Counting the Omer: Day 21 — Malchut of Tiferet / Kingdom within Compassion
Tara Rose
Background
The counting of the Omer uses the tree of life, the system of divine energies (of G-d) located in the body, mind, heart, and soul to help us be our best and ready us to receive Torah through spiritual preparation.
Malchut of Tiferet
Tiferet (compassion) is the sixth of the sephirot and is in the middle of our body, our center. The word Tiferet is associated with beauty and compassion, as well as the words: spirituality, balance, integration, and miracles.
Malchut (kingdom) is the tenth of the sephirot in the tree of life and sits at the very bottom of the tree. Unlike the other nine sephirot, Malchut or kingdom is not an aspect of G-d, but rather it is what emanates or manifests from G-d’s creation and glory. It is often thought of as what is manifested in this world, on earth, by G-d.
What is Malchut within Tiferet?
When we look around the earth, in G-d’s Kingdom, what do we notice that is beautiful? Where we see G-d’s work? A single incredible leaf? Flowers? Sunsets? Magnificent mountains?
The Ma’ariv Aravim, one of the prayers from our Friday night Shabbat service, reminds us of G-d’s beauty:
“… Adonai our G-d, who are continually manifesting the universe,
You show Yourself in the falling dusk,
And as the gates of heaven open to a new day,
We see You in the cycles of time,
In the succession of seasons,
And in the courses of celestial bodies…”
The prayer helps us to see G-d’s manifested beauty. And where do we see G-d’s compassion? When we notice compassion in others – how often do we see G-d’s work? Does our mind think that way – to see G-d’s compassion in others? Does our heart sense that compassion?
The task is for each of us to do our own spiritual preparation during the counting of the Omer — so how do we take these qualities of G-d, find it within ourselves, and then strengthen those qualities?
How do we create and add to beauty on earth and in the universe?
Today, find that part of G-d within you – and manifest Tiferet – beauty and compassion in the world.
