* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
What happens each day and each week during this time of year, the Counting of the Omer between Pesach and Shavuot?
According to Kabbalah and Hasidic thought, each week of the count has its own meaning. Each week is associated with a different character trait, one that we are meant to refine. Let’s try to get a small taste of this idea:
The first week, which is now behind us, was the week of chesed (lovingkindness).
Chesed is boundless love — it is giving, generosity, and looking positively at everyone around us. During the first week of the Omer, it is customary to practice and increase acts of kindness and love in the world.
Now we are already in the second week — the week of gevurah (strength/discipline). After infinite kindness, gevurah represents boundaries.
Gevurah is the ability to say “no,” to stop, to activate an inner “border guard” in every area of life. Because sometimes we need to pause and not get carried away. Sometimes we need self-control in how relate to ourselves and others.
In Pirkei Avot, which is commonly studied during these days, our sages taught: “Who is mighty? One who conquers his evil inclination.” Sometimes the greatest strength is not pushing forward, but holding back.
Therefore, in the second week, it is customary to practice the trait of gevurah. Each person is invited to consider where and when they need to say no—gently and pleasantly, but firmly.
And tomorrow evening, the week of tiferet (harmony/beauty) begins. Tiferet means harmony, integration, balance. It contains both chesed and gevurah — both the desire to say yes and the ability to say no.
This too is something we must practice in order to find the right balance in our lives.
And what is the goal of this journey? To refine seven character traits, one for each week of the counting. In this manner, we prepare ourselves to become worthy of the Torah.
As the Midrash states: “Derech eretz kadmah la’Torah.” Proper conduct precedes Torah, ethical behavior is a prerequisite for receiving the Torah on Shavuot.
May we all succeed in this journey.
