49 days, seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot
22 Nisan 5773 | April 2, 2013
7th Day of the Omer
Praying means giving up your false security, no longer looking for arguments which will protect you if you get pushed into a corner and no longer setting your hope on a couple of lighter moments which your life might still offer...
Each time you dare to let go and to surrender one of those many fears, your hand opens a little and your palms spread out in a gesture of receiving. You must be patient, of course, very patient until your hands are completely open.
It is a long spiritual journey of trust, for behind each fist another one is hiding, and sometimes the process seems endless. Much has happened in our life to make all these fists, and at any hour of the day or night you might find yourself clenching your fists again out of fear.
You become a person only when you are capable of standing open to all the gifts which are prepared for you.
Henri J. M. Nouwen, With Open Hands
Baruch Ata Adonai Elo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam a-sher ke-d-sha-nu b- mitz-vo-tav, v-tzi-va-nu al s-fi-rat ha-omer.
Praised be you Adonai our God who rules the Universe instilling within us the holiness of mitzvot by commanding us to count the Omer.
Today is the seventh day - one week of the Omer.