hazzan Diana Brewer was ordained through the aleph ordination program. she leads prayer services regularly at the jewish community of amherst, and is on the staff of the davvenen leadership training institute.

Omer Day 34 יסוד שבהוד Yesod SheBeHod

Foundation. Roots. Grounding. Connection within Gratitude. Awe. Humility. Splendor.

What keeps you Grounded in times of Awe and Splendor? What is the Foundation of your Gratitude? What is the basis of your Connection with Awesome Splendor?

In this uncomfortable time of re-entry from a Hodelicious week, I am very aware of the Grounding forces of my life. A huge part of this is my little family, who were, alas, away upon my return. As I have mentioned many times before, the routines of my recovery life are key in my Foundation. They are both a Foundation of the Gratitude I practice and experience in my life, and Connection to the Awesome Splendor. I was especially Grateful to have this kit of tools as I arrived home, doubly-disoriented to my empty house over the weekend. Also, happily for me, we have bunches of extended family in the area, with whom I was able to spend the afternoon at a Mother's Day gathering. From there, I went to my usual Sunday meeting. Connection. Grounding. Roots.

It is vitally important for me to have stabilizing forces in my life, being a person who could easily be drawn up into the Hodesphere, never to be seen again! I suspect I'm not alone in that - it's a pretty delicious place. Splendid, in fact. And there's a place for it. And I still have much to do as a boots-on-the-ground mother, daughter, wife, friend, student, teacher... I am Grateful to have a day to really focus on Grounding as I continue to process and absorb the events of the last week.

May you be blessed today with your head in the clouds and your feet on the Ground. May your Foundations open Gratitude, and your Awe inspire Connection.

Omer Day 35 מלכות שבהוד Malchut SheBeHod

Omer Day 33 לג בעומר הוד שבהוד Lag B'Omer Hod SheBeHod