28 Apr Counting of the Omer: 49 Steps Toward Inner Wholeness- A Daily Meditation for Each Day of Sefirat Haomer
DAY 22 CHESED SHEBINETZACH – KINDNESS IN VICTORY
A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father if they could discuss the use of the car. His father took him to his study and said to him, “I’ll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up and get your hair cut and we’ll talk about it.” After about a month the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss the use of the car. They again went to the father’s study where the father said, “Son, I’ve been real proud of you. You have brought your grades up, you’ve studied diligently, but you didn’t get your hair cut!” The young man waited a moment and replied, “You know Dad, I’ve been thinking about that. You know, Samson had long hair, King Solomon had long hair, and even Moses had long hair…” To which his father replied, “Yes, and they walked everywhere they went!” In life we must sometimes fight various obstacles, from within or without, in order to achieve our desired goals. Yet, we must be kind and loving in our victories. Even when you have to say “no,” do it with kindness. Even when you have to say no to a part of yourself, do it with love. Even when you are competing ferociously, be kind and sensitive. When you win, remember those who did not. At the end of the day, for me to win, you also have to win. Don’t allow victory to blind you to the emotions of the other.
DAY 23 GEVURAH SHEBINETZACH – DISCIPLINE IN VICTORY
Life requires of us to overcome hurdles, challenges and obstacles of all sorts. We must at times confront situations, battle injustice, and triumph over opposition. Yet every victory must come with restrain and discipline. It must be tempered by the voice of integrity. You must challenge yourself to ensure that your drive to victory is not overtaken by arrogance, vengeance and the need to be right. Ask yourself, do I trample on people and their emotions on the way to fulfill my ambitions? Do I need to win every argument? Can I respect my opponent even if we disagree? Is my urge for victory tempered by self-control and self-refinement? Even when I am forced to fight, I must never trespass boundaries that do not belong to me.
DAY 24 TIFERES SHEBINTETZACH – EMPATHY IN VICTORY
Even as you score a victory, be empathetic. Do not allow it to get personal and petty. Always appreciate the other perspective. Even when you must make a drastic move, have empathy for the people being affected. Be driven by the cause of doing good and being good. Let your triumphs profess the majesty of dignity and broad-mindedness. Learn to disagree without becoming disagreeable. Tiferes means beauty which always comes from the synthesis of polarities. Do not become petty with your disputes. Do not cut off people forever. Don’t fall prey to the black-or-white instinct. Big people do not allow pettiness to occupy space in their souls.
DAY 25 NETZACH SHEBINETZACH – VICTORY IN VICTORY
Yeshiva University in Golders Green decided to put together a rowing team. Unfortunately, they lost race after race. They practiced for hours every day, but never managed to come in any better than dead last. The Head of the Yeshiva finally decided he couldn’t stand any more embarrassment so he sent Yankel to spy on the Oxford University team. So Yankel went off to Oxford and hid in the bulrushes off the river from where he carefully watched the Oxford team as they practiced. Yankel finally returned to the Yeshiva. “I have figured out their secret,” he announced. “They have eight guys rowing and only one guy shouting.” Life is filled with obstacles and hitches, both inner and outer. There are people and forces that may try to cut you down and mock your dreams. You may encounter inner voices that belittle you and invoke despair. Yet you have the ability to overcome all odds and triumph over the forces that undermine your calling, dignity and destiny. Your soul is capable of winning. Sometimes, you need to fight for your truth; you need to wage combat for your loved ones; you must battle for your relationships, for your integrity, for your G-d, for your homeland, for your people. Sometimes you got to fight for your kids. Fear not.
DAY 26 HOD SHEBINETZACH – HUMILITY IN VICTORY
Success must breed more humility, not arrogance. View your success as a gift, an opportunity to achieve good and help people. Do not allow your victories and success stories to get to your head and dehumanize you. Maintain a balanced perspective, and remember, that it is not about you alone. You are an ambassador of G-d to bring light, love and hope.
DAY 27 YESOD SHEBINETZACH – BONDING IN VICTORY
A man was laying a new concrete path. No sooner was his back turned and a crowd of children came running by, leaving unsightly foot marks all over the hardening surface. The man started to swear and scream. A neighbor who heard him said, “I’m surprised, Sam. You told me you liked kids.” “I like them in the abstract, but not in the concrete.” It is not enough to fight for a loved one; you must also bond with them. Some parents will fight for their children but not bond with them. Some teachers will fight for their students, but not bond with them. Some husbands will fight for their wives, but not bond with them. To take a stand against injustice and to protect the innocent is vital. But not enough. We must also bond with those we are fighting for. We must show them our concern and make them feel special and protected.
DAY 28 MALCHUS SHEBINETZACH – LEADERSHIP IN VICTORY
In life, we want to emerge victorious, but we must display leadership and stateliness in our successes. When battling for something, focus on the cause, not the person. Ensure that your victories are inspired by a vision larger than your ego. In your victories, you must take responsibility even for those who may have preferred someone else. Do not use your victories to settle scores. Let your need for victory not grow out of insecurity, arrogance and egocentrism. Ask yourself, am I fighting to exact revenge? Because I feel worthless without it? Because I am impulsive?
DAY 29 CHESED SHEBIHOD – KINDNESS IN HUMILITY
Hod represents humility and submission; it is the human ability to surrender, confess, display vulnerability and commit oneself to a value beyond his or her emotions. Yet we often become harsh with others who are not living up to our standards. We sometimes become vindictive, judgmental and develop a holier-than-thou attitude. In our readiness to surrender our egos, we begin resenting others who are not as vulnerable. Don’t fall into that trap. Humility is a gift—one of the greatest you can give yourself. Be kind and generous. Don’t allow your humility to become another form of arrogance and intolerance.