This came home to me the last time I hosted omerblog, back in 2011. At our Weekday Meditative Service, we explored Rabbi Min Kantrowitz's explanations of the Sefirah of Yesod, Foundation. I repeated my contention from the Day 36 post that Yesod, Foundation, felt more abstract than many of the others, such as Netzach/Endurance or Hesed/Lovingkindness. But -- happily! -- many of those who came to that service disagreed. They found Yesod/Foundation to be very immediate and understandable. They and we reflected on all of the ways that having a firm foundation in many areas of our lives -- inner and outer -- is essential. I was and still am grateful for all the wonderful insights we shared.

If we understand Tiferet to be, as before, Harmony or Inner balance , then we might focus today (May 23) on the balance and harmony that it takes to create a firm foundation.

When I do structured, premarital counseling with couples, we focus carefully on some of the elements of a firm, lasting relationship foundation: effective communication, conflict resolution, assertiveness and active listening and so on. Although "chemistry" and attraction may initially bring couples together, it takes a conscious commitment to building these fundamentals, step by step, to create the strong foundation of a lasting relationship. And all of these elements involve inner balance: between listening and expressing, between my needs and the needs of my significant other,

What are some of the foundational elements of your most important relationships -- to other people, to your job, to being Jewish, and how does inner balance figure in those foundational elements?

Your thoughts?

SF

Tags: Tiferet, Yesod