The year, parashiyot, and the Etz Hayyim
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Shanah Tovah !
Rabbi David Wolfe-Blank zt”l’s work
Rabbi David Wolfe Blank zt”l left many gifts; Meta Parshiot, Meta Siddur, Mahzorim, and much more. They offer deep and accessible insights into Jewish practice and mysticism. In Meta Parshiot 5755 he modeled, in some detail, a potent transformative practice – counting the weeks of the year through the lens of the Etz Hayyim. We will turn to his writings for guidance. As a result of our work, may R David’s neshamah have an aliyah as we deepen through the methods he brought forward.
Why count the Parashiyot ?
Counting the parashiyot offers insight into why life on Earth unfolds as it does. Patterns and potencies make themselves known. The Torah portion and placement on the Etz Hayyim are meaningful references for day to day life. The Holy One of blessing transmits differently throughout the year. The internal tendencies of Winter solstice and Chanukah differ from the Summer solstice (near Shavuot). The Spring and Autumnal equinoxes offer balance for T’shuvah and Tikkun of the High holidays and Pesah. Each Torah portion and its relationship to the Etz Hayyim offers insights and wisdom that helps humans surf the waves of day to day life in a meaningful way. This is a method of expanding your sacred internal container and making more space for Presence your in life.
Cultivating Presence through Counting the Omer
The spiritual practice of “Counting the Omer” between Pesah and Shavuot is powerful. The holy rabbi, Bnai Yisaskhar, teaches everyone receives a spiritual lift on Pesah. It is not earned. This is wonderful, mostly. This means the elevation dissipates quickly. There is no container to hold it. Pesah is the holy day associated with Hesed‘s expansiveness and limitless grace.
This means that the spiritual reason for counting the omer between Pesah and Shavuot is to develop a container (k’li) to hold revelation received on Shavuot. It is the anniversary of receiving Torah, a time designated for new revelation. Through Counting the Omer, revelation has a place to land and remains following the holiday. G’vurah (contraction) is associated with Shavuot.
Textures in Time – how it works
In Textures in Time 5782, each of the seven S’firot are counted through the lens of each of the seven S’firot, similar to counting the Omer. This creates 49 aspects (S’firah in a S’firah) for contemplation. One of these aspects is matched considered alongside the weekly parashah. The resulting meditations and insights are potent.
G!D Willing, there will be ample opportunity to explore nuances of the Divine Attributes this year as I intend to blog weekly about this (bli neder).
It brings me great pleasure to share this practice and cultivate insight and delight. Join us on this journey through space and time.
Tool for the journey
click here for tree of life/torah portion associations
https://www.dropbox.com/s/j56pjkzo4ye8ewl/SfirotandParshiyot5782updated.xlsx?dl=0n associations
Brakhot,
Rabbi T’mimah Ickovits
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