We have reached Omer Count – Day 19. We meditate on the characteristics of hod of tiferet.
Back in 2012 Rabbi Yael Levy expressed these words in a blog called Mishkan Shalom:
“Take notice of the sky and the glorious luminance of the day.
Listen to the silence.
Forgive yourself, forgive others.
Remember that everything changes and unfolds in its own time.“
RECOGNIZE THE BEAUTY OF HUMILITY
This is a poem that captures the essence of Hod. Today’s meditation of Hod of Tiferet is recognizing the ability to be compassionate and giving but with humility. Here is yet another point of view with the same conclusions: https://www.jesuitswest.org/spirituality/spirituality-and-ethics/virtue-ethics/the-beauty-of-humility/.
This means recognizing that God has given us all the gift of giving to others. It is our privilege to do this without looking down or considering the one that we are giving to as being less than ourselves.
There is a certain element of beauty that comes from this type of giving. It destroys any acts of haughtiness. This giving takes arrogance as far as the east from the west.
TRUTH WITH HUMILITY
If acts of compassion bring us to a point of superiority in our own eyes; we have not truly shown compassion at all.
As a matter of fact, we may even be participating in a form of self-worship and simply deceiving ourselves in the process.
True compassion with humility begs the following quesitons:
Do I look down on those who need my compassion?
Is there a way I can show compassion and remain anonymous with my giving?
Did I maintain the dignity of the person I was showing compassion?
Were they able to receive from my generosity without guilt or regret?
Am I showing compassion in light of my own perspective or from a heavenly perspective? The following article tells how Moses showed compassion for Israel and offered himself in their place. https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/obedience-humility-and-faithfulness/, now that is true compassion. If you want to know an even deeper compassion, consider Jesus on the cross dying for our sins. Moses was only a shadow and type of what Jesus did. There could be no truer example.
NO ROOM FOR EGO
There is no room for ego in Hod. True compassion shows that you are actually “with” the person you are showing compassion to.
For instance; you must let yourself sit in their seat, walk in their footsteps and begin to understand where they are coming from. It is a kindness that must be developed with patience over time if it is to be true and not superficial.
Truth is introduced to this mix of compassion with humility. Truth faces the reality of each moment with accuracy and real compassion.
WORD PICTURE
In order for the priests of old to better appreciate each stone that was laid down in the building of The Holy Temple; the priest in charge was commanded to preside barefoot.
This would mean that he would constantly feel the stones of the Temple under his feet with each step he took in his ministry. He would always realize the truth in how those stones were laid. Thus, he would gain great respect for each and every stone that made up the Temple as he served.
CALL TO ACTION
Are you busy with serving the spiritual living stones that make up the living Temple of God today?