Day 34 of the Omer

Today is the 34th day of counting the Omer, and on this day the Divine Attributes in our minds are Y'sod in Hod, Bonding in Humility.

Slowly, over thousands and thousands and millions of years, tiny bits break off Earth's rocks and are eroded away through the action of wind and water. These tiny particles are washed down streams and into rivers, lakes, and oceans, where they settle to the bottom. Layer after layer after layer of sediment settles to the bottom of nearby and distant rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans. As the layers build up, so does the pressure. Over time, the bottom layers slowly turn into rock - sandstone, limestone, shale.


Time. It takes time to form the incredibly strong bonds that make up rocks. And it takes time to build relationships. We need to think of the big picture, to know that it may take years, even a lifetime, for relationships to grow and deepen and strengthen. We form bonds with our children even before they enter this world, but the nature of the relationships change over time. With others, it may take longer, but still, there are changes as the years go by. If we expect too much, of ourselves or of others, the bonds may loosen rather than strengthen. It takes humility to form strong bonds and healthy relationships with those we love.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kid-shanu b'mitzvotav, vitzivanu, al sefirat ha'omer.

Blessed are you Adonai our G!d, ruler of the universe, who sanctifies us with mitzvot and commands us regarding the counting of the Omer.


Today is thirty-four days which is four weeks and six days of the Omer.