Days 18 and 19 of the Omer

Friday Night: Endurance in Harmony / Beauty. Day 18 of the Omer, 2 weeks and 4 days. The leaves of this sapling are still clinging tightly to its branches, staying put all through the long cold winter. They still haven't dropped to the ground, and soon the buds will burst open with tiny new green leaves. It is the way of this species. It is the pattern, the harmony, the beauty of it, and something that sets it apart. May we, too, have our own unique endurance, filled with beauty, a personal measure of harmony in our world.

Saturday Night: Hod she B'Tifereth, Humility / Awe / Splendor in Beauty / Compassion. Day 19 of the Omer, 2 weeks and 5 days. When the awesome, wondrous pileated woodpecker, a very large and splendid bird with a bright red cap, starts pounding in the tree, the beauty and wonder of the world are readily apparent. Yet the bird is just going about its business of living. As we go about our business of living, may we, too, inspire awe in the beauty and wonder of the universe, ans may our simple actions express more meaning than is readily apparent. [Note: You can follow every day of the Omer on Instagram at mayantikvah.]