Counting the Omer: Day 34 — Be Who You Really Are
Tamara Kline
Today is day 34 of the Omer. The two energy centers we systematically combine today are Yesod and Hod (See background explanation below).
Yesod represents the power of connection. It is the foundation and connection between G-d and earth (see Sephirot diagram below). It symbolically occurs in the body representing sexual energy.
Hod represents another aspect of connection and can be translated as the ability to fully acknowledge others. In psychological terms, hod represents empathy and the ability to accept and allow others to be who they are, not who we want them to be.
As you combine these two energies today, ask yourself: Do I fully allow myself to be who I am – and allow others to be who they are? Can I truly celebrate my own uniqueness and the uniqueness of others?
Background explanation
The 49-day Counting of the Omer is a 49-step process designed to inspire us, refine us, and help prepare us spiritually for receiving the Torah on Shavuot.
Some traditions state that each of the 7 weeks symbolize one of G-d’s seven emotional attributes and gives us an opportunity to contemplate and cultivate more of that particular attribute or virtue in our own life.
Each day of the week represents one of the 7 attributes as well, which gives us 49 ways of being in the world to consider and explore for ourselves.
The 7 emotional attributes or virtues are:
1. Chesed – Loving-kindness
2. Gevurah – Justice and discipline
3. Tiferet – Harmony, compassion
4. Netzach – Endurance
5. Hod – Humility
6. Yesod – Bonding
7. Malchut – Sovereignty, leadership
