Reclaiming Judaism as a Spiritual Practice, Jewish Lights Publishing

Yesod sheh b'Gevurah, Omer Day 13, was a Friday and our process of preparing for Shabbat. My entire Jewish identity has its yesod—divine foundation in Shabbat. There's was a time in Europe when I was invited to consider mentoring a couple who wished to become Jewish. They invited us for Shabbos dinner at their home in the woods in a beautiful rural village. Covering their computer monitors and television were hand-needlepointed fabrics with the words "Shabbat Shalom" on them. Much like covering the cage of a parrot to help it sleep silently for everyone's sake. It takes real strength—gevurah—to shut down electronics for Shabbat. Their Shabbat was so high, so real, so sweet and pure...what a blessing to help midwife them on their Jewish path.  I wrote more about them in Reclaiming Judaism as a Spiritual Practice: Shabbat and Holy Days. Enjoy! This has been Omer Day 13.