrew: “Baruch atah YAHWEH Eloheinu Melekh Ha-olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al S’firat Ha-omer.”

(English: Blessed are You, YAHWEH our Elohim, King of the Universe who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to count the Omer.) 

Please click The Refiner’s Fire 2022 Omer

19th day, Wednesday evening, May 4, 2022 read: Psalm 119:145-152 TLV

KOF ק

¹⁴⁵ I cried out with all my heart,
“Answer me, Adonai!
I will keep Your decrees.”
¹⁴⁶ I cried out to You, “Save me,
and I will keep Your testimonies.”
¹⁴⁷ I am up before dawn, crying for help—
I put my hope in Your word.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes are up before every night watch,
as I meditate on Your word.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice with Your lovingkindness.
Revive me, Adonai, with Your judgments.
¹⁵⁰ Pursuers of wicked schemes draw near—
they are far from Your Torah.
¹⁵¹ You are near, Adonai,
and all Your mitzvot are truth.
¹⁵² Long ago I learned from Your testimonies
that You founded them firmly forever.

By Rabbi Simon Jacobson DAY 19       HOD OF TIFERET: Humility in Compassion

Wednesday evening, May 4  we count nineteen days of the Omer.  Is my compassion enduring and consistent? Is it reliable or whimsical? Does it prevail among other forces in my life? Do I have the capacity to be compassionate even when I’m busy with other activities or only when it’s comfortable for me? Am I ready to stand up and fight for another? Exercise for the day:  In the middle of your busy day take a moment and call someone who needs a compassionate word. Defend someone who is in need of sympathy even if it’s not a popular position.