Today is 26th day of the Omer.


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

Glory from Heaven and Torah

Psalm 19 TLV

1 For the music director, a psalm of David.

2 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky shows His handiwork.
3 Day to day they speak,
night to night they reveal knowledge.
4 There is no speech, no words,
where their voice goes unheard.
5 Their voice has gone out to all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.[a]
In the heavens He pitched a tent for the sun.
6 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his bridal chamber.
It is like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
7 It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other end.
Nothing is hidden from its heat.

8 The Torah of Adonai is perfect,
    restoring the soul.
The testimony of Adonai is trustworthy,
    making the simple wise.
9 The precepts of Adonai are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The mitzvot of Adonai are pure,
    giving light to the eyes.
10 The fear of Adonai is clean,
    enduring forever.
The judgments of Adonai are true
    and altogether righteous.

11 They are more desirable than gold,
    yes, more than much pure gold!
They are sweeter than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
12 Moreover by them Your servant is warned.
In keeping them there is great reward.
13 Who can discern his errors?
Cleanse me of hidden faults.
14 Also keep Your servant from willful sins.
May they not have dominion over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    free from great transgression.
15 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable before You,
Adonai, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 19:5 cf. Rom. 10:

By Rabbi Simon Jacobson

Tonight, Wednesday night, May 11, 2022, we count twenty-six (26th) days, which is three weeks and five days of the Omer.

Day Five of Week 4: Hod of Netzach (Humility in Endurance)

Yielding – which is a result of humility – is an essential element of enduring. Standing fast can sometimes be a formula for destruction. The oak, lacking the abilityd in the hurricane, is uprooted. The reed, which yields to the wind, survives without a problem. Do I know when to yield, out of strength not fear? Why am I often afraid to yield?

Endurance is fueled by inner strength. Hod of netzach is the humble recognition and acknowledgement that the capacity to endure and prevail comes from the soul that G-d gave each person. This humility does not compromise the drive of endurance; on the contrary, it intensifies it, because human endurance can go only so far and endure only so much, whereas endurance that comes from the Divine soul is limitless.

Do I attribute my success solely to my own strength and determination? Am I convinced that I am all powerful due to my level of endurance? Where do I get the strength at times when everything seems so bleak?

Exercise for the day: When you awake, acknowledge G-d for giving you a soul with the extraordinary power and versatility to endure despite trying challenges. This will allow you to draw energy and strength for the entire day.