
It is the day of Gevurah within Gevurah, discipline within discipline. On this day, I am thinking about the discipline I use in exercising power and authority. I consider the judgment I use in directing, advising, teaching and reproving other people. I recognize that I am a better parent when I am measured and controlled in offering guidance and in setting and enforcing limits for my children.
On this ninth day of the Counting of the Omer, I make a commitment to be mindful of ways that my use of power can become skewed by the desire for more power, and the way that my use of authority can be distorted by anger, fear, pride or jealousy. I also think about having the inner strength to use my power and abilities to address wrongs and to confront evil in the world.
My grandmother was one of the last of her kind – a proud and proper German-Jewish lady of the American South. She was a formidable presence in the Jewish community of Atlanta, Georgia. Although she would have nothing to do with such spiritual nonsense as the Counting of the Omer, the meaning of this day's Omer counting fits her like a glove. Irma Goldwasser was disciplined – in the way she spoke, the way she dressed, the way she conducted business, the way she supported the arts and Jewish institutions, and in the way that she looked after the people she cared about. Zichronah livrachah, may her memory be a blessing.
May you be blessed this day in the way you set a course for yourself to be wise and just in your use of your many powers and abilities.
For the introduction to the Counting of the Omer, click on this link:
The First Day of the Counting of the Omer