So, we have had kind of a string of family emergencies: a death, an illness, an emergency surgery, other drama. This, in the middle of Pesach. We are certainly moving through narrow places and hoping that we are moving forward out of the narrow places. We're tired. Still, we power on ahead- leaving for the East Coast tomorrow to attend to family. Oddly, others have come to me this week wondering what in the world is going on. It seems that there is a lot of calamity, freak accidents, and mischief blowing about in our circle at present.

We are, of course, counting omer. I've written about the meditation for and counting of the omer before.  We are supposed to count the days and weeks from Pesach to Shavuot. (Lev 23:15-16). We count the days from our liberty to the day when we are given The Law. We're supposed to keep up with the count each night. Our Jewish calendar tracks the nights, and there are many online sources about the counting of the omer to help us meditate on its meaning. I have written about the omer here before, so I won't repeat the whole thing here. Tonight, I'm simply thinking about the notion of the counting of the days in wandering being semi-anxious. Plus, during the counting we mark a very sad point in history (Rabbi Akiva's students) and a horrrific thing (Yom HaShoah- The Day of Remembering the Holocaust)...and also happy moments such as Israeli Independence, Yom Ha-atzmaut. So, tonight, I can't help but wondering if this counting can be a source of comfort. With each of the days of anxiety, or fright, or uncertainty of whatever kind...and through the shock of sudden accidents and losses and whatever-may-yet-come, we can hold the certainty that this will be punctuated at some point by mercy, by the coming of some gentle grace and peace.

I read somewhere some time ago (I regret that I can't recall the source as I sit here half asleep) that counting the omer is the appropriate meditation beyond our regular prayer life during these seven weeks now and to come. Counting days and marking the wandering, acknowledging the anxiety of uncertainty along with the hope of deliverance, the crowning of our freedom with Torah. In fact, this meditation does give me some comfort. I hope, in your contemplation of the counting of days, that this will also bring you some comfort. If you have never counted omer before, maybe you might be willing to give it a try. The practice alone of going out and looking at the night sky, and taking a moment to mark your wandering will, if nothing else, give you a moment of pause and introspection in the coming weeks. This, you can try, regardless of your particular faith tradition.

And you drummers.....the meditation possibilities on counting the omer are awesome.  Last night, for example, triplets. Tonight, one-two-three-four...one and two and three and four and...one-ee and a two-ee and a three-ee and a four-ee and a..... and so forth..... Somehow, the counting helps the marching even over rough ground.

Blessings on your journey.