Tonight begins the twenty-sixth day of the Counting of the Omer, three weeks and five days. It is the day of the divine quality of Hod within Netzach, Humility within Endurance. Does your recognition of your limitations help you to dream big, or does it just give you an excuse not to try?

Tonight begins the twenty-fifth day of the Counting of the Omer, three weeks and four days. It is the day of the divine quality of Netzach within Netzach, Endurance within Endurance. It is a day to ask ourselves whether we are consistently reliable to others and to ourselves. Ask yourself: Is my “will power” a power that lasts? Do I persist for what I know is right?

This has been a difficult week for our country, testing our ability to endure through traumatic events, especially those in the City of Boston. It is important to remember that the purpose of terrorism is to disorient and frighten us. We defeat terrorism through our determination to live without fear and secure in our values.

Tonight begins the twenty-fourth day of the Counting of the Omer, three weeks and three days. It is the day of the divine quality of Tiferet within Netzach, Balance within Endurance. Ambition to do what is right can change the world. Do your ambitions match the size of your vision of the world as it should be?

Tonight begins the twenty-third day of the Counting of the Omer, three weeks and two days. It is the day of the divine quality of Gevurah within Netzach, Discipline within Endurance. True endurance comes from self-discipline. Is your drive to achieve rooted in your spiritual strength, or is it just your fear of failure?

Tonight begins the twenty-second day of the Counting of the Omer, three weeks and one day. It is the day of the divine quality of Chesed within Netzach, Love within Endurance. Today is a day to ask ourselves if our ambitions are driven by a desire to serve others or by selfishness. How are your life goals informed by compassion?

Tonight begins the twenty-first day of the Counting of the Omer, three weeks. It is the day of the divine quality of Malchut within Tiferet, Nobility within Balance. The pursuit of balance demands courage, dignity and integrity. When we take control of our lives in this way, we also help others to find peace and balance in their lives as well.

On this day of tragedy, I wish you courage in facing the forces of hate. Keeping courageous balance is a weapon against terror.

Tonight begins the twentieth day of the Counting of the Omer, two weeks and six days. It is the day of the divine quality of Yesod within Tiferet, Foundation within Balance. Seeking balance in life should not be an isolating experience. Our lives grow more full and fulfilling when they are built upon the foundation of our relationships.

Tonight begins the nineteenth day of the Counting of the Omer, two weeks and five days. It is the day of the divine quality of Hod within Tiferet, Humility within Balance. It is easy for us to allow our egos to swell as large as our abilities and accomplishments, but that can only lead to a life out of balance. We cannot grow as human beings if we are not tempered by gratitude and the recognition that life been given to us as a gift beyond our deserving. How does humility bring balance to your life?

Tonight begins the eighteenth day of the Counting of the Omer, two weeks and four days. It is the day of the divine quality of Netzach within Tiferet, Endurance within Balance. The Jewish concept of a balanced life is not one of passivity or acquiescence. We are asked to actively strive toward a world of peace and wholeness. How does your ambition serve the goal of balance?

Tonight begins the seventeenth day of the Counting of the Omer, two weeks and three days. It is the day of the divine quality of Tiferet within Tiferet, Balance within Balance. A life that is in balance is not necessarily without difficulty or strife. True balance comes when we accept others as they are, but also work to fix what is broken in the world. It comes with recognizing our own limitations while striving to reach toward our aspirations' greatest heights.