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Divrei
Rabbi Jerry
Rabbi
Jerry Seidler
TempleSinai
Judaism Values Spring Spirituality
Our ancient rabbis provided us with a marvelous roadmap for daily contemplation between Passover and Shavuot. This gap time, the forty-nine days between the second night of Passover and Shavuot, is called the Omer. While it corresponds to the early barley harvest in the Land of Israel, it also commemorates the time our tradition says the Israelites used to prepare themselves to receive Torah at Mount Sinai.
Mishnah Pirkei Avot 6:6 lists forty-eight spiritual values through which one acquires Torah. That is, by developing and honing these values, we can grow spiritually, and spiritual growth is the precursor to acquiring Torah. My translation and breakdown lists forty-nine such values, one for each day of the Omer period. I find that setting aside time every day for theme-based reflection, study, or prayer during these seven weeks can be a refreshing and revivifying way to welcome in the spring and to celebrate our freedom as Jews and human beings. I prefer to do this in the morning, but please pick any time that works for you.
The values are: (1) study, (2) attentiveness, (3) clear speech, (4) understanding and discernment, (5) awe, (6) reverence, (7) humility, (8) cheerfulness, (9) service to those who are wise, (10) friendliness, (11) being precise and careful with those who learn from us, (12) diligence, (13) knowledge of Bible, (14) knowledge of Jewish texts, (15) moderation in business, (16) moderation in worldly matters, (17) moderation in pleasure, (18) moderation in sleep, (19) moderation in conversation, (20) moderation in laughter, (21) patience, (22) good heartedness, (23) having faith in those who are wise, (24) acceptance of suffering, (25) knowing one's place, (26) rejoicing in one's lot in life, (27) avoiding idle talk, (28) selflessness, (29) beloved, (30) loving God, (31) loving people, (32) loving justice, (33) loving propriety, (34) accepting correction, (35) shunning glory and fame, (36) not boasting about oneself, (37) not enjoying decision-making power, (38) helping others, (39) favorably judging others, (40) truthfulness, (41) peacefulness, (42) concentration in study, (43) engaging in meaningful dialogue, (44) increasing one’s knowledge, (45) learning in order to teach, (46) learning in order to do, (47) improving one’s teacher or mentor, (48) clarifying ambiguity, and (49) citing one’s sources.
This year, the Omer begins Tuesday night, April 3, and Wednesday, April 4, and continues through Monday night, May 21, and Tuesday, May 22. I hope you agree that daily contemplation on these spiritual themes is worth your while and enlivens your Jewish soul with meaningful growth and delight.
We will commence the activity together during our festive Passover Seder at Temple Sinai Tuesday evening, April 3 beginning at 6:00 p.m. And yes, I will be cooking the chicken dinner (with fish and vegan options) just like last year. So, let’s celebrate, eat and learn together!
Reconstructionist Judaism Makes
the Heart Joyful, Sharpens the
Mind, Brings Peace to the World.
A Teaching from Rabbi Jerry
Blessings,
Rabbi
Jerry
Rabbi
Jerry H. Seidler
Temple
Sinai
50 Alberta Drive
Amherst
, NY
14221
(716) 834-0708
www.jrf.org/templesinai
Updated:
Monday, March 26, 2007
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