The 49-day Omer journey is one of the most powerful processes I have ever engaged. It is spiritual, metaphysical, earth-centered and embodied all at once. It is a connection between divinity and earth.

As we conclude our Second Night Seder we begin this count of the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot. Once agricultural, the mystics evolved it into a spiritual journey to cultivate greater internal divinity, preparing us first to meet the Infinite One at Mt. Sinai, then fueling us for the work beyond. This year we need this journey more than ever.

The mystics engaged the Sefirot – Emanations – with which the universe and we are composed. Each represents and holds Divine qualities. Hesed, for example, is lovingkindness, compassion and grace. Hesed begins Week One of our Omer process.

Your Omer Journey 5785 is a virtual course to guide us as we walk this path. Through seven gatherings we will deeply explore the sefirah of the week, delving into its mystical and practical applications, preparing us for the energetic opportunities available to us. It will be accompanied by a written guide including embodied, earth-centered, teachings for each day’s practice. It is a remarkable journey. I look forward to sharing it with you.

Sessions will be held 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Eastern on the following dates:

*Wednesday April 9

Sundays, April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25

*Session 1 will be held early as the Omer counting begins during hag (holiday) on the Second Night of Passover.

This year the theme of Passover is more urgent than ever. The people of our country are experiencing losses of freedom in work, faith, ethnicity, race, sexual and gender orientation, education, freedom for the future of our planet, freedom over our bodies, freedom to vote, even freedom to speak. We must respond to this takeover. We must do it with love and with urgency, with intensity yet kindness, never losing sight of the goal of a world a community of love and care. We must cultivate – for ourselves and for the freedom of others – ferocious love.

I have teamed with Designer + Art Historian Alva Horton and colleagues Rabbi Rachel Hertzman, Cantor Lizzie Shammash, and my husband and cantorial soloist, Michael Greenwald, to bring you these pages to enhance your Passover Seders and the weeks and months to follow with the messages of caring for the self and caring for all of creation with passionate goodness.

May these readings and this holiday bring us to a greater sense of internal freedom and help ground us in our strength and our joy as we work for freedom for all.

Blessings for a zissen Pesach – for sweet liberation.

Ferocious Love is a supplement you can download and print as a companion to your Haggadah.

You can pre-order here. NOTE: Initially you will receive a download link that WILL not be for the supplement. We expect to send the supplement by April 2nd and you will receive it in your email.