Counting the Omer: Week 5: Hod by Ketzirah

Originally posted to PeelaPom.com in 2010

For a primer on the Omer see “Week One: Chesed.”  For the schedule of the Omer, see Chabad’s Omer Calendar.

Hod by Angela Raincatcher, used by permission of the artist

The fifth week of the Omer focuses on Hod. This sephira is usually interpreted as Awe, Splendor, or Glory. So that means we’ve journeyed from Chesed (Loving Kindness) to Gevurah (Strength) to Tifereth (Beauty/Compassion) to Netzach (Endurance/Victory) and now to Hod.

Hod, like Netzach is a sephira of movement. They are considered to be the right and left feet on the body.   Where Netzach is the ability to overcome obstacles, Hod is what gives us the ability to feel a purpose in life and feel the glory and awe in accomplishments.  Hod is what gives direction to Netzach.

Once again we look at each of the other seven “lower” sephirot through the lense of this sephira. We begin like every week, with Chesed (loving kindness).

Where is the boundary between a sense of wonder for your accomplishments and arrogance? Are you too driven by Netzach and are just living to endure without knowing why?  Are you making choices in life or just floating from thing-to-thing?  What are you truly committed to achieving?  What do you do that fills you with a sense of wonder?

The fifth week, which explores Hod (הוד) — Glory/Awe, looks like this:

1. Loving-kindness within Glory/Awe
2. Strength within Glory/Awe
3. Compassion (Beauty) within Glory/Awe
4. Endurance within Glory/Awe
5. Glory within Glory/Awe
6. Connection within Glory/Awe
7. Majesty within Glory/Awe

Exploring Hod:

• Chabad: Week 5,Hod
• Kohelet: The Process of Hod, the Whirling Dervish and The Still Small Point
• Sephirat haOmer: Hod in a Snap Pea Flower
• Telshemesh: Omer Calendar of Biblical Women
• Inner: Hod
• Aish: Netzach & Hod
• Wikipedia: Hod
• Dvorah Horn: Omer Paintings

Ketzirah, an ordained Kohenet trained through Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute, is the Director of OneShul.org and.  She is also a maker of sacred art and objects.  You can find her on  Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook, and leading services here at OneShul.