We are going to do something different today.

The second night of Passover starts the “Counting of the Omer.” From Chabad’s website:

Basically, between now and 49 days from now is a process we count to when Shavuot happens; which is where to Torah was given. And my torah thoughts have their genesis (pun intended).

The cycle is broken down in one week incitements with themes:

Week 1 of the Omer represents Hesed (love)

Week 2 represents Gevurah (discipline)

Week 3 represents Tiferet (compassion)

Week 4 represents Netzah (determination)

Week 5 represents Hod (humility)

Week 6 represents Yesod (bonding)

Week 7 represents Malkhut (dignity)

As we move forward on our journey – the idea of Hesed – and love and kindness is a great one to start with.

Each day there is ALSO a theme. Today is “love of love”

From Chabad:

Examine the love aspect of love. The expression of love and its level of intensity. Everyone has the capacity to love in their hearts. The question is if and how we actualize and express it.

Ask yourself:

What is my capacity to love another person? Do I have problems with giving? Am I stingy or selfish? Is it difficult for me to let someone else into my life? Do I have room for someone else? Do I allow room for someone else? Am I afraid of my vulnerability, of opening up and getting hurt? How do I express love? Am I able to communicate my true feelings? Do I withhold expressing love out of fear of reaction? Or on the contrary: I often express too much too early. Do others misunderstand my intentions?

Whom do I love? Do I only love those that I relate to and who relate to me? Do I have the capacity to love a stranger; to lend a helping hand to someone I don’t know? Do I express love only when it’s comfortable?

Why do I have problems with love and what can I do about it? Does my love include the other six aspects of chesed, without which love will be distorted and unable to be truly realized.

These are great questions as we enter into Passover! And a new journey along the “narrow straight” of leaving our personal Egypts.

What are your thoughts?