This week’s counting of the omer is symbolically connected with the sefirah of Yesod, foundation. One of the foundational principles of the Torah, and thereby a foundation of Jewish living, is “v’ahavta l’reachah kamochah” (Leviticus 19:18), “you shall love your fellow human being as yourself.” There are two ways to approach this phrase, depending on whether we view the ideal model of treatment comes from how we treat others or how we treat ourselves. For some, this phrase is a calling to share their gifts of love and kindness with the world; for others it is a reminder to treat ourselves with the same care and respect that we give.
The values which make up the foundation of what Limmud is as a movement, calls on us to express, “v’ahavta l’reachah kamochah” as a bifocused calling. Responsibility is mutual at Limmud, and everyone is called to show up as both a learner and a teacher. Even disagreements at Limmud are expected to be engaged in as a greater good rather than a selfish endeavor. Limmud reminds us that we both show up for ourselves and each other in equal measure. May we all approach the receiving of the Torah with a renewed commitment to live in this liminal foundation of love for both ourselves and our fellow.
