Friday Nissan 18 5703, * 3rd day of the Omer **
Torah Lessons (5703)	Chumash: Acharei Mot, Shishi with Rashi. Tehillim: 88-89. Tanya: Now, all his (p. 215)...been stated previously. (p. 217).

Patach Eliyahu is said before Mincha, but not Hodu (p. 124/125).

In 5608 (1848) the Tzemach Tzedek delivered a Maamar on the verse "If you lend money..." [1] The Hebrew word Kessef ("money") connotes the soul, because the soul has a desire and longing (Kossef) to rise to the heights.

This is expressed in the passage, "It is the spirit of Man which rises upward to the supernal heights." [2]

"Man" (Adam - in this verse) refers to the souls of Israel, as in the statement, "You (Israel) are called adam." [3]

The soul is "on loan" to man, and it is written "Days are formed" [4] i.e. there is a fixed number of days that each man shall live, and if one day is missing - one garment is missing. [5]

   

Notes:

1. (Back to text) From today's Torah-reading; Sh'mot 22:24.

2. (Back to text) Kohelet 3:21.

3. (Back to text) Yevamot 61a.

4. (Back to text) Tehillim 139:16.

5. (Back to text) Performance of mitzvot during life provides "clothing" for the soul.

   * This day marks the birth, in 5638 (1878), of Rav Levi Yitschak Schneerson of blessed memory, father of the Rebbe Sh'lita.

   It also marks the day of Brit Mila of the Rebbe Sh'lita, in 5662 (1902), at which occasion Rav Levi Yitschak explained at length the inter-relationship of these two events.

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Day three

Tiferet of chesed

There is love and there is beautiful love. True love includes empathy and compassion which makes it a beautiful love. Love is often fostered in expectation of reciprocity. Real love is expressed even when one gets nothing in return; even when the other doesn't deserve love. Tiferet is giving also to those that have hurt you. It acknowledges the discipline of gevurah and says that, nevertheless, compassionate love calls for helping all.

Exercise for the day: Offer a helping hand to a stranger.

From:

A Spiritual Guide to the counting of the Omer

Forty-Nine Steps to Personal Refinement

The Forty-Nine Days of Sefirah

by Simon Jacobson

$7.95 Soft Cover

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