Lag B’Omer May 6, 2007
(33th day of the counting and meditation
about how God’s Holy Spirit expresses himself
inside of us from Passover to Shavuos)
Near The Iceland Trail, British Columbia Canada
Hallel ( the Hallel (Psalms 113-118) is chanted at this point. Since the Holy Spirit dwells within the hearts and minds of those who call upon him, it is acceptable to chant these Psalms in your own language. However, considering that Jesus Christ probably prayed and chanted these prayers on Palm Sunday during the days before he was crucified there is also merit in studying the original Hebrew. On Rosh Chodesh and the last six days of Pesach a half Hallel which has the lines of Psalm 115 1-155 and Psalm 116 1-11 omitted is chanted. During Hannukah/Christmas Christian hymns can and should be sung. For example: Joy to the World, Angels we have Heard on High, Hark the Herald Angels Sing go very well with the Hallel)
In the Seder the whole Hallel is divided into two parts and also with respect to the teaching and chanting portions by four cups of wine (which represent the salvation, redemption, sanctification, and justification of our souls). Psalms 113 and 114 come before the ratzah. the motzah, and the Matzah (see the grouping of the 15 Seder steps elsewhere in this blog). These psalms help us remember how God reaches out to the poor and helpless (psalm 113), how the created divine environmental nature is involved in our salvation (psalm 114), After these steps and the maror, the korech, the Shulchan Orech (the meal) and the Afikiman (the Tzafun) the rest of the Barech (the after meal grace with its three portions due to Moses, thanking God for the Exodus. Due to Joshua, thanking him for bringing us into the promised land (fulfilling the justification of our souls and spirits). And, the portion due to David and Solomon (thanking him for the Holy Temple of his presence inside of US) the rest of the Hallel is chanted. These psalms (115,116,117, and 118) come after a portion invoking the help of the prophet Elijah and the Messiah to come against our enemies where a fifth cup of wine is poured. This portion is called the Sh’phach. And, in my opinion, it is better to associate the coming of the Messiah as a blessing for us all together. Therefore we should pray and ask that he bring king love and forgiveness for everyone more than he brings it just for some and retribution and harsh justice for those who are a part of us. Has not Jesus Christ already taught us that our enemies are just the ones that it is most important for our salvation and redemption that we love and forgive?
An original transliteration and translation from the Hebrew of this last part of the Hallel by Andrew as it appears written in “A Passover Haggadah” by Elie Wiesel as the fourteenth step in the Jewish Seder
Selections from some of the prayers of praise in Psalm s 115 and 116
Lo lanu Adonai, lo lanu, kay l’sheem’ach tayn, kavod, ayl chas’d’ach, ayl ameetehach.
Not for us Lord, not for us, but for the sake of the glory and grace in your name, in your loving kindness, and in your truth.
Lamah amru hagoyim, esh na elohayhem bashamayem; kola aser chaphaytz aseh.
Why should the gentile nations say, “Where is our God?”. Our God is in the heavens, and he does what he desires (wills).
Atzbayhehm kehsehf v’zahav, masheeh y’day adom.
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of the hands of man.
Peh lahem v’lo y’daybayru, aynayim lahem v’lo yayr’a.
They have mouths, but they cannot talk, eyes but they cannot see.
Az’naym lahem v’lo yaysh’maru af lahem v’lo y’dayhu.
Ears, but they cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.
Y’dayhem v’lo y’mayshon, rag’layhem v’lo y’halaychu;
They have hands but cannot feel with them, feet which cannot walk;
Lo yeh’gu bheg’ronah ch’mohem y’h’yu ashayhem, chol aser btach bahem.
They cannot make sounds with their throats, their makers, and all who trust in them, shall become like them.
Israel, bh’tach b’Adonai ehz’ram vmageenam hu.
Israel trust in Adonai (Our Lord), He is their help and shield!
Bayt Aharon, bheetachu b’Adonai az’ram v’mageernam Hu.
House of Aharon, trust in Adonai, He is their help and shield!
Y’ray Adonai, bh’’hu Adonai az’ram v’mageenam Hu.
Those that fear the Lord…trust in the Lord (Adonai). He is their help and shield.
Adonai z’charanu y’barayach, y’barayach et bayt Israel, y’barayach et bayt Aharon.
May the Lord remember us and bless us, may He bless the house of Israel, may he bless the house of Aaron.
Y’barach yeer’ay Adonai, hak’tanaym am hag’doleem.
May all those who fear the Lord be blessed, the small and the great.
Y’sayf Adonai alaychehm, alaychehm v’al bh’naychehm.
May the Lord increase his blessings unto you, unto you and your children.
Bh’rochaym atem l’Adonai, asayh shamaym varehtz.
May you be blessed by the Lord who made with his hands heaven and earth.
Hashamaym shamaym l’Adonai, v’aretz natan leebh’nay adam.
The heaven of the heavens is the Lord’s, but the earth he gave to Adam (humankind).
Lo hamayteem y’hallellu Jah, v’lo kal yir’day domah.
The dead do not praise Jah, nor those that sink into silence.
Vaanch’nu n’barach Jah matah v’ad olam; Hallelujah.
But we will bless Jah, now and forever; Hallelujah.
Psalm 116
Ahab’tay kay yesh’ma Adonai et kolay, t’chanunay.
I love it when the Lord hears my call, receiving my appeal .
Kay heetah az’nu lay, vb’yamay ehk’ra.
For he has turned his ear to me, when I called.
Aphaph’unay chehv’lay moeht, vm’tzaray sh’aol m’tza’onay; zerah v‘yagon ehm’tz.
I have been surrounded by bonds of death, and caught in a narrow path of distress; faced by trouble and sorrow.
V’b’shaym Adonai ehk’ra, anah Adonai, mal’tah naph’shay.
I called on the name of the Lord, “Please Lord…save my my soul!”
Chanon Adonai v’tzarayq, v’Elohaynu m’racham.
Gracious is the Lord and righteous…In compassion, He is our God.;
Shamayr ph’taaym Adonay; dal’tay v’lay y’hoshay…
The Lord guards the simple; I was poor and ailing and he saved me.
Shobay nayph’shay leem’nochaychay, kay Adonai gamal alay’chay.
Rest my soul, again, for the Lord has been kind to you.
Chay cheelaytzata naph’shay meemaot, et anaynay meen deem’ah, et rag’lay meedehtay.
For he has delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
Et’halach leeph’nay Adonai, bh’ar’tzot hachayeem.
I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
Haem’n’ay chay adaybayr, anay an’yatay m’od.
I kept faith with what had been spoken..I cried out even.
Anay emayr’tay, kal hadam kzav.
I cried out in my affliction, “All mankind is a liar.”
Mah ashayv l’Adonai kal tag’mol’otay alay. Chos y’shoaot asha, v’b’shaym Adonai ehk’ra.
How shall I repay the Lord for all his blessings? I shall raise the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.
N’deray l’Adonai ashalaym, nehg’dah-na l’chehl amu.
I will redeem my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Y’kar bh’aynay Adonai hamaotah lachasaydayy anah Adonai, chay anay eb’dehach, any eb’dehach ben amehtahach;pheet’h’ta l’mosaray.
The death of his faithfully beloved is difficult to the Lord’s eyes. Please, Lord, I am your servant, I am the child of your handmaiden, You have released my bonds.
L’ach ehz’bhach zehvah todah, vb’shaym Adonai ehk’ra.
I will sacrifice to you an offering of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the Lord
N’daray l’Adonai ashalam, nehg’dah-na l’cal amu.
In the presence of all his people I will redeem my vows to the Lord.
Bh’chatz’rot bhayt Adonai, bh’tocaycay Jerushalem: Hallelujah!
In the courts of the House of the Lord in Jerusalem..Halleluah!
Counting the Omer
April 2
Seven Thoughts About Loving Kindness
(Chesed)**
1st day
Chesed of Chesed
Loving kindness is compassionate
and forgiving
(it does not keep a record of wrong)
2nd day
Gevurah of Chesed
Loving kindness is stronger than death
(Song of Songs)
3rd day
Tiferet of Chesed
Loving kindness seeks more to give
than receive. (It is beautiful)
4th day
Netzach of Chesed
Loving kindness is patient
(while having integrity and supporting the rights of others)
5th day
Hod of Chesed
Loving kindness is obedient and submissive
to God’s will (it therefore shares in his glory)
6th day
Yesod of Chesed
Loving kindness rejoices not in wrong
intentions, but in the truth (2 Corinthians)
7th day
Malkuth of Chesed
Loving kindness fears God and does not consider what will happen to itself.
(This is its royalty)
**note: For those who believe we are at many moments of our lives living right now, in the fullness of time in God’s heavenly present moment we will return to this topic considering passages from the Book of Romans, Chapter 12, during week seven of our Pentecost/Shavuos this year.
April 9
Seven Thoughts About Goodness and Justice
(Along with Gevurah…strength)
1st day of the weekly count, 8th day of the omer count
Chesed of Gevurah
“The quality of mercy(justice) is not strained.”
(its definition is not tightly controlled)
William Shakespeare
“Let justice roll like water and righteousness
Like a mighty stream.” Jewish Prayer Service
2nd day of the weekly count, 9th day of the omer count
Gevurah of Gevurah
“Justice is freedom combined with equality.”
Mortimer Adler, Six Great Ideas *
3rd day of the weekly count, 10th day of the omer count
Tiferet of Gevurah
Justice is everyone and everything
participating in its virtue (its good according to its kind or its concept) Plato, The Republic
4th day of the weekly count, 11th day of the omer count
Netzach of Gevurah
No good fruit (end) can come from a bad tree
(bad means). No bad fruit (end) can come from a good
Tree(good means).” Jesus Christ according to the
Gospel of Matthew
Good defines evil, evil defines good, good comes
From good, evil from evil.”
Sefirah Yetzirah, Book V.
5th day of the weekly count, 12th day of the omer count
Hod of Gevurah
Good – What is desirable for its own sake
6th day of the weekly count, 13th day of the omer count
Yesod of Gevurah
divine order—a rightful (according to a sound
everlasting principle)** procession of truth from Beginning as good faith to its correspondence And completion as a realization in one of us or
All of us or the World around us.
7th day of the weekly count, 14th day of the omer count
Malkuth of Gevurah
‘You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”
Joseph to his brother, story in the Torah
*An idea is a representation in our minds of a thought. A concept can be distinguished from a perception in that it has a likeness class (that is likeness or non-visual intellectual thought as opposed to an image or perception). Concepts themselves have likeness classes. Therefore a great idea is a synonym for a likeness class of a concept.
** Being divine, this correspondence can only take place inside of a field of being which has its existence as a part of God’s name. Furthermore, in order for God to have a name he must be a unique individual, that is, a one.
April 16
Seven Thoughts About Beauty
(Tiferet)
1st day of the weekly count,15th day of the omer count
Chesed of Tiferet
“Beauty is controlled grace.”
Leonardo da Vince
Renaissance Christian Definition
2nd day of the weekly count, 16th day of the omer count
Gevurah of Tiferet
“Awareness is a mirror reflecting the four
elements. Beauty is a heart that generates
Love and a mind that is open.”
Thich Nhat Hanh,- Buddhist Gatha ***
3rd day of the weekly count, 17th day of the omer count
Tiferet of Tiferet
“Beauty is understanding that which is
desirable for its own sake. Love is aspiring
Upward toward eternal beauty.”
Saint Augustine, Confessions.
4th day of the weekly count, 18th day of the omer count
Netzach of Tiferet
“And, why do you worry about clothes? See
how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor
Or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in
All his splendor was dressed like one of these.
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field,
Which is here today and gone tomorrow and is
Thrown into the fire, will he not much more
Clothe you. O you of little faith?”—Jesus Christ
Gospel of Matthew
5th day of the weekly count, 19th day of the omer count “
Hod of Tiferet
“As long as we have bodies, we must inhabit the dwellings prepared for us by our good sister the Soul in her vast powers of labourless creation.”
Plotinus, Second Ennead, Chapter 9, verse 18. The Great Books, Edited by Mortimer Adler, U. of Chicago Press.
The beautiful is that which pleases us on being seen.”
Saint Thomas Aquinas
“The beautiful is that which pleases us upon being contemplated.”
Immanuel Kant
6th day of the weekly count, 20th day of the omer count
Yesod of Tiferet
“Truth is beauty and beauty truth, that
is all you know and all you need to know.”
Keats—viewpoint of a poet
“Your love, O YHWH, reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness
Is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the
Great deep…For with you is the fountain of life,
In your light we see light.” View of King David
About why God is beautiful
7th day of the weekly count, 21 day of the omer count
Malkuth of Tiferet
“We must always remember that beauty is a partial thing,
that cannot be identified with what pervades the whole;
nor can several objects be stated as everything.”
Plotinus ibid, verse 17.
“Pretty is as pretty does.” Protestant
Christian saying passed down in the Calohan
Family (from Alma May Calohan) to her
Daughter Virginia Calohan Harrell
*** Quoted from “Present Moment, Wondelful Moment: Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living.”( 1990) by Thich Nhat Hanh with permission of Parallax Press, Berkeley California.
April 23
Seven Thoughts About Patience and Integrity
(Netzach)
1st day of the weekly count,22th day of the omer count
Chesed of Netzach
“Let not mercy and kindness forsake you.”
Sanctify the name of God
with our love
“Withold not good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.”[Romans 13:7; Gal. 6:10]*
2nd day of the weekly count, 23 day of the omer count
Gevurah of Netzach
Exalt and lift up the name of God*
“Keep sound and godly wisdom and discretion.”
“Be not afraid of sudden terror and panic.”
“For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught.”
3rd day of the weekly count, 24th day of the omer count
Tiferet of Netzach
Bless the name of God
bring it into our consciousness
“Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord.”*
4th day of the weekly count,25th day of the omer count
Netzach of Netzach
“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all you heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.” *
Rest in the name of God
(with patience)
5th day of the weekly count, 26th day of the omer count
Hod of Netzach
Give glory to the name of God
“Happy is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding. For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold…more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her. [Job 28:12 -18] Length of days are in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are of peace “* #
6th day of the weekly count,27th day of the omer count
Yesod of Netzach
Praise the name of God
(in eternal life)
“Do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary or impatient about or loathe or abhor his reproof. For whom the Lord loves, he corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” *
7th day of the weekly count, 28th day of the omer count
Malkuth of Netzach
Honor the name of God
“Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labours] and with the firstfruits of all your income; so shall your storage places be filled with plenty.” *
* Most of these thoughts are contained in the 3rd chapter of the Book of the Proverbs of King Solomon
# For those who gain wisdom, will eventually learn to have peace of mind, and, as my Buddhist prayer partners teach, peace of mind is, dear friends, our most precious attainment and highest happiness. For if we have this, God can supply us with the rest of the riches of the glories in Christ he has prepared for us through the divine order of his providence and the hidden protections that the small, but important, parts of each of us play in his great plans for all of us (the contributions of each of us being tied together in a huge and complex network of salvation, the stronger for the fact that the temporary loss or transformation of any part of it can be made up by the reserve forces contained in the rest).
April 30th
Seven Thoughts About Obedience and Glory
(Hod)
Some twofold thoughts from the Birkat H’shir, Blessing of Song
Which is part of the 15 expressions of praise of God in the Yishtabach prayer
1st day of the weekly count, 29th day of the omer count
Chesed of Hod
b’arachot v’hodaot
blessings and thanks
2nd day of the weekly count, 30th day of the omer count
Gevurah of Hod
k’dehshah v’malchot
holiness and dominion
3rd day of the weekly count, 31st day of the omer count
Tiferet of Hod
t’ehllah v’tiferet
psalm singing and beauty
4th day of the weekly count, 32nd day of the omer count
Netzach of Hod
Rest,eternally, in the name of God
(with patience)
5th day of the weekly count, 33rd day of the omer count
Hod of Hod
az v’mem’shalah strong help and power
6th day of the weekly count, 34th day of the omer count
Yesod of Hod
hallayl v’zim’rah
(praise or veneration and melodies)
7th day of the weekly count, 35th day of the omer count
Malkuth of Hod
song and praise