This week we focus on the sephira of Yesod, usually thought of as "foundation". Foundation means a number of things: the part of the building that helps hold up the structure, a legal entity that is usually set up by an endowment or trust, which distributes money to support specific projects or organizations, and a type of cosmetic which is the base layer for face make-up. What these have in common is that they form the basis of something, a fundamental aspect upon which everything else depends.
"Yesod" is also associated with the genitals, with generative energy, that force which produces new life. We have been gathering wisdom for the past five weeks, this is the week where it starts to come together, starting to become ready to receive what will be newly revealed on Shavuot.
We are relying on our foundations during this time of protecting ourselves and others. They hold us up when we feel down, confused or lonely. We practice keeping our physical foundations strong, even though we may not be leaving our homes--video exercise, yoga and stretching all strengthen our base. We are discovering new ways to build our emotional foundations, using technology to reach out in new ways. We have many opportunities to enhance our intellectual grounding, since allocation of our time is altered. With the brain fog reported by so many people during the quarantined time, the social pressure to produce, expand our knowledge or be productive challenges our cognitive foundations. And spiritually, this is the time to seek the underlying stability, the steady, predictable, firm and unwavering basis of our faith.
This is the week to remember that good foundations are not rigid, but are flexible, responding to changing conditions. Certainly we are all being challenged by the circumstances of stay-at-home life, by the necessity to adapt in ways we never could have anticipated and for which we were not prepared. This period of time tests our patience, and our flexibility. We can rely on each other, and the combined sturdiness of each of us, our Yesod for support.
Rabbi Min
The book, Counting the Omer is a Kabbalistic meditation guide to understand the in-depth meanings of each of the forty-nine days between Pesach (Passover) and the Shavuot celebration of the revealing of the Torah. Rabbi Kantrowitz follows Kabbalistic guidelines to show how the unique values of the sephirot interact each day, giving the reader insight into the strengths of the day. Through this guide the reader is led to meditate on the mystical qualities of life and self. Available at Amazon