As we come to the parting of the sea on Pesach, we’re all being taken on a journey to develop more awareness about the spirituality that’s hidden within Life itself. The Counting of the Omer, which begins on Tuesday evening, was designed to give us more insight about ourselves.
How do we reach the inner core of who we really are, and discover where we are in our understanding of life?
Simply being a good person is an important beginning, but there’s a need to peel away the layers of hurt and maybe fear, to uncover the true vulnerability of every mortal human being. As each layer is released it leaves a sting on the heart. Every sense of letting go creates a vacuum of uncertainty: If I give up my cherished possessions—either material objects or my adamant beliefs—will I still be me in the way I’ve always been, or will I become less than my true self? Can I trust this inner process of searching for meaning, or am I simply losing my mind?
This is when we need to know the teachings of the sages: those who’ve gone before us and carved out the way to follow. Their words are in our prayers, our psalms, our proverbs, and in so many ancient stories where people are on their quest to reach the highest understanding—to search for hidden treasure, concealed within the soul, or to reach the King, who can unravel the mysteries of life.
But it’s not enough for us to simply say their words. If we don’t know where we are, or why we’re doing what we’re doing in our Judaic culture, or why so many people have gradually left the fold, we won’t be able to develop a deeper understanding of why we remain committed to it.
As soon as we’re ready to gradually allow the restrictive layers in the shadows of our mind to be explored and integrated, we’ll start to notice the gentle easing of our concerns and fears as they fall away, and we’ll be able to experience the promised inner peace of trust that can nourish our soul and take us home.
Please join us as we study teachings from the Jewish sages on the counting of the omer. Then we’ll follow with a short meditation on the Shema.
Date: Saturday, April 12th
Time: 5.25 pm. (Before Mincha)
Location: Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Beit Midrash (downstairs)