Omer 2025 Day 5

Day 4 | Day 6

Day 5: Nurture the Wow: Finding Spirituality in the Frustration, Boredom, Tears, Poop, Desperation, Wonder, and Radical Amazement of Parenting by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg
Hod in Chesed, Humility/Glory in Loving-kindness

I read this book two years ago in my previous job as part of a Jewish parenting program that we hosted for parents of young children. Special thanks to Rabbi Viki Bedo for introducing us all to the book and leading the discussions. The author, Rabbi Ruttenberg, does an excellent job of lifting up the mundane aspects of parenting (and of life in general) and demonstrating how they can be imbued with spiritual significance. Every year I say that hod is the most difficult of the sefirot, because it requires us to understand the seeming opposites of glory and humility as one. And, honestly, if anything is going to teach you how to understand hod, it's parenting. Watching my kids grow up is a daily exercise in glory/humility in loving-kindness, and Rabbi Ruttenberg provides a framework for holding onto those moments as they pass by at rapid speed.

Omer 2025 Day 4

Day 3 | Day 5

Day 4: Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Netzach in Chesed, Endurance in Loving-kindness

The Harry Potter series essentially boils down to a story about the enduring power of love. Harry's parents' love remains as a protective force over him long after they have died, saving him time and time again from Voldemort. Harry's love for his friends, his godfather, and others keeps him from losing himself in difficult moments.

"To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever." -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

 

"You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly in times of great trouble?” -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

 

"You're the one who is weak. You will never know love or friendship. And I feel sorry for you." -Harry Potter to Voldemort, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

    

"You are protected, in short, by your ability to love!" - Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Omer 2025 Day 3

 Day 2 | Day 4

Day 3: The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Tiferet in Chesed, Beauty in Loving-kindness

"Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I came back to it again and again, finding warmth and comfort in the emotional connection between a boy and his toys. The velveteen rabbit begins its life as a beautiful toy, but love and constant play turn the rabbit into a worn, old thing. Still, the boy's love for the toy doesn't fade with its beauty. Those imperfections are signs of fun and love. Even when the rabbit becomes real, he stays near the boy and the boy recognizes something of the love in him, sensing familiarity.