The mystics of our tradition saw great meaning in the counting of the Omer. In its cycle of 7 days, counted 7 times, they saw a parallel to the sefirot, Divine attributes of Kabbalistic understanding. Each week, then, was dedicated to a particular attribute, and each day of that week focusing on the intersection of 2 Divine attributes. This week, we focus on yesod: rootedness and foundation. 

Today is the 39th day of the Omer.

Netzach she-b’yesod: Endurance through rootedness

Also, if one attacks, two can stand up to him. A threefold cord is not readily broken!

— Ecclesiastes 4:12

What holds you together? This is a question that seems to have taken on even more meaning over this past year+, as so many of our routines and connections feel like they are strained or broken. As our worlds were forced into constriction for many months, I think we all had to consider which of our commitments were unshakable—and which, perhaps, were less important than we had thought before.

The rabbis of the Mishnah, writing around 200 CE, reflecting on the words of Ecclesiastes, saying:

Anyone who is engaged in the study of Bible, and in the study of Mishnah, and in the desired mode of behavior, i.e., he performs labor and generally acts in an appropriate manner, will not be quick to sin, as it is stated: “And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

For them, the unshakeable commitments were to Divine connection through Torah study, commitment to Jewish life and practice through Mishnah study, and to our relationship with humanity and the world around us through the ways we behave in that world. I would guess most of us would add family, friendship, justice, and love—but do we see ourselves in these commitments?

As we begin to emerge from this phase, we have the chance to put those reflections into practice. What holds us together? What in our lives cannot be broken, and how do we put our energy towards those commitments? Because it is in those commitments that we are most rooted, and through those commitments that we will endure.

— Rabbi Sari Laufer