Sefirah

View Online ב"ה   Today in Judaism Today is Sunday, Nissan 23, 5779 · April 28, 2019 Omer: Day Eight - Chessed sheb'Gevurah Today's Laws & Customs • "Sefirah" Mourning Practices In remembrance of the tragic death of Rabbi Akiva's disciples who died in a plague in the weeks between Passover and Shavuot, several mourning practices are observed during this period: no marriages are conducted during this time, and like mourners, we don't cut our hair or enjoy the sound of music. Customs vary as to the proscribed activities and the dates during which the mourning is observed; consult your rabbi as to the traditions followed by your community. Link: 24,000 Plus One • Count "Nine Days to the Omer" Tonight Tomorrow is the ninth day of the Omer Count. Since, on the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall of the previous evening, we count the omer for tomorrow's date tonight, after nightfall: "Today is nine days, which are one week and two days, to the Omer." (If you miss the count tonight, you can count the omer all day tomorrow, but without the preceding blessing). The 49-day "Counting of the Omer" retraces our ancestors' seven-week spiritual journey from the Exodus to Sinai. Each evening we recite a special blessing and count the days and weeks that have passed since the Omer; the 50th day is Shavuot, the festival celebrating the Giving of the Torah at Sinai. Tonight's Sefirah: Gevurah sheb'Gevurah -- "Restraint in Restraint" The teachings of Kabbalah explain that there are seven "Divine Attributes" -- Sefirot -- that G-d assumes through which to relate to our existence: Chessed, Gevurah, Tifferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod and Malchut ("Love", "Strength", "Beauty", "Victory", "Splendor", "Foundation" and "Sovereignty"). In the human being, created in the "image of G-d," the seven sefirot are mirrored in the seven "emotional attributes" of the human soul: Kindness, Restraint, Harmony, Ambition, Humility, Connection and Receptiveness. Each of the seven attributes contain elements of all seven--i.e., "Kindness in Kindness", "Restraint in Kindness", "Harmony in Kindness", etc.--making for a total of forty-nine traits. The 49-day Omer Count is thus a 49-step process of self-refinement, with each day devoted to the "rectification" and perfection of one the forty-nine "sefirot." Links: How to count the Omer The deeper significance of the Omer Count • Isru Chag The day following a festival is called Isru Chag ("tied to the festival"). Tachnun (confession of sins) and similar prayers are omitted. Today in Jewish History • Second Crusade Mourned by Cologne Jews (1147) The Jewish community of Cologne, Germany, designated the 23rd of Nissan as a day of fasting and mourning to commemorate the Jews of Cologne massacred in 1147 during the Second Crusade. Daily Quote One does not tire of counting diamonds. — The Lubavitcher Rebbe, when asked how he could stand on his feet for hours greeting the thousands who came to see him Daily Torah Study Chumash: Acharei, 1st Portion Leviticus 16:1-16:17 with Rashi • English / Hebrew Linear Translation • Video Class • Daily Wisdom (short insight) Tehillim: Chapters 108 - 112 • Hebrew text • English text Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 42 • English Text (Lessons in Tanya) • Hebrew Text • Audio Class: Listen | Download • Video Class Rambam: • Sefer Hamitzvot: English Text | Hebrew Text Audio: Listen | Download | Video Class • 1 Chapter A Day: Temurah Temurah - Perek 3 English Text | Hebrew Text Audio: Listen | Download | Video Class • 3 Chapters A Day: Mikvaot Mikvaot - Chapter 5, Mikvaot Mikvaot - Chapter 6, Mikvaot Mikvaot - Chapter 7 English Text | Hebrew Text Audio: Listen | Download | Video Class Hayom Yom: • English Text | Video Class This email was sent to: eliuswantik8@gmail.com Change email address · Manage Subscriptions · Unsubscribe © Copyright Chabad.org · Contact Us · Ask the Rabbi · Privacy Policy · Donate