hazzan Diana Brewer was ordained through the aleph ordination program. she leads prayer services regularly at the jewish community of amherst, and is on the staff of the davvenen leadership training institute.

Day 19 הוד שבתפרת

Hod SheBeTiferet. Humility within Balance. Splendor within Compassion. Elevation within Harmony. Humility within Compassion. Elevation within Balance. Splendor within Harmony.

Hod, splendor, can be associated with an "aspect of revelation that exists vertically, as a peak experience, or contact with that which is transcendence." (Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson) It can also be associated with the humility that comes with total surrender and commitment to a deep sense of purpose. One's own will is sublimated and a Higher will is accepted.

I love the idea of Splendor within Compassion - a peak experience of compassion. It is more than just an idea. As I have experienced it, Splendor within Compassion is the moment when you feel G8d working through you to help another person. When you have reached out to someone just at the right moment, when you know you have been put in the right place at the right time to be of service as only you could be at that moment. The knowledge that you are uniquely useful, just because you are you. 

One way I can understand Humility within Compassion is in the moment when someone comes to me berating themselves for things for which they are clearly blameless. I hear in their stories echoes of myself, the unreasonably high expectations, the harsh inner critic. I am filled with compassion for us both. I humbly acknowledge my own tendencies and try help them find acceptance as we mirror each other's best attributes.

Humility within Balance. Knowing what I can and can't handle. I must be humble enough to know when to say "uncle", when to sublimate my will in order to serve purposes other than my own, or to serve the purpose that is uniquely mine, but from which I got distracted. I must bear in mind the consequences of tipping the balance.

When any of these things occurs, there is Elevation within Harmony. That wonderful feeling that comes when you are at peace with those around you, with yourself, with your circumstances. You feel the presence of the Divine Third in your relationships, in your dealings with the world at large. You know that, truly, "All's right with the world."

For the abbreviated version, visit me on Twitter.

For a couple of different Omer counting guides try mishkan.org or chabad.org.

Day 20 יסוד שבתפרת

Day 18 נצח שבתפרת