Strength of Divine Presence, 44 Days Omer 4781
Today is forty-four days, which is six weeks and two days of the Omer in the year 5781. גבורה שבשכינה, Gevurah ShebeSchechinah, Strength of Divine Presence. Yesterday in Jewish time, earlier today in secular time, I had the distinct honor of hearing the thesis presentations of Erev Rav Jamie Hyams and Erev Rav Deborah Lewis. I continue to ruminate on the breadth of their presentations.
The Divine is Real... does that matter?
My meditations speak towards the Divine that holds sway over my life. Yet, it feels a bit too much like marketing to focus on convincing you that my beliefs are true. Holding yourself accountable to values and refining your interactions with other people can occur without belief.
I suppose I am saying: religion does not matter. Believing in God cannot be the end goal.
These vessels create space within me to attempt to live into my best self. I hear my kids struggle when I raise my voice. I know my best parent days are ahead of me.
Choosing Divine Presence is my way of choosing uprightness and truth. Though this is the path I choose to take, I think we can support one another regardless of how often our paths intertwine.
Strength of Divine Presence
Today I choose to greet the Heavenly Mother with prayers of gratitude. My strength and Her song will be to me salvation.
Recalling that each moment is an opportunity to be born anew, I shall circumscribe my lips.
Relish the love that surrounds me. Reach out to loved ones far away and around the corner.
I shall sink into Rabbi Abarbanel's wise words:
כי היתה העבודה והאהבה שניים במאמר ואחד במציאות
"Because service and love are two words when you say them, but one in actuality."
(With deep gratitude to Rabbi Avraham Greenstein's Hebrew V class for sinking into this gorgeous text.)
Previously today...
Choosing Strong Divine Presence during a pandemic, 5780 / 2020.
The Divine Feminine Radiates Through Us, 5779 / 2019.
Mothers Reflect Divine Strength, 5778 / 2018.
Embracing The Divine, 5777 / 2017.
Image by kien virak via Pexels.