Week 4
1 May | 7 Iyar
"We are worth what we are willing to share with others.”  
– Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
During the fourth week of the Counting of the Omer (Days 22-28 corresponding to May 1-7, 2020) we will be focusing on the middah of generosity.
Understanding Generosity

Many times, when we think about generosity, we think about sharing our money or our time with an organization or individual who is in need. Cultivating this type of generosity is, of course, an important quality. This week, however, we are working with a slightly different dimension of generosity.  Ruach nadivah means “generosity of spirit.” The phrase comes from the Book of Psalms where we read: “Let me again rejoice in Your help; let a generous spirit sustain me” (51:14). What does it mean to cultivate a generosity of spirit? It means that when we perceive that we have been ignored or even insulted, we are willing to suspend judgment, take a breath, check in with ourselves and see if we can maintain an open heart. “He walked right by me without saying hello.” “The rabbi gave that person a hug, but not me .” “She jumped in line right in front of me .” Often, when we are confronted with situations like this, we feel personally slighted, as if the other person went out of their way to make us feel bad. We then rush quickly to judgment and accusation. But the truth is, we don’t know what was going on with that other person. Perhaps she really didn’t see us standing in line. Perhaps the rabbi gave that other person a hug because that other person had just lost someone dear to them and was feeling low. In developing a ruach nadivah , a generosity of spirit, we allow ourselves to let go of the notion that the world revolves around us and owes us certain things. In developing a ruach nadivah , we approach others with less suspicion and more goodwill. When we greet the world with a ruach nadivah , we feel ourselves becoming more forgiving and more open-hearted – to others and even to ourselves.
Cultivating Generosity – An Invitation to Practice
Choose one or both practices for this week of the Omer.

  • During this week, when you feel slighted or ignored by another person, do not rush to judgment or accusation. Remain open-hearted toward the person and notice what this experience is like for you.


  •     Count each day of the Omer this week (Days 22-28) by reciting the following blessing: 
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al s’firat ha-omer.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, who orders the universe, allowing us the opportunity to experience holiness through the commandments and commanding us to count the Omer.

Today is the _____ day of the Omer. May I experience the blessing of generosity this day.
Cultivating Generosity – An Invitation to Meditate
Sit for 10-20 minutes of meditation each day this week. You may listen to the audio or simply set your own intentions during your practice.
Please note: It has come to our attention that our meditation audio files are not currently compatible with some devices, such as iPhones, and iPads. We have reached out to our technology teams to see if we can modify this and make it so that the audio works from any device. In the meantime, to ensure the most high quality meditation experience, we ask that you please access and play the recordings from a computer desktop or laptop. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. We will keep you posted on this situation.
Audio Transcript:

Shalom. This meditation explores the conditions of generosity and open-heartedness in our bodies.

Find your seat. If you are in a chair, sit with both feet on the floor. Feel the earth beneath you. Feel the weight of the seat or ground supporting you. Allow your spine to lengthen. Take a few deep breaths in and out. With each new breath, feel the spaciousness you are creating within. Notice the breath as it moves throughout your body. Bring your awareness to the rise and fall of chest or the expansion and contraction of the belly. Settle your attention on one of these areas for a few moments and feel any sensations that arise. Welcome any sensation with a generous spirit. Allow them just to be.

Now place one hand on your heart and bring your awareness to your heart center. Breathe gently and sense your breath as it flows toward your heart. Notice an expansiveness, a spaciousness, that the breath creates around the heart. You may wish to visualize soft, pastel light or a sense of warmth, or even coolness, pervading the chest.   

Allow the breath to move in and out, just as it is, and ask your heart what it might want to share. Continue to breathe normally and listen. Perhaps your heart will let go of something that you no longer need to hold on to. Perhaps your heart will open in forgiveness. Perhaps your heart will be quiet and simply continue to open … open … open. This is what generosity of spirit feels like. Continue to feel the presence of generosity in your body until the bell rings.
Added Inspiration
The Guest House by Rumi


This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.



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