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 17 תפאראת שבתפארת Tiferet SheBeTiferet

Beauty. Equanimity. Splendor. Balance. Compassion. Harmony within Harmony. Compassion. Splendor. Equanimity. Beauty.

1) Red fuzz shimmers on skeletal branches. Dangling tendrils yield to fountains of yellow spray. Weeping cherry blossoms with tears of Compassion. Beauty emerges from underground, causing me to question the word “dormant.”

2) Do not believe for a minute that, just because “we just didn’t talk about those things then,” those things didn’t have an effect, take their toll. Do not believe for a moment that, just because so much time has passed, it is too late. Believe, o believe that the Heart, opened to and through Compassion can find Harmony.

3) Just when you thought the well of Compassion had run dry, you remember to give Compassion to yourself.

May the Splendor of Nature’s rebirth open your Heart. May you find Balance in and through Beauty. May your well of Compassion grow ever deeper.

Omer Day 18 נצח שבתפארת Netzach SheBeTiferet

Omer Day 16 גבורה שבתפארת Gevurah SheBeTiferet