Today’s learning is dedicated to the refuah sheleima of Simcha Nosson ben Zissel

Each day of the omer period is associated with a different aspect of the sefirot. And on that day, everything that everyone in the whole world is talking about is purely an expression of the particular aspect associated with that day. A person with understanding can hear and recognize this if he pays attention to what people are saying.   —   Likutey Moharan I, 182

The sefiros represent Hashem’s “behaviors,” so to speak. Of course, Hashem is beyond comprehension, but the sefiros reveal to us the aspects of Hashem’s “personality” as we perceive Him in this world. As Rabbi Yaacov Haber explains, “The sefiros represent our finite understanding of the infinite.”

There are ten sefiros with which Hashem created and interacts with the world. They are Chochma (wisdom), Bina (understanding), Daas (knowledge), Chesed (lovingkindness), Gevurah (strength), Tiferes (glory / beauty), Netzach (victory), Hod (splendor), Yesod (foundation) and Malchus (kingship). These are divided into two categories – the upper three sefiros (Chochma, Bina and Daas) and the lower seven.  

The qualities of all that exist in this world, including people, places, things, events, etc. are derived from these divine emanations. As Rabbi Chaim Kramer explains, “Coffee’s bitter taste relates to Gevurah (Strength); sugars sweetness to Chesed (Lovingkindness); an inspiring sunset to Tiferet (Beauty); a sports team winning the championship to Netzach (Victory); a magazine’s issue on the spring collection to Hod (Splendor), etc.”

The Torah instructs us to count the omer, the forty-nine days from the second day of Pesach until Shavuos. Each week of the omer corresponds to one of the seven lower sefiros. The first week is Chesed, the second week is Gevurah, etc. Additionally, each day of the week corresponds to one of the seven lower sub-sefiros. For example, the first day of the first week corresponds to Chesed of Chesed, the second day of the first week refers to Gevurah of Chesed, and so on. The first day of the second week corresponds to Chesed of Gevurah, the second day of that week is Gevurah of Gevurah, and so on.

We were created in the image of Hashem and are expected to emulate His ways. As the verse states, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: Be holy, because I, the Lord your G-d, am Holy.”

When we analyze the various sefiros or “characteristics,” we increase our knowledge and understanding of Hashem. Then, we are better equipped to walk in His ways.

These 49 days are an auspicious time to show respect for one another and to rid ourselves of any character traits that may lead us to contempt. The Talmud relates that, because they did not honor each other, all 24,000 students of Rebbi Akiva perished between Pesach and Shavuos. Rebbi Akiva’s students were very learned, but they failed to apply their knowledge in practice.

As Rebbe Nachman teaches, “To achieve complete fulfillment a person must be developed in his character and learned in Torah at once and the same time. Our Sages said, ‘An unlearned person cannot be pious.’ On the other hand, to be learned by itself is useless. It is possible to be learned and completely wicked… But when a person is both learned in Torah and pious in his actions, he is like an angel of G-d. He shapes the letters of the Torah for good and brings life and goodness into the world. One who mistakenly believes that the main thing is just to be learned is like Acher (Rabbi Elisha ben Abuyah, the notorious scholar-turned-nonbeliever in the Talmud).” (Lekutey Eitzot, Talmud Torah # 32)

As Rabbi Dovid Feinstein zt’l said, “When Yidden get up after learning Torah, they should be more compassionate, kinder, with more room in their heart for others. If that doesn’t happen, then they didn’t really learn it, and should sit down and learn it again.”

Placing great emphasis on this, Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin said, “This is the entirety of man; not for himself was man created, but instead to help others to the extent of his ability to do so.”

We refer to Hashem as “Our Father, our King.” Hashem treats us as a Father, so long as we treat one another as brothers and sisters. 

Lastly, by scrutinizing and developing our character traits, we begin to have a better understanding of our own strengths and weaknesses. As Rabbi Yisrael of Salant said, “A person lives with himself for seventy years, and after it is all over, he still does not know himself.”

Similarly, Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz said, “Woe to a man who is unaware of his faults – he is not attentive to what needs repair. But double woe to he who is unaware of his virtues – he is unskilled in the tools of his trade!”

These days of introspection provide clarity, they provide an awareness that enables us to truly reach our full potential.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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