For the 29th Day of the Omer: Kindness within Humility

Counting our way together. Today (starting tonight) is the 29th day of the Omer. Kindness within humility, sincerity and splendor (hod). Chesed within Hod.

This whole week, we will explore the quality of Hod, as we count our days and refine our souls on our journey to Truth. We will turn it over and over, looking at all aspects and qualities of the Tree of Life like a prism. The purpose is to learn how to be the best person we were meant to be on this planet so that when we collectively arrive at Sinai (the symbol of Wisdom) we are ready to receive.

Hod is about sincerely understanding our own gifts and talents, as well as recognizing our challenges. When we see ourselves clearly, there is a splendor in the realization that we are unique as snowflakes. It takes great humility to see ourselves clearly. Author and Mussar expert Alan Morinis says that humility is about taking “not more than my place, not less than my space.” Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg adds that “The spiritual state identified in Chassidut corresponding to the sefirah of hod is that of temimut (sincerity).”

The intention (kavannah) starting tonight and moving through tomorrow is the particular quality of CHESED (KINDNESS) within HOD (HUMILITY and SINCERITY.)

Important to notice: How kind am I to my self? Do I put myself down and shake off compliments? Or do I puff myself up? How clearly do I understand where I truly excel and where I elevate myself because of insecurity? Can I be kind to myself even when I am insecure? And can that kindness lead me to a realistic assessment of who I am? In the same way that we’d talk to a sweet child, can we talk to our own selves – people with both talents and issues yet to be resolved – and tell ourselves we are divine and special. And we have work to do.

(the photo is of jasmine just about ready to burst into bloom — into splendor — it totally “knows” that it is meant to be about fragrance, patience, and charm….