Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 24 Nisan, 5784 –Day 9 of Omer
Parsha ‘Aharei Mot – “After the death”: (Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30) 

Good morning! Today, on the ninth day of the Omer, we focus on “Gevurah of Gevurah” – Discipline of Discipline.

From Chabad:

Examine the discipline factor of discipline. Is my discipline disciplined or is it excessive. Do I have enough discipline in my life and in my interactions? Am I organized? Is my time used efficiently? Why do I have problems with discipline and what can I do to enhance it? Do I take time each day for personal accounting of my schedule and accomplishments? Does my discipline include the other six aspects (see here for more on these traits), without which discipline cannot be effective and healthy?

Exercise for the day: Make a detailed plan for spending your day and at the end of the day see if you’ve lived up to it.

For me, Gevurah also means strength.  My heart hates the idea of discipline and strength. My heart is soft. It is loving and kind. But as we focus on this journey, can we find spaces in our hearts to see discipline as strengthening our hearts to love more fully? Can I create more space in my soft heart with doubling down on discipline? This is the reflection for me this morning.

And. Can I make sure to see the full picture of discipline. Discipline has value. Setting a schedule is important. But if we ignore loving-kindness, harmony, endurance, humility, bonding, and sovereignty? The discipline becomes the center and it isn’t.  This is what doubling down on discipline can do for us.

What are your thoughts?