Forget about social media declarations – #NewYearNewMe, or grandiose goals of weight loss, self-care, or book clubs, because our tradition spells it all out for us. All of the different ways that we can try to be our best self; the new and improved version of who we were during Pesach, and all YOU have to do is count the Omer.
The Omer was an ancient measurement of grain, and refers to the barley offering that was brought to the Ancient Temple starting on the second day of Passover.
As the Torah instructs:
“You shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: you must count until the day after the seventh week – 50 days.”
The Jewish mystical tradition added to this counting practice by identifying each of the seven weeks with different divine, but also very human characteristics we should all hope to embody: Loving kindness; Courage; Beauty; Eternity; Splendor; Foundation, and Majesty.
Each week, a member of the clergy offers their personal perspective on a topic of their choice, such as the week's Torah portion, a Jewish holiday, ritual, custom, or history.
Facebook: Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Website: wbtla.org
Youtube: Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Instagram: wilshireboulevardtemple
Forget about social media declarations – #NewYearNewMe, or grandiose goals of weight loss, self-care, or book clubs, because our tradition spells it all out for us. All of the different ways that we can try to be our best self; the new and improved version of who we were during Pesach, and all YOU have to do is count the Omer.
The Omer was an ancient measurement of grain, and refers to the barley offering that was brought to the Ancient Temple starting on the second day of Passover.
As the Torah instructs:
“You shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: you must count until the day after the seventh week – 50 days.”
The Jewish mystical tradition added to this counting practice by identifying each of the seven weeks with different divine, but also very human characteristics we should all hope to embody: Loving kindness; Courage; Beauty; Eternity; Splendor; Foundation, and Majesty.
Each week, a member of the clergy offers their personal perspective on a topic of their choice, such as the week's Torah portion, a Jewish holiday, ritual, custom, or history.
Facebook: Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Website: wbtla.org
Youtube: Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Instagram: wilshireboulevardtemple