Purification - A Mindful Jewish Moment

As we journey through the Counting of the Omer, we are invited to refine and elevate our inner lives. In this 90-second meditation, Kerith shares a teaching from Rabbi Israel of Rizhin, guiding us in the sacred work of purification.

Rabbi Israel of Rizhin taught that purification is not about becoming perfect, but about polishing the soul to reveal its inner light. Each day of the Omer offers a step in this process, helping us cleanse our hearts, align with our highest values, and draw closer to the Divine.

This meditation offers a gentle moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your truest self during this holy season.

Take a moment to breathe, purify, and elevate your spirit. Watch now and share how your Omer journey is unfolding.

Transcript

Rabbi Israel of Rijin taught about the counting of the Omer,

The ritual counting of the days between Pesach and Shavuot,

That the Hebrew word usfartem,

Counting,

Should remind us of the word safir,

Sapphire.

During the seven weeks of the Omer,

He suggests,

We can sharpen and purify our thoughts,

Like the clarity and brightness of a sapphire.

Rest your eyes,

Relaxing body and breath.

Picture in your mind's eye a deep blue sapphire.

Notice the sharpness of its facets.

Notice the light that penetrates the stone and the light that glints off the stone in brightness.

With each noticing,

Assign the noticing itself a number or a Hebrew letter,

Thinking,

I noticed once,

I noticed two times,

Or I noticed aleph,

I noticed bet,

Etc.

With each noticing moment,

Allowing the clarity and brightness of the stone to shine forth.

This is an invitation for clarity to arise through purification of the thoughts.