Sefiras HaOmer
What is Omer: https://aish.com/48971726/
On the second night of Passover outside of Israel or start of Chol HaMoed Israel. We count the Omer for 49 days leading to Chag Shavous on the 50th day. We bless: Baruch Atah HASHEM ELOKAYNU Melech HaOlam Asher Kiddushonu B’Mitzvosav or Mitzvotav Vzivonu Al Sefiras HaOmer.
In English Today is the first day in the Omer or to the Omer depending on Ashkenazi or Sephardi.
The seven emotional attributes are:
- Chesed ― Loving-kindness
- Gevurah ― Justice and discipline
- Tiferet ― Harmony, compassion
- Netzach ― Endurance
- Hod ― Humility
- Yesod ― Bonding
- Malchut ― Sovereignty, leadership
A practical guide to becoming great in 49 days.
With the mitzvah of counting the 49 days, known as Sefiras HaOmer, the Torah invites us on a journey into the human psyche, into the soul. There are seven basic emotions that make up the spectrum of human experience. At the root of all forms of enslavement, is a distortion of these emotions. Each of the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot is dedicated to examining and refining one of them.
The seven weeks, which represent these emotional attributes, further divide into seven days making up the 49 days of the counting. Since a fully functional emotion is multidimensional, it includes within itself a blend of all seven attributes. Thus, the counting of the first week, which begins on the second night of Pesach, as well as consisting of the actual counting ("Today is day one of the Omer...") would consist of the following structure with suggested meditations:
Upon conclusion of the 49 days we arrive at the 50th day ― Matan Torah. After we have achieved all we can accomplish through our own initiative, traversing and refining every emotional corner of our psyche, we then receive a gift ('Matan' in Hebrew) from above. We receive that which we could not achieve with our own limited faculties. We receive the gift of true freedom ― the ability to transcend our human limitations and touch the divine.
Love is the single most powerful and necessary component in life. It is both giving and receiving. Love allows us to reach above and beyond ourselves, to experience another person and to allow that person to experience us. It is the tool by which we learn to experience the highest reality ― God. Examine the love aspect of your love.
Week One Chesed: Loving Kindness
Day one Chesed that is within Chesed. Explanations: https://aish.com/daily-omer-meditation/
TORAH READINGS FOR PASSOVER: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/biblical-readings-for-passover/
The Disappearing Words of the Haggadah by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1376-33
LEIBEL, like most Jewish shoemakers of the time, was a poor man that lived humbly and did his best to do 'a good job.'
One day his mazal changed. An officer of the Czar's army, on his way back to join his unit, rode through town where Leibel lived and worked. Upon noticing Leibel's shoe repair shop on one side of the street and a tavern on the opposite side of the street, an idea jumped into his mind. So he immediately dismounted and went in to see Leibel. "I want you to fix my boots and shine them up. Come with me to the tavern. I'll give you my boots and you can bring them back to me as soon as you're finished. Make sure you do a good job, or else."
Leibel followed the officer into the tavern, took the boots back to his shop and very carefully cleaned and polished them until they shone like a mirror.
The officer, in the meantime had a few drinks and was happy to see Leibel come in with his boots, especially since his feet were getting cold. He took the boots and looked them over. He was very impressed with the Jewish shoemaker's work. The boots were so beautiful, they would surely be the envy of his fellow officers. He paid Leibel handsomely and thanked him over and over.
A few weeks later, when the officer happened to again pass through Leibel's town, he had Leibel make him a new pair of boots. This time, he was even more pleased and mentioned that he would tell his fellow officers of Leibel's craftsmanship.
It wasn't too long before a stream of officers found their way to Leibel's shop. Soon, all of the officer's wanted a pair of Leibel's boots and so he became the official boot maker to the czar's army.
It seemed like a miracle to Leibel. For his entire life he had been so poor and now he was getting richer every day. He built a beautiful home surrounded by a large garden and a high fence. Soon he had everything he had ever dreamed of: family, money, and a beautiful home.
Meanwhile his esteem in the community rose accordingly. He was no longer a simple shoemaker but a successful and highly respected manufacturer. All of the local townspeople, looked up to him. They started to come to him for advice and help. He was invited to be on important town committees and honored in his shul.
Actually, Leibel was still an ordinary person, but all the respect and flattery got to him. As his money and honor grew, he believed that he was getting wiser. Before the change in events, he was a quiet humble man; now he was a haughty boor.
One more thing that grew along with his wealth was his paranoia. Sadly, Leibel was always fearful that everyone was scheming to take his money. And day-by-day, his fear about this grew. More and more Leibel stayed away from the townsfolk. He discouraged visitors to his home. He even kept two guard dogs to protect himself from unwanted visitors.
At that time, the Baal Shem Tov's name was spreading over the region. Many people spoke of his holiness and his caring and love for his fellow Jews. To many, just hearing his holy name was an inspiration. Leibel began to meet more and more people who had gone to see the Baal Shem Tov. Often, they would ask him if he had met him yet.
"Who's the Baal Shem Tov and why should I bother to go and meet him? I'm probably just as important as him if not more so," Leibel thought to himself. However, he did notice that people were really impressed to meet anyone who had met the holy Baal Shem Tov in person. So he decided that it wouldn't be a bad idea to be able to say that he had actually met him.
As it happened, Leibel found himself in the vicinity of Medzibush during the last days of Pesach and he decided to stay there for the remainder of the holiday.
On the sixth day of Pesach he went to the Baal Shem Tov's shul. There he found a crowd of Chasidim, some praying, some studying and some sitting around singing, telling stories about the Rebbe and discussing his teachings.
They welcomed him warmly and invited him to join them at the table. But no one made a fuss over him. Actually, they seemed rather simple to him and he felt a bit out of place. They told him that the Baal Shem Tov would soon come to learn with them, and so he decided to stay.
Suddenly, all the Chasidim stood up in silence as the Baal Shem Tov entered the shul. As soon as the Baal Shem Tov sat down at the head of the table, they all quickly crowded around to catch every one of his words. Leibel found himself at the edge of the group of Chasidim. It had been quite a while since the last time that he was treated just as an ordinary person and this made him feel a bit uncomfortable. He had grown accustomed to being honored and he actually liked receiving attention. It was strange for him to be among these Chassidim.
After singing a niggun (melody), the Baal Shem Tov started to teach an idea about the Torah. Leibel listened in but he did not really understand most of what he heard. He did, however, catch one idea, but it made no sense to him. The Baal Shem Tov said that it is possible to say one's prayers and yet the prayers may not ascend to heaven for a long time. It is entirely possible that the prayers of one who prayed at 10:00 o'clock in the morning should reach the Ribono Shel Olam ('Master of the World') before the prayers of one who had prayed much earlier in the day.
"That makes no sense at all," Leibel thought to himself.
The Baal Shem Tov continued, "There are some Passover 'Seder'
recitations and prayers that have yet to ascend to heaven, even though they
were said five days ago." Leibel did not listen much after that; he was
baffled as to why so many people were giving this man so much attention,
especially since he didn't seem to say anything that made much sense.
"Why did I bother coming here, I should just have stayed home,
Leibel thought. "There is nothing special about this man and he says these
foolish things. Can it be possible that the words I said at my Seder have not
yet reached Heaven? How ridiculous! And just look at these Chassidim, pushing
around their master, just to hear silly ideas!"
It was too late for him to get home for Yom Tov, and so he resigned himself to being with the Baal Shem Tov and his Chassidim for the last two days of Pesach.
Leibel found that praying with the Chassidim was very intense and very different from anything he had ever experienced. They sang, they cried, they were loud and they were silent, they danced, they 'shuckled' (rabidly bent forward and back) often and fervently - they seemed uninhibited. Here he had no choice but to eat simple food and sleep in a simple home; he missed the luxurious comforts of his own home.
The Baal Shem Tov had instituted a custom that is practiced to this very day- Moshiach's Seudah. About two hours before the end of Pesach, Chassidim have another meal at which we eat matzah and drink another four cups of wine with much singing and dancing in honor of Moshiach and the ultimate redemption; may it come quickly in our days. Leibel had never participated in such a meal, and frankly he was already anxious for the holiday to be over so that he could run out and find some bread to eat. But these Chassidim were in no rush, in fact it seemed as if they would be much happier if Pesach wouldn't end.
At one point in the meal, the Baal Shem Tov and the Chassidim sang
a very hauntingly, beautiful niqun and everyone went into a deeply introspective
and high spiritual place. Everyone's eyes were shut and only Leibel was looking
around.
In the midst of the niggun, the Baal Shem Tov put his hands on the shoulders of those who were next to him, and they did likewise. It became very quiet. Leibel, as unaccustomed as he was to all of this, did sense that something extraordinary was taking place and without much thought, he too shut his eyes and placed his hands of the shoulders of those who were next to him. It was not long before he began to have his first-ever spiritual experience.
Leibel felt as if he was transported to a heavenly sphere and he was seeing a replay of his own Seder--what had actually happened on the first night of Pesach. Leibel had gone to shul and knowing that it was customary to invite the needy to one's Seder, he approached two wayfarers and invited them. He didn't introduce himself to them, he just said "You and you, you'll be my guests tonight," and then he went to his seat at the front of the shul. He didn't really want any guests, but it was the respectable thing to do. In fact, he finished the prayers before everyone else and went home alone. When the services were over, the two wayfarers waited for their host.
The shul was already empty and the shamash (attendant) was about to close up. He saw these two forlorn fellows and asked them if they had been invited anywhere. They told him that someone had indeed invited them but they did not know who it was. They described him as best as they could.
"It sounds like you're going to Leibel's home. I'll tell you how to get there, but be careful!" the shamash told them. He didn't explain, but he was thinking about Leibel's vicious dogs.
Leibel had gone home before everyone else and had already started his Seder as his two guests were still finding their way to his home. He had already made Kiddush and was about to say the opening lines of the Haggadah, "Ha Lachmah Anya…" -- "This is the bread of affliction that our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. All who are hungry, let them come and eat, all who are needy let them come and join us in,..." just as his two guests were about to open the gate.
And then Leibel saw himself sitting at his Seder table and the
words and letters of 'Ha Lachmah Anya' leaving his mouth and beginning
to ascend to Heaven. Suddenly one of his guard dogs jumped up and with a great
snarl snatched the word "Ha" right out of the air and devoured
it. And then the second dog ferociously leapt up and snatched the word "Lachmah"
before it rose and it too devoured the word.
And so it was with every word that he said. Why? Because at the
very moment that he was reciting the words of the Haggadah about
inviting the poor and needy, his two guard dogs were ferociously attacking his
poor guests. The guests barely got away and ran for their lives.
Now Leibel realized what the Baal Shem Tov meant when he said that some the words of the Haggadah recited at some Seders had never ascended to Heaven. He grew faint and passed out on the floor. The Chassidim revived him.
Later that evening, during a personal meeting with the Baal Shem
Tov, he humbly asked for guidance in doing teshuva (repenting and returning to
better behavior). He felt very embarrassed to look at the Baal Shem Tov, but
the Reba’s love and words of encouragement restored his confidence.
Needless to say, Leibel came home a much humbled and joyous servant of G-d Al-mighty and from that time on, he was a faithful follower of the Baal Shem Tov.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Excerpted by
Yerachmiel Tilles from the free adaptation by Tzvi-Meir Cohn on his website, baalshemtov.com, based on a story told by Rabbi Sholom
Brod.
Biographical note:
Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer [of blessed memory: 18 Elul 5458- 6 Sivan 5520 (Aug.
1698 - May 1760)], the Baal Shem Tov ["Master of the Good Name"-often
referred to as "the Besht" for short], a unique and seminal figure in
Jewish history, revealed his identity as an exceptionally holy person, on his
36th birthday, 18 Elul 5494 (1734), and made the until-then underground Chasidic
movement public. He wrote no books, although many works claim to contain his
teachings. One available in English is the excellent annotated translation of Tzava'at
Harivash, published by Kehos.
The astonishing wrong line blessing by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1375-32
Several years ago, thousands of Jews were crowded into the huge shul at 770 Eastern Parkway, the shul of the Chabad Chassidim in Brooklyn, New York to hear the Lubavitcher Rebbe speak. Not only religious Chassidim but all sorts of Jews were there. Even those who didn't understand a word of Yiddish were hypnotized by the awesomeness of the man.
Mr. David Asulin came to see for himself and, although he didn't exactly believe all the stories, he was glad he came. He had been born in Morocco. There everyone believed in tzadikim; unique Jews who were very G-dly. So all this wasn't completely new to him. In fact, since he moved to France twenty years ago and became comfortably settled there, he had almost forgotten about the tzadikim. This was his first visit to America, where he was going for business. His friends had told him that if he wanted an unforgettable experience he must see the Lubavitcher Rebbe. He did, and it was just as they said.
After about two hours of listening with ten minute pauses between topics, many people stood up and formed lines to the Rebbe, which eventually became one line. When they reached him, he gave each one a bottle of vodka.
Mr. Asulin didn't understand that the bottles were only for those people that were making celebrations (such as weddings or bar mitzvahs) throughout the world; he thought that everyone was entitled to a bottle. So he got in line as well!
When it came his turn and he was face to face with the Rebbe, the Rebbe smiled, gave him a large bottle and said in French, "This is for the wedding."
He was amazed; how did the Rebbe knew he speaks French! That was astounding, it verifies all the other stories he had heard. The Rebbe certainly has uncanny powers of perception! But on the other hand, he decided, what the Rebbe said to him in French also proves he isn't infallible. David had been happily married for years. What he said about the wedding was clearly wrong!
A week later he returned to France. When he showed his wife the bottle they had a good laugh over what the Rebbe said. But when he visited his local Chabad House in Cartel, Rabbi Chaim Malul didn't agree with David's conclusion. Instead, he assured him that in time he would see that it was no mistake.
David laughed to himself. " The Rebbe is such a nice man, and very dedicated. So what if he made a little mistake." And then David promptly forgot the entire incident.
Months later he happened to open the cabinet where he had put the bottle and it reminded him of his experience in Brooklyn. "You know," he said to his wife, "It's a shame that this bottle from the Tzadik should remain unused. Let's make a party, invite all our family and some friends, and give them all to toast L'chayim. It will be fun for everyone and a blessing as well. I'm sure they will all come."
They began making plans. At first, they thought of making the party at their home, but at the last moment decided it would be less trouble to move it to the small wedding hall of the local shul in Rancee (near Paris) and to have it catered by a local kosher restaurant.
The day of the party arrived and the guests began arriving in good spirits. A small band played happy music and people were exchanging greetings and handshakes. But as they were sitting down to begin the meal, the rabbi of the synagogue entered the room with a smile, looked around for David, and when he found him took him aside and whispered something in his ear.
David turned to the crowd and said: "The Rabbi needs nine men to join him to make a minyan. He says it will take only a few minutes. Who wants to come? I for one am going."
In no time he had the required number following the Rabbi to the next room for what they thought would be prayer, but they were in for a surprise.
In the room stood a bride, a groom and a chuppah; it was a wedding! But, surprisingly, the couple was all alone. In fifteen minutes the entire ceremony was over.
David and the other men shook the groom's hand, wished the newlyweds 'Mazal Tov,' and gingerly asked where the wedding meal would be (they also were wondering why there were no guests but were embarrassed to ask).
When the groom answered that no meal had been arranged, David joyously announced, "then you are invited to ours." Instantly David's informal party became a real wedding party. The band played merrily and the men began to dance on one side of the room with the groom, while the women on the other side danced with the bride.
When the dancing finished they all sat down to eat. In the middle of the meal David stood, held up the Rebbe's bottle, cleared his throat for silence and told the story of the Rebbe saying it was "For the Wedding," since he finally understood that the Rebbe wasn't mistaken at all.
"What!" exclaimed the bride. "That bottle is from the Lubavitcher Rebbe for my wedding?" and she burst into tears, tears of sheer joy. When she calmed down she explained.
This was her second marriage. Her first ended in a bitter divorce that, coupled with the fact that she decided to be an observant Jew, resulted in a major rift in her family and none of her relatives showed up. No one came from her husband's side either, but his reason was simpler. He was a convert to Judaism and so he had no Jewish family.
She felt so alone and uneasy that a few weeks previously she decided to immediately act on the suggestion of an acquaintance that she write to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, asking in the letter for some sign that the marriage would succeed.
"And here you are with the Rebbe's blessing!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles
from an article in the Ki Teitzei 5777 (2017) email of Good Shabbos Everyone,
as posted on ShabbosStories.com.
Biographic
Note:
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe (11 Nissan 1902
- 3 Tammuz 1994), became the seventh Rebbe of the Chabad dynasty after his
father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, passed away in Brooklyn on 10
Shvat 1950. He is widely acknowledged as the greatest Jewish leader of the
second half of the 20th century. Although a dominant scholar in both the
revealed and hidden aspects of Torah and fluent in many languages and
scientific subjects, the Rebbe is best known for his extraordinary love and
concern for every Jew on the planet. His emissaries around the globe dedicated
to strengthening Judaism number in the thousands. Many hundreds of volumes of
his teachings have been printed, and hundreds of English renditions too.
Inyanay Diyoma
Apr. 20 – 21 - 22
Days 197 – 198 - 199 start of week 29.
A lot of Terror attacks in the past few days. Many terrorists in the Shomron either killed or rounded up. Monday there was 4 terror attacks. https://www.timesofisrael.com/3-palestinians-shot-dead-while-attacking-idf-troops-in-west-bank/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-kills-10-palestinian-gunmen-arrests-8-in-two-day-west-bank-raid/
Not included was the shooting at a home or the booby-trapped PLO Flag.
Ramming attack in Yerushalayim. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388890
Terrorists apprehended. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-798230
Hezballah still sending rockets and drones. Major in the Reserves dies from last week’s drone attack. Was planning May wedding. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388860
Terrorist who murdered shepherd arrested. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388892
Michael Oren. Sanctions on the IDF could hurt Marines. It's even dangerous for the US because what begins with the IDF could end with the American armed forces, with Marines being arrested at airports and when America goes to protest, other countries might say, ‘Well, you did this to Israel.’ Netanyahu the height of absurdity. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388864 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388801
Passover Message Biden denounces Campus antisemitism. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388878
Jewish Yale student stabbed in the eye. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388884
Rabbi at Columbia U. tells students to stay at home. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388891
IDF drone over Lebanon. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388877
At least three terrorist die in Lebanon. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-strikes-in-lebanon-kill-at-least-3-hezbollah-gunmen-missile-hits-metula-home/
Ambassador thanks US over aid bill. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388816
Son of Hamas Biden Administration wants to win an election and not a war. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388814
Israeli Arabs in the Galil set fire to pastures. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388805
Gaza Rocket launch site silenced. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388798
Nahal Brigade close encounters in Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388799
A massive explosion was heard south of Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday night. According to reports, the explosion was a result of an air strike targeting a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a pro-Iranian militia. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388796
The missile used in the attack on Iran early Friday morning was a precise missile named Rampage. According to the report, the missile carries a warhead of 150 kilograms of explosives, and can reach a distance of 145 kilometers. It can also adjust its path mid-flight, so as to precisely hit the target it was programmed to hit. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388813
Last week I posted on Facebook Groups pictures of the vast choices of fruits and vegetables in Gaza here is a post with of film of the starving Arabs enjoying the beach. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388712 https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/hjleqkcec#autoplay
Abbas threatens the US. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388817
Iran to receive S-35 Jets in a few days. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388820
Legislation to ban Tik Tok. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388818
One person wounded in rocket from Lebanon. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388837
The U.S. Embassy has lifted the travel restrictions on U.S. government employees and their family members under Chief of Mission (COM) security responsibility that were announced on April 19, and personal travel is no longer limited to within and between Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Beer Sheva.
As a reminder, U.S. government employees and their families under COM security responsibility are still restricted from personal travel to the following locations in Israel:
- Within seven miles of the Gaza demarcation line, as well as the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon;
- Within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders; and
- Within 1.5 miles of the Israel-Egypt border.
As a reminder, U.S. government employees and their families under COM security responsibility are still restricted from personal travel in the West Bank, except:
- Routes 1, 90, and 443 at any time;
- Personal travel to Jericho; and
- Daylight travel to: Inn of the Good Samaritan, An-Nabi Musa, Wadi Qelt Nature Preserve, and St. George’s Monastery along Route 1; and Qumran, Kalia Beach, St. Gerasimos/Khogla Monastery, Al Auju, and Qasr al-Yaud baptismal site along Route 90.
Police arrest Israelis who took part in search for murdered detained by police. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388831
Sister of Hamas Leader indicted. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388841
White House was shocked by magnitude of Iranian Attack. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388832
Before and after Israeli Attack on Iran. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388824
84% of vehicles damaged go back to battle. https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-798213
A joyous and kosher Pesach,
Rachamim Pauli
