COUNTING THE COUNT, CIRCLES IN CIRCLES
adapted from Meta-Parshyot 5755 by R David Wolfe-Blank, Bnai Yisaskhar, The Living Torah R Aryeh Kaplan, with art by Barbara Mendes
1) Reflections on the Torah portion and its count in the Etz Hayyim (Tree of Life)
2) Torah from Bnay Yisaskhar Nissan 12:4 Counting the Omer
SYNOPSIS
This Torah portion seems to be a continuation of the previous one, K’doshim.
In the previous Torah, K’doshim, holiness codes were given. Their guidance was around holiness, abstinence, discrimination, etc., about issues faced by community members, the Yisrael community. The direction given in Emor focuses on the behavior of the Kohanim (Priestly class) in sanctuary work and festival rituals.
The first two chapters are about Kohanim and include special rules for mourning, marriage, and certain physical ailments that disqualify them for participating in some temple rituals. The next chapter deals with Shabbat and holidays. The fourth chapter returns to the duty of the Kohanim; to keep the lamp burning at all times and to place fresh hallah on the sanctuary table every Shabbat. Next, a story concerning blasphemy of God‘s name is presented. Then, laws concerning the crimes of murder and the killing of animals. Emor ends with the vital idea that there shall be equal treatment for strangers and Israelites alike under the law. In the Haftorah, the prophet Ezekiel reassures the people that God has neither forgotten nor rejected them.
EMOR COUNTS SH’KHINAH IN NETZAH IN THE PARASHAH COUNT
Parashat Emor completes this year’s journey into Netzah. Instead of Netzah lasting seven weeks, like most of the other S’firot this year, it has taken 12 weeks to complete Netzah. That is Netzah being Netzah, going on and on and on…..
Netzah has such a spacious quality of fortitude and endurance, like a bungee cord. It resides right there under Hesed with its super abundance of boundarylessness. It’s a wonder we were able to get out of its influence at all. Nessa just hangs in there until victory is achieved or eternity happens. Which ever happens first.
In a leap year, we count on the quality of Netzah as being incredibly meticulous. Netzah squeezes out every last detail. It considers every angle in complete dressed preparation to bring everything we’ve been working on on our journey to Sh’khinah. Emor, Speak suggests Sh’khinah in that She is the arena of speech, communication with another, and the birthing of progeny.
B’NAY YISASKHAR
OFFERS COMMENTARY ON THIS VERSE:
And you shall count for yourselves from the day following The Shabbat, the day after you bring the waved omer, seven T’mimot* weeks they shall be. Until the day following the seven weeks, you will count 50 days, and invoke a closer new resting place for Havayah
וּסְפַרְתֶּם לָכֶם מִמָּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת מִיוֹם הֲבִיאֲכֶם אֶת עוֹמֶר הַתְּנוּפָה. שֶׁבַע שַׁבָּתוֹת תְּמִימוֹת תִּהְיֶינָה. עַד מִמָּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת הַשְּׁבִיעִית תִּסְפְּרוּ חֲמִשִּׁים יוֹם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם מִנְחָה חֲדָשָׁה להויה
Leviticus 23:15
*T’mimot translates as – complete, not lacking, simple, innocent, whole, perfect, sound, whole-hearted – holistic
Bnay Yisaskhar Section 12:4
THE QUESTION
In Midrash, Rabbi Hiyya taught about the verse, “and you will count for yourselves… Seven “Tmimot” weeks they will be’, so when are they “T’mimot”? when Yisrael is doing the will of Hamakom” (Hamakom is a Name of God. Literally it means place), end quote. This is a wonder (question) in the eyes of all who see this.
It seems to me that his difficulty was with the word Teeheeyenah (there will be) because it’s not explained further. How is it that Hashem of blessing would direct that these seven weeks be “T’mimot”* – time is not in our hands.
This being true, the true explanation is that they are “T’mimot” in time… etc.
PESAH LIGHT AND SHAVUOT LIGHT
The* high consciousness that is lit up, as it were, is called Ratzon (Desire, Will). We wrote previously that the lighting up of consciousness that happens on the first day of Pesah is not a result of the actions of our hands and so, does not sustain. The Holy One of Blessing directs us to do the Mitzvah of Counting the Omer. Then, day after day, we make consciousness light up by means of our actions and (now) they can sustain. “Tameem” in The Holy Tongue means something that has no lack, and this being true, it has a foundation and can sustain.
Proof of this is in Psalm 37:18
יח יוֹדֵעַ יְהוָה, יְמֵי תְמִימִם; וְנַחֲלָתָם, לְעוֹלָם תִּהְיֶה
Havayah Knows the waves of the T’mimim; and their inheritance shall be eternal.
According to this, let’s better explain the words of Reb Hiyya as it relates to his difficulty with the word “Teeheeyenah,” for time is not in our hands. This is his commentary,Indeed and today as we give a better explanation of “seven holistic weeks they will be.” Truly they will be T’mimot when Yisrael does the will of Makom.
*(T’mimot (Tom, T’mimah, Tamim)– full, not lacking, simple, innocent, whole, perfect, sound, whole-hearted, holistic…)
The Torah heard through the lit-up consciousness manifesting the first evening (of Pesah) is not called “T’mimot,” for that light has no foundation or sustainability. This is because we did not bring this forward employing our actions. (We did not earn it.)
Therefore, Hashem of Blessing commanded, You will count… seven Shabbatot T’mimot they will be during the time Yisrael does the Will (Ratzon [Keter]) of Makom . That is that by means of means of Yisrael’s actions consciousness will be lit up and then they will be T’mimot in sustainability. Understand.
This Shabbat Netzah in Sh’khinah is counted in the traditional Omer and in the Torah Portion Count. Wheels in Wheels creating exponential potency.
This is the time of year, many count the Omer. It is meaningful explore both and contemplate their interplay.
This Shabbat, something exceptional is going on; Sh’khinah in Netzah is counted in this wheel of counting Torah portions and the classical omer count. It is a sacred alignment, and so, Netzah in Sh’khinah is glowing extra brightly.
It is a good sign. Earth’s ability to sustain humanity is in question. Netzah in Sh’khinah points to an ongoing presence of the Divine Feminine. She will help sustain and rehabilitate this beautiful green planet. Humans need help, and this intersection offers a sense of sustainability is in the local cosmos. May we be blessed to be guided peacefully by Sh’khinah’s knowing Presence.
Advantages and Benefits
A fantastic benefit of staying the course day by day and doing the work of contemplating the 49 lenses is the awareness cultivated. Counting the omer was my first step in profoundly engaging with Kabbalah models and reflecting the presence of the attributes in my day to day life. It brought forward a deep connection with the web of life and curiosity about the intricacies. The refinement that follows offers an ongoing a source of joy, comfort, ease, light and efficacy.
