Today marks the eighth and final day of Passover. In Israel and in most Reform communities, many Jews only observe seven days of the festival. Interestingly enough, the year I lived in Israel, Passover ended on Friday evening, so everyone spent an additional day observing the holiday simply because we couldn’t purchase any chametz until the end of Shabbat! Whatever your minhag (practice), however many days you observe, I hope that it was a beautiful holiday filled with enriching seders, conversation, company, and reflection.
Today is also the seventh day of the counting of the Omer, the seven week period between Passover and Shavuot. Each week represents one spiritual quality and each day is also assigned its own divine characteristic. As we wrap up this first week of counting, which is associated with חֶסֶד chesed (goodness or kindness), this seventh day is מַלְכוּת malchut (majesty). To me, this day represents the highest and richest kindness that exists within us, an inner chesed so great it can be felt by everyone around us. The rabbis taught that malchut could mean both high exaltedness but also its converse, humility; we can be our best, highest selves without making too much of a fuss. Simple acts of love and kindness go so far in bringing our world—and ourselves—closer to God.
Today, on this seventh day of the Omer, on this day of majestic kindness, how might you offer this enriched love and goodness to those around you? Perhaps there is an argument with a sibling or a close friend that needs to be squashed. Maybe a spouse, child, or parent needs an extra serving of love and affection. However you imagine this elevated goodness, make one attempt today at bolstering your own spirit by emanating this quality in your own life and relationships. As Pesach concludes and we continue our journey through the desert towards the Promised Land and the holiday of Shavuot, may we feel encouraged to make special time for reflection during these Omer days. Wishing you a happy conclusion to Pesach and a meaningful day of reaching for malchut she’b’chesed.
— Cantor Emma Lutz