The 31st Omer

I have been bad about keeping up with writing about counting the omer daily. Sometimes life gets in the way of the things on which we want to focus our attention and energy. Of course, this is one of the things we are supposed to be reflecting on and working toward overcoming during the period between Pesach and Shavuot. But nobody's perfect. So with that in mind, I'm going to jump back right back in.

First, the blessing for counting the omer:

If you're following the omer calendar, then you know that today is thirty-one days, or four weeks and three days of the omer. For this day, also known as Tiferet of Hod or Compassion in Humility, we recite this blessing:

As with other Jewish festivals or holidays, including shabbat, we start the observance at sunset. So, although I am writing this on May 5, it is still the 31st day of the omer. Jewish tradition says that each day begins at nightfall, citing the Book of Genesis (B'Reishit) as the source: "And it was evening, and it was morning; day one." 

For Tiferet of Hod, or Compassion in Humility, we are once again drawn to reflect on whether our thoughts and actions are compassionate. But this time we consider it in terms of our humility. Am I humble or proud? Am I awkward and anti-social? How do these affect my ability to show compassion toward others? Humility and compassion are complementary, with one often leading to the other.

My humility has often been expressed in an awkward, consuming lack of self-confidence. This is an extreme, to be sure. As I've gotten older, it has become more balanced, but I think there is still room for improvement. 

Posted on May 5, 2015 .